10 years on from London’s ‘Vision for Cycling’ plan, how far have we come?

45% of Londoners say their mental health has dramatically improved since they started cycling or walking

CEO and founder of Swytch Technology, Oliver Montague, comments on the UK’s journey to sustainability so far

Ten years on from the introduction of London’s ‘Vision for Cycling’, which sought to encourage more cycling within the capital, it is estimated that the number of journeys taken by bike each day has risen by a staggering 600,000. New research from Swytch Technology – leading engineers who have launched the ‘Swytch Kit’ which allows you to turn any bike into an e-bike –revealed that 45% of Londoners say their mental health has dramatically improved since they started cycling or walking for a regular period of time. On top of this, Swytch’s research also revealed that 36% of Londoners are now walking or cycling to work to reduce commuting costs, highlighting the steady rise in the number of people in the capital making the switch to active travel. As a long term supporter of active travel CEO and Founder of Swytch, Oliver Montague, comments on the rise in the number of Londoners taking up cycling. 

In the last decade, cars have been the dominant mode of transport in London’s crowded roads, until now. A new report from the transportation committee of the City of London Corporation has revealed bicycles are the most common vehicle on the streets during peak times, making up 40% of road traffic at rush hour and 27% throughout the rest of the day. Amidst factors such as consistent train strikes and increasing fuel prices, many Londoners have turned towards methods of active commuting – such as walking or cycling – in order to get to work. The volume of motor vehicle traffic remains at 80% of what it was before the pandemic, whilst the number of cyclists is at a whopping 102% of pre-pandemic levels – according to City of London’s report. Swytch’s latest study highlights how the commuting revolution is slowly turning the tide and getting Londoners out of their cars and back on their bikes. 

Spending hours behind the wheels has also taken a toll on our bank accounts and businesses too, with the INRIX report showing that the average cost of congestion is now £1,377 per driver over the year – a major increase from £980 in 2021. Swytch’s latest study found that 1-in-3 Londoners (35%) can’t afford to commute to the office five days a week, switching to forms of active commuting could lighten the burden that trains and cars are having on the nation’s wallet. This new shift towards alternate methods of commuting is not only being driven by financial motivations, but Swytch’s data also revealed that London’s city dwellers are also environmentally conscious when it comes to getting to work. A staggering 36% of Londoners say they will change to an electric powered mode of transport in the next few years, because fossil fuels damage the environment. 

Oliver Montague, co-founder and CEO of Swytch Technology, comments on London’s shift towards cycling and active travel:

“Although there is still much progress towards a sustainable transport infrastructure in the UK, recent data showing Brits are choosing electric over internal combustion engines shows Brits’ dedication towards a green future. E-bikes are instrumental in the future of sustainable transportation in the UK. Not only are they environmentally friendly, producing zero emissions, but they are also practical and cost-effective for both individuals and businesses.

“As more people turn to e-bikes for their daily commuting and delivery needs, we will see a significant reduction in our reliance on fossil fuels and a corresponding decrease in air pollution. We are proud to be at the forefront of this shift towards a more sustainable future, and we believe that e-bikes will play a crucial role in getting us there.”

About Swytch 
Swytch was founded by engineers Oliver Montague and Dmitro Khroma in 2017 in response to an obvious gap in the market for a sustainable transport solution. The idea first developed when Oliver was cycling to his workplace to meet with his boss. Despite travelling similar distances, Oliver had broken into a sweat whereas his boss arrived impeccably dressed, simply because he was on an eBike.

Oliver now plays a pivotal role as head of the company as CEO and Dmitro leads a world-class London-based engineering team as CTO. Already saving 17,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from previous models, Swytch believes that transport shouldn’t cost the Earth – so they’ve made it their mission to make electric transport accessible to everybody. 

The new Swytch Kit takes you further and faster by converting any regular bicycle into a state-of-the-art e-bike. The conversion kit features a world-first pocket-sized battery (the “Power Pack”) which is similar in size to a large smartphone, weighs just 1.5lbs (700g), recharges in just one hour from your mains power socket, and provides 10 miles range. Increasing the range is as easy as clicking off one battery, and connecting another, or upgrading to the larger battery option available with 20 miles range, and weighing 2.4lbs (1.1kg)