London,
30
January
2013
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hackney is capital's top cycling spot

Hackney residents are the keenest cyclists in London according to newly released figures from the 2011 Census.

One in seven residents now use a bike to get to work, more than use a car.  In some areas of the borough as many as 20% of people cycle to their job. This is three and a half times higher than the average across the capital.

Councillor Feryal Demirci, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and the Council’s cycling champion said: “It's fantastic that more Hackney residents are cycling than ever. We will continue to make every effort to make cycling as safe and easy as possible in Hackney, encouraging drivers and cyclists to share the roads. Our continued investment in safety and infrastructure has been key to encouraging so many people to choose a green and healthy option as their main form of transport."

In recent years, the Council’s commitment to making Hackney a cycle-friendly borough has seen changes made to road layouts to reduce rat runs and make them safer for cyclists; the introduction of 20mph speed limits on all residential roads; cycle skills training in the borough’s schools and development of the pioneering Safer Urban Driving course for HGV drivers.

Residents and people working in Hackney are also able to benefit from free cycle training, from sessions for complete beginners to one-to-one skills training.  For more information, visit www.hackney.gov.uk/cycle-training or call 020 8356 6594.


ENDS