Re-opening of Hammersmith Bridge spurs surge in e-bike use
New data from Lime shows a sharp increase in crossings since April — Story 119
E-bike usage across Hammersmith Bridge has surged since cycling lanes reopened in April, according to new figures from Lime.
You can read the full story, here.
Notes & Thoughts
E-bikes and climate change mitigation
Transport is Richmond borough’s second-largest source of greenhouse gases, responsible for 24% of all emissions, well behind domestic housing at 46%, but still a stubborn share. Like the Mayor of London and the UK government, Richmond council wants more of us to walk, cycle or take public transport.
Progress has been slow. Across London, the share of sustainable travel has been stuck at around 63% for years. Cycling remains a small slice of that mix: in 2024, just 4.6% of trips were made by bike. Yet within that modest figure lies an outsized opportunity. E-bikes, in particular, matter more to younger Londoners. They are adopting them at a rate that hints at real change to come.
My generation may still cling to private cars. The real task is making sure the generation after the next sees sustainable travel not as sacrifice, but as a better way to move through the city.
Lessons for Richmond council
Transport planners already know to encourage more cyclists. Protected lanes. Reduced car dominance. Convenient bike access. Integration with public transport. Political will.
Proof of this mix can be found with Copenhagen’s cycle superhighways and in Seville with their rapid network build-out. Closer to home, The City of London reported a steep rise in cycling.
Hammersmith Bridge now ticks four of the five boxes. The missing one is unequivocal support from leaders: both Hammersmith & Fulham and Richmond councils are broadly supportive of cycling but still hesitant to prioritise it over cars.
Meanwhile, Lime bikes are contributing. It has improved its service in Hammersmith & Fulham, ‘tripling the number of designated parking bays and increasing its on-street team to manage mis-parked bikes’.
Over to Richmond council. It is in the midst of consulting on its new Transport Strategy and renegotiating with e-bike operators.
Other stories about Hammersmith Bridge
💡Bridged2050 proposal
Other Notes & thoughts on the Bridge
Recent news updates
Background on Hammersmith Bridge