Cycling in Kingston scores well on progress report

A report by Kingston Council has shown that the number of people cycling in the borough has increased significantly in the past 12 months and steadily since 2014.

Kingston received £32 million from the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) and to ease the growing pressure on the borough's transport network by improving cycling facilities and road safety, while at the same time enhancing the borough’s public spaces.

This funding is managed through the borough's Go Cycle programme and the 'Cycling in Kingston Annual Report 2019' forms a key part of the ongoing monitoring between the council and TfL.

The report provides a cycling snapshot in Kingston for borough officers, stakeholders and the public. This first report outlines baseline findings (for 2015-16) and findings from follow up surveys.

Councillor Hilary Gander, Kingston Council’s portfolio holder for sustainability, said:

“Kingston is committed to being one of the most openly accessible places to cycle in London and we are pleased to see that Kingston residents and visitors are engaging with cycling and taking to their bikes in record numbers. Our investment in cycle routes, thanks in part to TfL funding, will ensure that Kingston continues to provide safe and convenient cycling routes for commuting and for pleasure.”

Main findings:

• The insights shared in the report are highly encouraging, as the increased take-up of cycling in Kingston coincides with the completion of key cycleway schemes within the Go Cycle Programme.
• The top four reasons that people cycle are because it is healthy, enjoyable, saves time and saves money.
• Existing cyclists in the borough are most satisfied with the reliability of their cycle journey and the time it takes to travel by bicycle.
• In 2017/18, the council completed cycle training with 424 adults and 1,717 children compared to 348 adults and 1,594 children in 2016.
• Cycling and active travel have been shown to improve mental and physical well being. In addition, improving air quality has health benefits which, in turn, has economic benefits.
• The report shows increased levels of perception of safety, and confidence with the willingness to cycle enhanced by the attractiveness of new pedestrian and shared spaces of the public realm.
   

Read the full report on cycling in Kingston.