Campaigners argue London’s network remains patchy and uneven in quality, and unlike Amsterdam, more cycle tracks, junction redesigns, crossings, and better Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are needed to boost safety and uptake.

Specific issues include conflicts with large vehicles in bus lanes, unclear road markings, pedestrian incursions in cycling spaces, and interactions with other cyclists.

London’s safety concerns are more pronounced than in other parts of the UK, driven by narrow roads, bus lanes, unclear markings, and mixed use by pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport for London reports expansion of cycling infrastructure to 435 kilometers of dedicated lanes and a 13 percent rise in daily cycle journeys since 2024, totaling about 1.5 million journeys per day.

Overall, 43 percent of riders report feeling unsafe while traveling by bike on London streets, despite ongoing investments.

A survey based on data seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service shows almost half of London’s cyclists still feel unsafe on the capital’s roads, despite substantial investments in cycle infrastructure.

TfL highlights ongoing investment in walking and cycling, including more than 150 million pounds this year, plus safety projects such as 46 Safer Junctions and ongoing Cycleways expansions with current routes largely protected from traffic.

Advocates emphasize that the network’s variability requires more cycle tracks, redesigned junctions, safer crossings, and routes through low-traffic zones to approach Paris and Amsterdam standards.

Experts warn that as the network becomes safer and more direct, a broader cross-section of people may start cycling, with daily journeys potentially rivaling about half of all Tube journeys.

London cyclists face a complex mix of challenges, including conflicts with drivers in narrow streets, bus lanes creating danger zones with large vehicles, unclear markings, infrastructure gaps, pedestrians in cycling areas, and friction with other cyclists.

London’s cycle network has grown significantly since 2019, with a 43 percent increase in journeys, yet campaigners say more work is required to reach levels seen in cities like Amsterdam.

The same survey finds only 55 percent of London cyclists feel that public bike schemes are safe for general use, underscoring concerns about rider safety with shared or docked programs.