Walking and Cycling in London
Many of the trips (46%) made by London residents are under a mile and nearly 85% are less than five miles. Most of all trips by car (55%) are less than two miles long. There is therefore clear potential for cycling and walking to replace some short car and public transport trips.
In addition to high number of short trips and a relatively flat geography London has more parks and green areas than any other city of a similar size in the world, making the journey to work by walking or cycling even more pleasurable. Given that 32% of London householders own a bike and only 3% have never ridden a bike there is great potential for London to realise its Walking and Cycling potential.
The London Walking Plan and the London Cycling Action Plan respectively are the strategic documents to realise this potential.
London Walking Plan 2004
The Plan seeks to increase the modal share of walking trips under two miles by 10%. It will achieve this by realising the following 6 Objectives which will increase the city's walkability
- Improving co-ordination and inclusiveness in the Walking Plan development co-ordinate delivery and further develop the plan to ensure pedestrians needs are being met
- Promoting walking educate and inform the public, via published material and campaigns
- Improving street conditions draw up guidelines, develop integrated pedestrian networks and deliver improvements
- Improving developments and interchanges develop guidelines and measures to improve pedestrian conditions at new developments and interchanges
- Improving safety and security implement safety and security measures to help pedestrians
- Plan delivery and monitoring: Timely delivery of the Mayor's vision will require significant funding and resource input at the regional and local level.
London Cycling Action Plan 2004
There are many other indicators suggesting that London has a high potential for being a cycling city. Bicycle ownership is high with approximately 1.4 million bicycles owned in London. Around 32% of households in London own at least one bicycle. _ Most people know how to ride a bicycle. A recent survey of commuters at Waterloo station found that of 2000 individuals interviewed (all over the age of 16), only 3% had never ridden a bicycle. London's geography is ideal for cycling, as Central London and many parts of Inner and Outer London are relatively flat.
Objectives of the London Cycling Action Plan:
- Introduce quality conditions on the London Cycle Network plus (LCN+)
- Increase cycle access, cycle safety and cycle priority
- Increase cycle parking provision
- Support innovative cycling schemes
- Promote cycling and its status
- Incentives and support for target groups
- Increase mutual awareness and respect between cyclists, pedestrians and other road users
- Promote cycle links and interchange schemes
- Optimise the contribution to cycling from other schemes
- Improve co-ordination and partnership
