Three new Quietway cycle routes, enabling cyclists to travel through safer, less busy streets across the capital, have been officially launched today as new figures show cycling in central London grew by eight per cent in the last year.
With toxic air in London causing thousands of premature deaths every year, expanding London’s Quietway network is a key part of the Mayor’s plans to get more Londoners cycling and reduce car use. Since becoming Mayor, Sadiq has already delivered 140km of new cycling infrastructure including 100km of new Quietway routes.
Quietways are continuous, well-signed routes on less-busy streets across London. They complement fully segregated cycle routes that TfL are also building on main roads across the city. Being able to ride safely through London’s backstreets away from busy main roads is one of the ways of enabling more people of different ages and backgrounds to cycle more often.
New figures from Transport for London show cycling levels in central London between April and June 2018 grew by eight per cent year-on-year, from 173,045 daily journeys to 187,345 daily journeys – the highest quarterly level recorded since measurements began in 2014. In its first week of opening, Quietway 2 which runs between Bloomsbury and Waltham Forest, more than 24,000 cycle journeys took place, with bikes accounting for an average of 43 per cent of road users, rising to 70 per cent in the morning peak.
The new Quietway routes have been delivered in partnership and were officially opened today by London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, Transport for London (TfL) and borough leaders from Southwark, Newham and Redbridge.
Quietway 14 – a 2km route connecting Blackfriars Road and Bermondsey which will eventually connect to Deptford and Thamesmead. Five main roads are now safer to cross by bike or on foot and two streets have been closed to motor traffic.
Quietway 22 - a 6.5km route connecting Stratford High Street to Cycle Superhighway 3 at Newham Way via West Ham and Plaistow Park.
Quietway 6 - a new 6.5km route connecting Wanstead Flats and Barkingside via a newly-built bridge in Valentine’s Park, and a new two-way cycle track on Forest Drive.
Sadiq’s aim is to increase the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport in London to 80 per cent of journeys by 2041, compared to 64 per cent now. Analysis by the Greater London Authority shows that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, it would save the NHS £1.7bn in treatment costs over the next 25 years.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted these three new Quietway routes are being officially opened today as part of our growing network across the capital. Given the damaging impact toxic air has on our city, it is vital that we do all we can to enable more Londoners to cycle and reduce journeys by car.
“The latest figures show that Quietways are leading to a big increase in cycling with 24,000 bike journeys on Quietway 2 within its first week of opening. It is great to see that Londoners of all ages and abilities are embracing the opportunity to ride safely on backstreets and now many more people will be able to benefit.”
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Director of Transport Strategy, said: “We’re committed to working with all of London’s boroughs to deliver high quality cycle routes across the capital and it’s fantastic to see London’s cycling network grow so rapidly. These new routes will not only help connect people cycling to a huge swathe of London and encourage more people to take two wheels, but they will make the capital a more pleasant place to walk and enjoy.”
Cllr Richard Livingstone, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport Management and Air Quality, said: “Southwark Council is committed to getting people cycling and walking and our new Quietway 14 route is specially designed to help people take their first step, or pedal, to the shops, the library, or to school. Walking and cycling are wonderful ways to stay healthy, and to fit exercise into your daily routine, while also helping to clean Southwark’s air. I hope Q14 will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and start taking short trips on foot or by bicycle.”
Cllr Rachel Tripp, Newham Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, said: "I am delighted to be working so closely with the Mayor of London to encourage people to switch from polluting transport to active travel by foot or by bicycle. We know that in order to change behaviour, we need to provide safe and attractive places where people want to walk and cycle, and Quietway 22 is a vital part of that.
“Quietway 22 delivers a safe, family-friendly and traffic-free connection, spanning 6.5 km, for cyclists and pedestrians linking Stratford High Street to Cycle Superhighway 3 at Newham Way via West Ham and Plaistow Park. It is now more important than ever for all of us to switch, wherever possible, from polluting journeys in private vehicles, to ways of travelling which are better for our health and for the planet."
Cllr John Howard, Redbridge Council’s Cabinet Member for Civic Pride, said: "Quietway 6 is a landmark piece of cycling infrastructure in Redbridge. It provides a safe and quiet route for residents across the borough and will get more people and families to cycle rather than take trips in their car. It will encourage an active lifestyle and reduce traffic and air pollution around the borough. I certainly will be making use of this positive addition to Redbridge and hope that others who love cycling will do too.”
Matt Winfield, London Director at Sustrans, said: “It’s fantastic to see another 15km of route added to the growing Quietways network, making cycling and walking easier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. As the delivery agent for Quietways, we’re proud that the evidence shows they’re working. More and more of us are getting about under our own steam, improving our health and reducing congestion on our roads. But to help solve the capital’s pressing problems, many more of London’s neighbourhoods must be transformed to work better for people walking and cycling. London boroughs, who own most of the streets in the capital, must not shy away from making bold choices to make that possible.”