City of London Cycling Up 50% in Two Years: What's Behind the Boom?

The City of London just released some pretty incredible numbers. Daily cycling has jumped from 89,000 people in 2022 to 139,000 in October 2024. That's a 50% increase in just two years.

To put that in perspective, there are now nearly twice as many bikes as cars on the streets during the day in the Square Mile. The financial district has quietly become one of London's most bike-friendly areas.

What Changed?

The boom isn't happening by accident. New cycle paths and dockless cycles have boosted cycling numbers, while motor-vehicle traffic is down 5% since 2022.

Lime and Forest bikes now account for one-in-six bikes on the City's streets, with dockless hire cycle schemes quadrupling in use since 2022. These orange and green bikes are everywhere now, making it easy for people to hop on a bike without owning one.

The infrastructure changes matter too. Protected cycle lanes and better connections mean people actually feel safe cycling through areas that used to be car-dominated.

The Air Quality Win

Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough - air quality improvements in the area, with the number of locations exceeding nitrogen dioxide targets falling to two in 2024 from 15 in 2019.

More bikes, fewer cars, cleaner air. The math is pretty straightforward, but seeing it happen this quickly in such a busy area is impressive.

Beyond the City

The jump in cycling in the City of London is ahead of the rise in the broader central London area, which is up 12% since 2023. The financial district is leading the charge, probably because workers there have decent incomes and flexible schedules that make cycling more viable.

The morning commute from places like Clapham or Islington into the City makes perfect sense by bike - direct routes, no Tube delays, and you arrive feeling awake rather than compressed.

What This Means

This isn't just about transport numbers. When cycling becomes normal in the most business-focused part of London, it sends a signal. Bankers and lawyers cycling to work in suits normalises it for everyone else.

The dockless bike surge is particularly interesting. People are clearly more willing to cycle when they don't have to worry about storage, maintenance, or initial bike purchase. Just grab, ride, and leave.

The Practical Barriers

One thing that still puts people off is gear storage. You can hire a bike easily now, but what about a helmet? Most people don't carry one around just in case they decide to cycle.

This is exactly the problem our folding helmet solves. Instead of planning your whole day around cycling, you can make spontaneous decisions. Tube strikes, nice weather, or just feeling like getting some exercise - the helmet folds down into your bag until you need it.

What's Next

The 50% increase shows cycling infrastructure actually works when it's done properly. Protected lanes, bike hire schemes, and treating cycling as normal transport rather than extreme sport makes all the difference.

If the City of London can become bike-friendly, anywhere can. The question is how quickly other areas will catch up.

The financial district becoming a cycling hotspot feels like a turning point. When the most car-obsessed part of London goes bike-mad, you know something fundamental is shifting.