In 2012, our game-changing campaign Love London Go Dutch won the case for a totally new approach to cycling. As a result London built its first European-quality protected cycle tracks, separating and protecting cyclists from motor vehicles, and the first ‘Mini-Hollands’ transformed local high-streets by reducing the dominance of cars and creating greener, cleaner, healthier spaces. Mini-Hollands have been the catalyst for today’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, now in use across London.
We continue to campaign for more space for cycling so everyone can cycle anywhere in London on a safe, citywide cycling network. And so we all have the opportunity to live, work, study and play in people-centred neighbourhoods with clean air and safe streets.
The cycle lane along the Embankment is one of London’s busiest, recording over 11 million cycle journeys to date. Cycling on Blackfriars Bridge, where the big North-South and the East-West cycle lanes cross, increased by 55% in six months after the lane was installed and today is used at peak times by 25+ cyclists per minute, carrying 70% of the bridge’s traffic in only 20% of the roadspace. (2011 image of Westminster Bridge above credit Google Maps)
Increase in km of protected cycle lanes in London since 2016
Increase in cycling over Blackfriars Bridge within 6 months
Cycle journeys in London per day - more than the Northern, Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines combined
Orford Road (pictured) has been at the centre of a transformation for Waltham Forest.
Children born in Waltham Forest are now predicted to live longer as a result of reduced pollution levels – an average of 6 weeks longer over their lifespans. The area has seen an 18% decrease in total street crime. Footfall has increased, retail vacancy has fallen 17% and the high street currently has zero vacant units. (2011 image of Orford Road in Waltham Forest credit Google Maps). People living in the new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods do on average 1-2 hours more walking a week, and 15-20 minutes more cycling per week.
Since then, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have been introduced in boroughs across London. Low Traffic Neighbourhood high streets in nearby Hackney have shown an increase in retail spending of 200%, with footfall up and cycling up.
Increase in average life expectancy for children born in Waltham Forest since the changes
More cycling per week done by people living in the new Waltham Forest Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
Vacant shop units on the Low Traffic Neighbourhood high street of Orford Road (pictured above)
WANT MORE?
We've achieved a lot in the past few years, but there's so much more to do. In cities like Amsterdam 36% of all journeys are made by bike. As a charity, our 12,000+ members across London make our work possible. We can't campaign without your support.
KEEP UP TO DATE
