The Big Smoke

Since 2000, the number of cycle journeys made on London's major roads has increased by 72% - and by 100% in summer months.

On average, approximately 450,000 cycle journeys are made across London every day - that's 3,150,000 journeys per week.

There’s massive potential for growth. Less than 2% of trips in London are made by bicycle, a fraction of the level in cities such as Berlin (5 per cent), Munich (12 per cent), Copenhagen (20 per cent) and Amsterdam (28 per cent). Half of all trips currently made in London are less than two miles, easily within cycling distance. 51% of Londoners own at least one bike – with 4% owning three or more. Feature continues

In a recent survey, 20% of Londoners questioned declared themselves committed non-cyclists.

While exact causes for most of the 3,033 recorded collisions involving bicycles in Greater London in 2004 were unspecified, 179 occurred when cyclists were turning right or waiting to turn; 82 when turning left or waiting to turn; and 205 when overtaking.

5 hapless cyclists suffered accidents while 'reversing'.

The number of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London’s roads has fallen by 42% over the past seven years. Between January and September 2005, 2,184 cyclists were involved in accidents on London’s roads. 16 were fatal, 252 were serious, and 1,916 were classed as slight accidents.

12% of our poll believes that not using lights or reflective clothing is the most dangerous thing cyclists do. Only a quarter of London cyclists always make sure they’re wearing reflective clothing, and 16% refuse to bother with it at all.

29% of people who responded to our poll say that jumping red lights is the most dangerous thing cyclists do. Which is worrying, since 64% of cyclists admit that they do it at least occasionally. 35% are adamant that they never do it. A worrying 11 people said that they ‘always’ jump red lights – presumably ploughing headlong into a stream of traffic. Of the red light jumpers, 36% check for police first, while 19% are never on the look-out for the fuzz.

Other suggestions for the most dangerous thing cyclists do include ‘hanging off Routemasters’, ‘arguing with aggressive drivers’, ‘pissing me off’, ‘playing chicken with the lions’, don’t ask us’ and ‘taking stupid surveys that will be used to demonise a minority group’