London Has a Plan to Become the Best Big City for Cycling

A new five year Cycling Action Plan explains London's ambitions to become a leading city for cycling—in the name of the environment, traffic safety, and congestion relief.

1 minute read

December 19, 2018, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


London Bikes

csp / Shutterstock

London has announced a new Cycling Action Plan [pdf], which sets a five-year vision for tripling the number of protected cycleways built during the administration of mayor Sadiq Khan.

Carlton Reid reports from a launch event held at a new protected cycleway in the Outer London borough of Enfield, where Mayor Khan and the city's cycling and waling commissioner, Will Norman, were on hand to tout the ambition of the new Cycling Action Plan.

According to quoted statements by Norman, the Cycling Action Plan addresses carbon emission goals along with Vision Zero safety goals. Reid sums up the scope of the plan as follows:

The 59-page Cycling Action Plan sets out how Transport for London (TfL) and at least some of the London boroughs will address poor air quality and congestion, while improving cycling infrastructure to make cycling even easier safer and more accessible for everyone. The front cover of the plan says that TfL wants to make London the “world’s best big city for cycling.”

Monday, December 17, 2018 in Forbes

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Man in teal shirt opening door to white microtransit shuttle with cactus graphics and making inviting gesture toward the camera.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps

New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

June 13 - U.S. Department Of Transportation

Group of people at table set ouf with picnic food on street during a neighborhood block party.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors

A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

June 13 - The Kansas City Star

Crowd gathered with protest signs on April 5, 2025 on steps of Minnesota state capitol protesting Trump cuts to social security and other federal programs.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us

Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.

June 13 - Shelterforce Magazine