Are Londoners getting on their bikes?

10 SEPTEMBER 2010

How successful are new initiatives like the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme and the Cycle Superhighways so far? 

The London Assembly Transport Committee is conducting an early progress check to assess the initial impact of the new cycling schemes, looking at how any problems are being addressed and the potential for expansion and extension.

In advance of a public hearing next month, Londoners are encouraged to share their experiences of the cycle hire scheme and the superhighways by completing a short survey.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Val Shawcross AM, said:

“It’s early days but we want to make sure the cycling schemes are working well and look at what improvements are needed, especially as there are proposals to expand them.

“A big part of our investigation is hearing from Londoners themselves about hiring bikes or cycling on the superhighways and I hope people will share their experiences with us through our survey.”

The Mayor has called 2010 the ‘Year of Cycling’ and has made a high-profile commitment to increase the 500,000 daily trips currently made by cyclists in London to 1.5 million by 2026.

The three main cycling initiatives are the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme - launched on 30 July;

The Barclays Cycle Superhighways – two of the 15 Superhighways which are intended to link inner and outer London to the City were launched on 19 July; and Biking Boroughs – launched in January in outer London to encourage local cycling initiatives.

The Committee will gather monitoring data from Transport for London and Serco (which administers the cycle hire scheme) as well as views from Londoners and cycling and sustainable travel organisations in advance of a public hearing on 12 October 2010. The Committee’s findings will form the basis of further work next year.

The terms of reference of the investigation are: 

  •  To examine the initial impact of the Barclays Cycle Superhighway and Cycle Hire Schemes; and
  •  To examine any issues arising from the early implementation and consider the solutions proposed; and to assess the potential for, and issues to address, in any further roll out or expansion of the schemes.

Notes to editors:

  1. Please complete our survey here. 
  2. Full background paper available as Item 10 here:
  3. Val Shawcross AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview.  See contact details below.
  4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Julie Wheldon / Lisa Moore in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4228/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.