London Accelerates Active Travel: New Cycle Routes, Safer Streets, and Healthier Communities

London is taking major strides to become a city where walking and cycling are safer, easier, and more appealing for everyone.

New data from Transport for London (TfL) highlights the progress made over the past year, with significant investments helping boroughs redesign streets, expand cycle networks, and create safer routes for children and pedestrians.

Between April 2024 and April 2025, TfL’s £80.85 million Local Implementation Plan funding supported a wide range of projects aimed at encouraging active travel while reducing congestion and pollution. Highlights include the creation of 51km of new permanent cycle routes, over 400 new pedestrian crossings, and the widening of 12km of footways to make walking safer and more convenient.

Cycling infrastructure has also been boosted with 1,673 publicly accessible cycle parking spaces, alongside 10,000 residential and 900 school cycle parking spots. In addition, more than 16,000 adults and over 51,000 children received training in cycling skills, helping to build confidence on the capital’s roads.

The expansion of School Streets continues to protect young pedestrians, with 150 new schemes introduced in the past year. Bus users have also benefited from 2.8km of new bus lanes and accessibility upgrades at 64 stops, improving journey times and reliability. Elsewhere, seven new traffic reduction initiatives, 26 road closures, and 15 experimental schemes made permanent are helping to cut through-traffic in residential areas, while over 50,000 square metres of new sustainable drainage infrastructure have been installed to manage flooding and support climate resilience.

Looking ahead, TfL plans to roll out 222 additional School Streets and up to 95km of new cycle routes by 2027/28, reinforcing London’s commitment to creating streets that prioritize people over cars.

Helen Cansick, TfL’s Head of Healthy Streets Investment, praised the collaborative effort:"The ambition and dedication of borough officers is clear. Every new crossing, cycle route, and traffic reduction measure directly benefits communities, creating streets that are safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable to use."

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, emphasized the partnership approach:"These results show the power of working together. TfL’s expertise combined with boroughs’ local knowledge is transforming streets across London to meet the real needs of residents."

Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs and Fundraising at Living Streets, added:"Traffic and unsafe conditions near schools often discourage families from walking. By expanding School Streets, improving crossings, and widening pavements, London is giving more people the choice to travel in a healthier and more sustainable way."

This latest data reflects a broader push to make active travel a safe, practical, and attractive option for Londoners of all ages.