My ambition to adopt a Vision Zero approach focuses our efforts on road danger reduction – primarily targeting the sources of road danger, rather than the potential victims. The danger posed by pedal cycles (in terms of risk and severity of injury) is inherently less than that posed by motor vehicles. The best way to reduce the incidences of cyclists breaking the law or riding dangerously is to provide high-quality cycle infrastructure which TfL’s Healthy Streets portfolio is delivering.

TfL works in partnership with the police, providing substantial funding to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC), which carries out enforcement and engagement on an intelligence-led basis across the capital.  

TfL funds officers within the MPS Cycle Safety Team to engage and educate all road users and to conduct roads policing enforcement against unsafe and irresponsible behaviour.  This team is the MPS lead on the award-winning Exchanging Places events, which allow the opportunity to get into the cab of a large vehicle to get a better understanding of what the driver can and can’t see, especially in regard to cyclists and pedestrians close to the vehicle.

TfL also funds Bikeability and Cycle Skills courses. The majority of Bikeability is delivered at schools, but many boroughs also offer holiday courses and family training. All London boroughs offer free Cycle Skills sessions to anyone who lives, works or studies in London, and four sessions are available to suit cyclists’ needs. More information can be found on the TfL website https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycling-in-london/cycle-skills