Massive rise in London cyclists

From the BBC, 05.01.07:

The number of people cycling in London has risen 83% in the last seven years, mayor Ken Livingstone has revealed.

Figures from Transport for London (TfL) showed almost half-a-million journeys are made by bike in London every day.

The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London's roads had fallen 28% since March 2000, TfL said.

On Tuesday Mr Livingstone launched a television advertising campaign "You're better off by bike" to encourage more people to take to the saddle.

On Tuesday Mr Livingstone launched a television advertising campaign "You're better off by bike" to encourage more people to take to the saddle. He said: "London is experiencing a cycling renaissance.

"We can now justifiably call ourselves a cycling city, a proposal that would have seemed ridiculous just six years ago."

He put the popularity of cycling down to record investment, a growing network of cycle and bus lanes and the increased confidence of riders. (Read more.)

This appeared earlier this week. Yet more inspiration from Europe. In San Francisco the mayor needs massive pressure to grudgingly yield a mere half-mile of car-free space--in a park--for only six months a year. Meanwhile in Europe, visionary political leaders are boasting of increased bicycle use as a means to combat traffic congestion.

Perhaps to celebrate London's accomplishment, the 2007 Tour de France will start in the city on the Thames. In 2006, Mayor Livingston said: "Hosting the first stage of the legendary French cycle race will raise the profile of cycling in the capital."

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