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Three new Quietway cycle routes, enabling cyclists to travel through safer, less busy streets across the capital, have been officially launched today.
Quietway 14 through Southwark, Quietway 22 from Newham Way to Stratford High Street and Quietway 6 from Wanstead Flats to Barkingside are now open.
Expanding London’s Quietway network is a key part of the Mayor of London’s plans to get more Londoners cycling and reduce car use.
Since becoming Mayor, Sadiq Khan has already delivered 140km of new cycling infrastructure including 100km of new Quietway routes.
He said: “I’m delighted these three new Quietway routes are being officially opened today as part of our growing network across the capital.
“Given the damaging impact toxic air has on our city, it is vital that we do all we can to enable more Londoners to cycle and reduce journeys by car.
“The latest figures show that Quietways are leading to a big increase in cycling with 24,000 bike journeys on Quietway 2 within its first week of opening.
"It is great to see that Londoners of all ages and abilities are embracing the opportunity to ride safely on backstreets and now many more people will be able to benefit.”
Quietways are continuous, well-signed routes on less-busy streets across London, which complement fully segregated cycle routes that TfL are also building on main roads across the city.
New figures from TfL show cycling levels in central London between April and June 2018 grew by eight per cent year-on-year, from 173,045 daily journeys to 187,345 daily journeys, the highest quarterly level recorded since measurements began in 2014.
The new Quietway routes have been delivered in partnership and were officially opened today by London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman, TfL and borough leaders from Southwark, Newham and Redbridge.
Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of strategy and network development, said: “We’re committed to working with all of London’s boroughs to deliver high quality cycle routes across the capital and it’s fantastic to see London’s cycling network grow so rapidly.
“These new routes will not only help connect people cycling to a huge swathe of London and encourage more people to take two wheels, but they will make the capital a more pleasant place to walk and enjoy.”
Khan’s aim is to increase the proportion of people walking, cycling and taking public transport in London to 80 per cent of journeys by 2041, compared to 64 per cent now.
Analysis by the Greater London Authority shows that if every Londoner walked or cycled for 20 minutes a day, it would save the NHS £1.7 billion in treatment costs over the next 25 years.
Councillor John Howard, Redbridge Council’s cabinet member for Civic Pride, said: "Quietway 6 is a landmark piece of cycling infrastructure in Redbridge.
“It provides a safe and quiet route for residents across the borough and will get more people and families to cycle rather than take trips in their car.
“It will encourage an active lifestyle and reduce traffic and air pollution around the borough.
“I certainly will be making use of this positive addition to Redbridge and hope that others who love cycling will do too.”
