Bike Riders Outnumber Automobile Drivers on London Streets
As the result of an effort to limit automobile traffic and increase cycling, a recent report shows that in the city of London people on bikes outnumber drivers. According to the study for the transportation committee of London, cyclists are now the “single largest vehicular mode counted during peak times on city streets.”
Forbes reports that the primary mode of transportation within the city is still walking. However, “the number of pedestrians is currently below pre-pandemic figures, with the volumes of motor vehicles also 80 percent of what they were in 2019.” The clear progress is with people riding bikes. “Cyclist numbers are at 102 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The number of motorists has fallen by 64 percent since 1999, while the number of cyclists has increased by 386 percent.”
London has continued to restrict car usage in the center of the city, in an effort to encourage more people to walk and ride bikes. The significant increase in cycling numbers seem like proof that people feel much safer riding a bike when they know they won’t encounter car traffic. Also compelling is the fact that the most recent 24-hour traffic count for the study was conducted on a wet and windy day in November, meaning despite unfavorable weather, people still choose bikes.
Road.cc reports that while the reason for the considerable increase in cycling isn’t completely clear, “reasons behind it may include the reduced levels of motor traffic plus improvements in infrastructure prompting more people to ride, some of whom may have bought a bike for the first time during the pandemic and realized how cheap and convenient it is compared to public transport.” It also seems to be a trend that people are using traditional bikes and e-bikes to complete their “final mile” after using public transportation for the bulk of their journey.
Moral of the story, if city officials restrict where cars can go, people will walk and ride bikes, and feel safer doing so.
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