What happened
Cycling in the City of London — the capital’s historic and financial heart — has skyrocketed, with daily cyclist numbers up over 50% from 2022 to 2024. According to official figures, October 2024 saw 139,000 cyclists per day riding through the “Square Mile,” compared to 89,000 two years earlier. That’s nearly twice the number of cars on the road during daytime hours.
Why it matters
This dramatic increase in bike usage isn’t just about greener commutes — it’s reshaping urban transport and improving air quality in one of Europe’s busiest financial districts. The number of locations exceeding nitrogen dioxide limits has fallen from 15 in 2019 to just two in 2024. Fewer cars, less pollution.
What’s driving the change
- Better infrastructure: New cycling paths and routes are making it safer and easier to choose two wheels over four.
- Dockless bike boom: Usage of dockless cycles like Lime and Forest has quadrupled since 2022 — now accounting for one in six bikes on City streets.
- Policy push: London’s congestion charge (since 2003) and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) continue to discourage car usage and nudge commuters toward cleaner alternatives.
The bigger picture
The City of London is leading the cycling revolution. While cycling across central London has risen 12% since 2023, the Square Mile is seeing growth at more than four times that pace. Motor vehicle traffic in the area has also dropped by 5% since 2022.
With health, climate, and urban mobility on the line, the City of London might just be pedaling its way toward the future.