Cycling data suggests rise in bike use in European cities

New figures from France, Italy and the UK demonstrate uptick in active travel
By Mike Woof February 16, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Amsterdam led the way in making bikes an integral part of city life (© ITS International | Adam Hill)

The latest data from France shows an increase in cycling for mobility. There has been a 5% growth in bicycle use in France, according to a report by the association Vélos & Territoires. Both conventional bicycles and e-bikes figure in this increase in cycling, according to the data. The utilisation of bicycles increased 7% during the week and by 6% in urban use compared to 2022. New cycle lanes in Paris as well as restrictions on the use of private cars have further helped increase levels of cycling in France’s capital.

And according to data from Transport for London (TfL) cycling in the UK capital shows a 20% increase in cycling in 2023 compared to 2019. The Travel in London report shows a growth in cycling, following on from the rise during the Covid-19 pandemic. TfL says that while overall cycling numbers have climbed, there have been changes in the characteristics of these journeys. The average length of cycling trips has decreased, indicating a shift towards shorter, more localised travel. In addition, there is a higher proportion of off-peak travel compared to before the pandemic.

In Italy, meanwhile, further boosts for cycling are expected with the development of the Apulian aqueduct in Puglia, which will see a total 192km of cycle routes. The project is being managed by AQP, with financing of €35 million being provided by regional funds and NRRP funds. The new sections will deliver a cycle path on an aqueduct, forming part of the National Cycling Route No 11.

The growth in cycling will help in the reduction of transport emissions, particularly in large cities such as Paris and London. This will also help to boost public health and boost productivity. Amsterdam and Copenhagen have set the lead in encouraging cycling in urban Europe but are now being followed by other cities. However, questions remain over the safety of cyclists due to poor standards of driving. And the layout of many cycling facilities is also in question, with too many routes not meeting safety standards and clearly not having been designed by people who actually ride bicycles.

Mass Transit & MaaS Classification & Data Collection Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Venkat Sumantran: ‘Smart cities are more hype than reality’
    November 23, 2018
    For all the talk of smart cities, investment in systems lags significantly behind organic expansion in most places. Andrew Stone talks to Venkat Sumantran, who has been looking at how to create a coherent framework which could help authorities answer multiple mobility questions Two megatrends are posing unprecedented challenges to those trying to keep people moving around the world’s urban areas now - and in the years and decades to come. The first is rapid urbanisation. One in six of us lived in urban a
    Read More
  • How the metaverse will transform the future of mobility
    March 15, 2023
    Digital development has never been as rapid and disruptive as it is today. The metaverse and technologies such as AR and MR will transform our lives and businesses - including transport planning and shaping the mobility ecosystem, says Christian Haas of UMovity
    Read More
  • Dubai metro - the world's longest automated rail system
    July 31, 2012
    David Crawford reviews the recent opening of Dubai's Red Line. The US$7.6bn Dubai Metro, the Phase I Red Line of which started partial operation in September 2009, will be the world's longest driverless rail system on its planned completion in 2011. With a total length of some 75km, it will then overtake the 68.7km Vancouver SkyTrain and be able to carry over 1.2 million passengers on a typical day.
    Read More
  • Adaptive control reduces travel time, cuts congestion
    January 20, 2012
    Situated in San Diego County, California, the growing city of San Marcos has seen its population increase by 53.5 per cent since the turn of the century. Although this dramatic population increase has spurred economic growth bringing new business, homes and opportunities to the city, it has also increased traffic congestion along its central corridor, San Marcos Boulevard. This became the most congested arterial in the city, and, by 2006, the second-most travelled corridor in San Diego County.
    Read More

Highlighted Content