London Borough of Waltham Forest
The Pitch
By studying and emulating the Dutch and Danish models of bikeable cities, the London Borough of Waltham Forest aimed to improve residents’ health and mobility options by restructuring traffic crossings, adding bike lanes and improving public green spaces.
The Problem
Heavy flows of traffic—caused by high rates of private car usage—and poorly marked crosswalks created dangerous walking and cycling environments and increased air pollution levels in London. Poor air quality paired with inaccessible and unsafe active mobility infrastructure contributed to poor health outcomes for residents.
The Process
- Created a comprehensive Cycling Action Plan designed to increase cycling and improve livability and public health
- Secured funding through the Mini-Hollands scheme and the Borough Cycling Program to install new crosswalk structures and more bike lanes
- Introduced outreach initiatives to encourage safe biking practices among residents and school children
- Partnered with businesses to provide them with bikes to use for deliveries
The Impact
- Improved road safety for pedestrians and cyclists
- Created 29+ kilometers of safe bike lanes
- Facilitates more direct journeys in every direction, linking employment and social centers
- Established a network of 430 bike hangars—containing 540 bike parking spaces—within residential areas and near train stations to accommodate increased bike usage
- Installed 51 modal filters in residential areas, creating quieter and safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists
- Introduced 145 blended crossings that prioritize pedestrians (over sideroad junctions) as well as 62 pedestrian and cycle shared crossings; these improvements regulate motorized traffic flows and create an accessible environment for walkers and bikers
- Improved 37 public spaces, created 31 pocket parks and planted 700 trees—increasing access to green space, mitigating urban heat and improving air quality
- Provided free safe cycling training to 22,000 residents (including 12,000 school children)
- Introduced an “All Ability Cycle Club” that expanded cycling access to 300+ people of all abilities
- Increased bike usage among residents
- Helped Londoners become healthier by encouraging exercise, minimizing pollution and increasing green spaces and tree cover along bike paths
