Source of data supporting TFL & Will Norman claim of 37% increase in cycling in Enfield since 2019
Request ID: FOI-2393-2324 Date published: 26 October 2023
You asked
Freedom of Information Request to TfL
Will Norman stated in a tweet on 20 Sept 2023 that cycling in Enfield had
increased by 37% since 2019. He referenced a TfL press release of 19 Sept 2023 Please can TfL release the following information:
1. how this figure was arrived at, the location and scheme name of the cycle counts used, what the baseline figure was – ie 37% or 38% of what?
2. Please also release the data used to make the calculation so that it can be independently verified.
Palmers Green, the only Enfield cycle count site with published data, shows an
increase of c. 10% when comparing Jan-Aug 2019 with Jan-Aug 2023. In terms
of actual number of cyclists, this increase represents an average of 32
additional trips per day or 16 return journeys.
Despite the TfL funding and cycle initiatives of the past 5 years, this is a
worryingly low level of uptake of cycling in Enfield:
- This Palmers Green cycle counter is on the £42m cycle lane, in place for
5 years now,
- it backs onto the huge Fox Lane LTN, in place for 3 years and funded by
TfL,
- free cycle lessons, cycle repairs, cycle storage, etc.
- the brief popularity of cycling in 2020 during the pandemic
- the shift to food delivery cycles, frequently seen on this stretch of the PG
cycle lane as it is close to many food outlets.
and the result is 16 extra return cycle journeys per day.
In view of the current situation re cycling in Enfield please will TfL release the response to the following questions also:
3. Will TfL review its priorities for sustainable travel in Enfield, where
walking and the bus are by far the most used forms of sustainable travel
and where there is no evidence of modal shift towards cycling.
4. Will TfL also adjust its priorities re. LTNs given the Enfield Council LTN
report showing that cycling increased substantially more on LTN
boundary roads and on roads where there was no LTN than it did inside
the Fox Lane LTN.
Thank you
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2393-2324
Thank you for your request received on 4 October 2023 asking for information about cycling in the London Borough of Enfield.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked:
Will Norman stated in a tweet on 20 Sept 2023 that cycling in Enfield had increased by 37% since 2019. He referenced a TfL press release of 19 Sept 2023 Please can TfL release the following information:
1. How this figure was arrived at, the location and scheme name of the cycle counts used, what the baseline figure was – ie 37% or 38% of what? 2. Please also release the data used to make the calculation so that it can be independently verified.
Palmers Green, the only Enfield cycle count site with published data, shows an increase of c. 10% when comparing Jan-Aug 2019 with Jan-Aug 2023. In terms of actual number of cyclists, this increase represents an average of 32 additional trips per day or 16 return journeys. Despite the TfL funding and cycle initiatives of the past 5 years, this is a worryingly low level of uptake of cycling in Enfield:
- This Palmers Green cycle counter is on the £42m cycle lane, in place for 5 years now, - it backs onto the huge Fox Lane LTN, in place for 3 years and funded by TfL, - free cycle lessons, cycle repairs, cycle storage, etc. - the brief popularity of cycling in 2020 during the pandemic - the shift to food delivery cycles, frequently seen on this stretch of the PG cycle lane as it is close to many food outlets. and the result is 16 extra return cycle journeys per day.
The Enfield data was calculated from monthly counts from across Palmers Green. In June 2019 the monthly count was 10,110, and in June 2023 the figure was 13,986. This represents an increase of over 3,000 cyclists or 37% as a percentage. This data is publicly available on the London Borough of Enfield’s website:
We, along with the Borough, remain committed to investing in projects to facilitate more journeys across the borough on foot, by bike and by public transport. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy, (published in 2018), sets out a long-term vision for London to be a place where more people walk, cycle and use public transport to get around,. To achieve this, we need to allocate more road space for sustainable modes of transport where possible, alongside rolling out lower speed limits, effective bus priority and a safer, connected cycle network.
In view of the current situation re cycling in Enfield please will TfL release the response to the following questions also:
3. Will TfL review its priorities for sustainable travel in Enfield, where walking and the bus are by far the most used forms of sustainable travel and where there is no evidence of modal shift towards cycling.
Where TfL has responsibility as the Traffic Authority on the TfL Road Network (TLRN), we are delivering the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which balances the demands for all transport. London bus performance is regularly monitored and managed to ensure that it is safe, affordable, reliable and consistent. Where we have the responsibility for footways and crossings, we regularly review the priorities for safety as part of our Safer Junctions Programme and ensure that new designs undergo rigorous reviews that improve the street environment and deliver Healthier Streets.
We also have a planned maintenance programme to ensure that footways and crossings are checked and repaired.
On roads maintained by the borough, the London Borough of Enfield consult with us on proposed changes and consultation involves TfL specialists, including London bus services, to identify risks and impacts to all traffic. This includes rigorous scrutiny and review of the borough’s designs to ensure that they are safe and reliable.
We also work in partnership with the borough to identify cycle routes that improve London’s cycle network. Where there is a proposal that meets a strict cycling quality criteria, the cycle route designs are reviewed and the project is monitored through to delivery.
4. Will TfL also adjust its priorities re. LTNs given the Enfield Council LTN report showing that cycling increased substantially more on LTN boundary roads and on roads where there was no LTN than it did inside the Fox Lane LTN.
The boroughs propose, prioritise, and deliver Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs). We are consulted on the implementation of LTNs; if an LTN is adjacent to the TLRN or impacts on bus routes, rigorous scrutiny is applied to ensure it is safe and minimises impact to bus services and all road users.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
