Transport for London (TfL) and the London mayor’s office have announced £2.5m funding to boost the number of cycle parking spaces across the city over the next year, with more than 50,000 spaces needed over the next six years to meet demand.

The investment comes after half of Londoners surveyed by TfL said that the lack of cycle parking is one of the main factors that deter them from cycling, with 25% quarter put off by a fear of cycle theft. TfL’s analysis shows there are currently 145,449 cycle parking spaces on London streets and that at least 36,000 additional spaces are needed to meet current demand, with a further 12,000 spaces needed by 2025. 

TfL say their research shows more than half of stations in London either do not have any cycle parking, or do not have enough spaces to cope with demand, despite cycling being at record levels. Town centres in every London borough also need increased levels of cycle parking, with demand also high in residential areas where there is often a waiting list for spaces.

Working with London boroughs, Network Rail, rail operators, businesses and local communities, TfL say they will:

• Improve cycle parking outside stations, with the aim of all stations outside zone 1 to have a minimum of 20 cycle parking spaces within 50 metres of the station;
• Help deliver 1,400 new secure cycle parking spaces in residential areas over the coming year; 
• Invest in new cycle parking across town centres, with eight town centres set to be improved over the coming year;
• Enable more people to park bikes at their place of study. TfL will provide at least 80 schools and two universities with new cycle parking over the coming year;
• Enable more people to commute to work by bike;
• Improve cycle parking facilities for visitors to hospitals, sports facilities, parks, museums and other places of interest.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “I’m delighted that this plan and new investment will help meet the growing demand for cycle parking. Together with our investment in new high-quality routes, we are enabling more people to cycle as part of their everyday routine, making our streets cleaner and greener for everyone.”

Christina Calderato, TfL’s head of delivery planning, said: “Enabling more people to cycle is vital if we are to tackle London’s air quality and inactivity crises, but many people can be put off cycling to everyday destinations such as their workplace, the shops or the station by a lack of space to park their bike. We want to work with organisations and partners across the capital to make sure that every cycling journey begins and ends with a place to park.”