TfL announces two cycle routes from Chingford to Walthamstow

The first new cycle path runs through Ainslie Wood, while the second goes via Highams Park, reports Rana Rastegari

Transport for London (TfL) has launched 10 new ‘cycle lanes’ across London, adding 35km to the city’s strategic cycling network. Two new routes have been added to Waltham Forest’s already extensive network of cycle paths, which TfL says are designed to make cycling safer and more accessible in the capital.

The first new cycle paths in the borough will link Chingford to Walthamstow via Ainsile Wood, connecting cycle route 24 (Tottenham Hale to Woodford New Road) to the north of the borough.

The second cycle path in Waltham Forest will also link Chingford to Walthamstow, but via Highams Park, creating a new link from the north to the south of the borough.

Since 2016, London’s cycle path network has tripled in size from 90km to 390km by June 2024. The network provides high-quality routes for Londoners to encourage greater diversity in cycling.

Other cycle paths also being added include the introduction of the network in Barnet, linking Burnt Oak to Colindale. The Lambeth Bridge to Battersea route will also be improved along Chelsea, Embankment and Grosvenor Road and will connect to the Cycleway between Oval and Pimlico.

Cycleway 9 (Hammersmith to Brentford) and Cycleway 23 (Dalston to Lea Bridge), two of the largest cycle paths in London, are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

TfL has also created new easy-to-use maps to show where all routes are and how they connect to create local networks, following the introduction of Cycling Sundays. The completion of these new tours follows the completion of Cycle Path 4 in March, allowing people to cycle from London Bridge to Greenwich.

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The latest preliminary safety data from earlier this month showed that the number of people injured while cycling fell by 5.7% between 2022 and 2023, while the number of daily bike rides increased by 6.3%.

Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Expanding London’s cycle path network is vital to enable more Londoners to choose cycling as a mode of transport for shorter journeys. These ten new routes connect communities in areas such as Stratford, New Cross, Barnet, Walthamstow and Ealing and will support Londoners of all backgrounds and abilities to cycle safely as the Mayor builds a fairer, safer and greener London for all.”

In March 2024, TfL announced a walking route from Walthamstow to Peckham, the Green Link Walk, which is 15 miles long. The walk stretches across five boroughs and passes through London hotspots such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern and Regents Canal. The Walk London network and cycle path network aim to create safer routes for Londoners and improve health and wellbeing, as well as access to green and community spaces.

Helen Cansick, head of TfL’s healthy streets investments, said: “We’re really pleased to see a network of Cycleways continue to emerge across more of London, helping to unlock safer cycling for all Londoners. These high-quality cycling networks provide a range of benefits for local communities and we continue to work closely with boroughs and invest in further active travel programmes. We look forward to connecting even more Londoners to our cycling network and making cycling more accessible for everyone.”

More information about the new cycle paths can be found here

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