2013 was a rough year for cyclists in London, with no end of controversy. With proposed measures in place for an elevated cycle highway and calls for increased safety for cyclists, what does the future hold for biking commuters in the big city?

SkyCycle

Following existing suburban rail services, the SkyCycle, a proposed elevated cycle highway, will provide 220km of safe, car-free cycle routes, accessible at 200 entrance points across London.

London Cycling Statistics

Here are some useful cycling statistics affecting London cyclists:

• In the morning peak (7-10am), up to 64% of vehicles on some main roads are now bicycles
• 12% of cyclists jump the red light
• £1 billion – that’s the commitment to cycling we are investing in the next ten years
• 9,300 – Almost 9,300 riders (11 per minute cross London Bridge a day)
• 63% of cyclists cycle on pavements to avoid dangerous roads and junctions
• 14 cyclists were killed on London streets in 2013
• 500,000 – That’s the average amount of Boris Bikes hired per month in 2013
• 14% – If just 14% of journeys in Central London were cycled, emissions there, of the greatest vehicle pollutant, nitrogen oxides, would fall by almost a third.

Cycling and Injuries

• Around 75% of fatal and serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas
• 80% of cycling accidents occur in daylight
• Almost one-quarter of the cyclists killed or injured are children
• 40% suffer arm injuries and around 25% suffer leg injuries