Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Eyes on the Street: London “Cycle Superhighway” Teems With Bike Traffic

Good Morning, London. This is what London's Blackfriars Bridge looks like #cyclesuperhighwaypic.twitter.com/byAMWq1QLz

— Sustrans London (@SustransLondon) May 17, 2016

In case you're looking for a good visual to show how bike lanes can be extremely efficient transportation infrastructure, check out this short video from the UK-based advocacy group Sustrans. It shows rush hour on the Blackfriars Bridge "cycle superhighway" in London on a Tuesday morning.

London has been building out a network of "cycle superhighways" since 2008, but only in the last couple of years has the city started to emphasize physical protection from motor vehicle traffic in its bikeway designs. Here's a look at what the Blackfriars Bridge bike lane looked like before a recent upgrade.

Bicycling in London has risen dramatically in recent years, with bikes now accounting for about a fifth as many trips per day as the Tube, according to Transport for London. In addition to better bikeways, policies like congestion pricing and slow speed zones have made the city's streets safer and more appealing for people to get around by bike.

Hat tip: NACTO, Jacob Mason

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Mamdani’s Free Buses Plan Faces ‘Uphill Battle’ in Albany

The fight over free buses could be an early barometer of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Hochul's ability to compromise.

December 16, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: The Public Realm Edition

Renewed calls for a Deputy Mayor for the Public Realm. Plus other news.

December 16, 2025

Boston’s New ‘CharlieCard’ Raises Privacy Issues in an Age of High-Tech Tracking

The new CharlieCard provides several benefits, but riders should also be aware of the military vendor that's operating the new system.

December 15, 2025

Delay By Design: ‘Major Transportation’ Law Still Gums Up Street Safety Projects

A law from the 2000s bikelash still makes it harder to make streets safer.

December 15, 2025

State Pol’s ‘Manhattan Safety Plan’ Emphasizes Daylighting and Protecting Bike Lanes

A new safety plan from State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez puts the streets front and center.

December 15, 2025
See all posts