Statistics, published by Transport for London (TfL), have shown that the number of cyclists in central London during rush hour will outnumber motorists within the next few years.

The number of cyclists trebled from 12,000 in 2000 to 36,000 in 2014, while the number of car drivers has dropped by more than half during the same period, from 137,000 to 64,000.

The shift from private driving to public transport, walking and cycling, is one which Transport for London claims is ‘a feat unprecedented in any major city’.

Despite the positives that come with more people cycling to work, Thompsons Solicitors is urging Transport for London and the government to make bigger improvements to road safety and more quickly as 20% of those killed or seriously injured on London’s roads are cyclists.

Tom Jones, head of policy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Although there are clear and positive environmental and health benefits to more people cycling, we fear that without the proper infrastructure, there will continue to be serious road traffic accidents and cyclist injuries on a daily basis.

“With figures showing big increases in cyclist numbers, it is vital for the roads to reflect this shift with moves such as segregated lanes and advance stop lines where possible so that cars and bicycles are not at risk of collision.

“It is clearly more important than ever for those whose job it is to safeguard the lives of the London cycling community take note and implement road safety changes. Without immediate and effective action, there will be serious and potentially fatal consequences.”