The City of London counted 139,000 daily cyclists across 30 measurement points last October. That’s up from 89,000 in 2022 – a 50% increase in 24 months. The biggest jump since they started tracking this stuff in 1999. Transport for London saw cycling journeys climb 26% compared to 2019.
Still hunting for parking? Still pressed against strangers on the Tube?
Where Things Actually Changed
Cambridge leads here by quite a distance. Census 2021 shows about a third of workers cycle to their jobs. Roughly half walk or cycle combined. Compare that to the 2% national cycling average and you see the gap. Decades of infrastructure investment created this. A reliable men’s bike turns those census figures into practical transport.
The City of London tells a different story. Cycling went up 70% from 2017 onwards while motor traffic dropped 34%. They exceeded both goals and met their long-term cycling target years ahead of schedule – by 2024 cycling was +70% vs 2017 against a +50% by 2030 target. Peak-hour traffic now consists of 56% cyclists. Dockless bikes quadrupled since 2022, making up one in six bikes on City streets.
Bikes That Get Ridden
Comfort matters more than most buyers expect. An upright position means arriving without back pain. A quality saddle makes the difference between a pleasant journey and three days of regret. City streets are brutal on equipment. Potholes appear overnight. Kerbs stick out at odd angles. Street furniture seems to attack handlebars. Durable frames and reliable components save money and frustration.
Storage capacity separates commuter bikes from recreational ones. Baskets or racks handle laptops, shopping, miscellaneous cargo. Appearance matters too. People ride bikes they find attractive more often. If you want upright city builds with practical racks and baskets, browse the commuter range at Bobbin Bikes UK to compare storage options and fit before you buy.
Routes That Work
Bristol’s Bristol-Bath Railway Path runs 13 miles between the two cities. Traffic-free and flat. London’s cycling network quadrupled since 2016, spanning over 360 kilometres now. Transport for London launched 20 new Cycleways routes in 2023/24, connecting an additional 600,000 Londoners.
York’s Orbital cycle route covers around 14 kilometres, linking parks and riverside sections. Edinburgh’s City Centre West to East Link – roughly two miles of segregated track – opened in March 2024. Cardiff’s Bay circuit provides flat terrain and water views.
Getting Around Safely
Urban cycling needs awareness more than advanced skills. Hand signals communicate intentions. Left arm for left turns. Right arm for right. Bike lanes keep cyclists visible and predictable. When lanes aren’t available, riding about a metre from the kerb prevents getting squeezed.
Route planning helps. Many cities offer cycling apps showing quieter streets and dedicated paths. Front and rear lights aren’t optional after dark. Following traffic signals and giving pedestrians priority makes roads safer.
The Numbers
Financial calculations are straightforward. No fuel, no parking, no insurance. A Zone 1-2 annual Travelcard in London costs £1,788. A decent bicycle costs less and lasts years with basic maintenance.
Health benefits appear consistently in research. Cycling builds cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, lung capacity. Reduces stress more effectively than sitting in traffic. Doesn’t feel like exercise until hills appear.
Air quality data from the City of London Corporation shows improvement. Fifteen locations exceeded nitrogen dioxide limits in 2019. By 2024, only two still exceeded those limits. This coincided with cycling becoming 56% of peak-hour traffic.
Making the Switch
Urban cycling solves specific problems. Daily commutes. Coffee runs. Weekend errands that don’t need car boots. The shift from car-dependent to bike-capable happens gradually. Start with shorter trips. Build confidence. Expand range.
Bobbin Bikes offers a curated collection designed for city riding. Browse their range to find something matching your commute, your style, your version of urban life. The smartest city ride might be simpler than expected.
Last updated on November 6th, 2025 at 02:14 pm
