Key Points
- Findings released by Cycling Scotland show record levels of cycling on major routes across Glasgow following the implementation of new cycle lanes.
- The local authority has set a target to construct 54km of active travel routes throughout the city by the year 2032.
- Traffic surveys conducted over a 48-hour period in May 2026 recorded 5,637 bikes on Victoria Road, representing a 38% increase compared to May 2025.
- Cycling accounted for 16.6% of all travel methods counted on Victoria Road during the May 2026 survey period.
- Data indicates that more bikes than cars were recorded during all rush-hour travel peaks on Victoria Road, maintaining a trend first established in late 2025.
- Clyde Street and Garscube Road also documented their highest-ever counts of cycle journeys in Cycling Scotland traffic surveys.
- A total of 1,955 cyclists were recorded on Byres Road in the city’s west end, where cycle lanes have been completed between Dumbarton Road and University Avenue.
- Traffic analysis highlights that long-term increases in cycling modal share stem from higher numbers of people choosing to cycle rather than any reduction in overall vehicle traffic.
- The East City Way counter on London Road demonstrated that cycle traffic more than doubled from an average of 300 journeys a day in May 2024 to nearly 700 journeys a day in May 2026.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 17, 2026 – Glasgow’s ongoing rollout of protected cycle lanes has generated record-breaking levels of cycling across key transit corridors in the city, according to comprehensive findings published by Cycling Scotland. The local municipal government has committed to establishing a comprehensive 54km network of active travel routes spanning across Glasgow by 2032, with several major phases already open to the public.
How Have Traffic Surveys Tracked the Surge in Urban Cycling?
Detailed monitoring figures compiled in a report by Cycling Scotland revealed that traffic surveys administered over a strict 48-hour window in May 2026 documented 5,637 bicycles travelling along Victoria Road. This metric marks a 38% increase in bike journeys relative to the data gathered in May 2025, underscoring the enduring viability and popularity of the protected cycling corridor linking the city’s southside to the central business district. Overall, cycling comprised 16.6% of all recorded travel modalities along Victoria Road during the evaluation window.
Further analysis of the route indicates that bicycles outnumbered motor vehicles across every single morning and evening rush-hour travel peak on Victoria Road. This milestone solidifies an operational trend initially identified during baseline traffic assessments conducted in September 2025.
Beyond the southside corridor, other primary arterial routes equipped with newly installed protected cycle lanes experienced substantial milestones. Clyde Street and Garscube Road both registered their highest volume of historic cycle journeys within the framework of Cycling Scotland’s traffic survey metrics.
What Are the Numbers on Byres Road and the East City Way?
In the western quarter of the city, monitoring equipment captured 1,955 people cycling along Byres Road. This count concentrated specifically on the newly finished segment bridging Dumbarton Road and University Avenue. On this stretch of Byres Road, cycling constituted 7.9% of all documented travel methods.
Across all surveyed locations, data analysts observed distinct volume spikes during standard morning and evening commuting windows. This concentration strongly implies that the newly minted physical infrastructure successfully encourages urban residents to adopt bicycles for routine daily travel, such as commuting to and from places of employment.
In parallel with these snapshot surveys, empirical metrics obtained from the fixed cycle counter network validate the sustained, long-term dividends yielded by capital investment into high-grade cycle paths. Specifically, the East City Way cycle route counter positioned on London Road indicated that cycle traffic more than doubled. Average daily traffic moved from 300 cycle journeys per day in May 2024 to nearly 700 cycle journeys per day by May 2026.
This doubling follows significant structural enhancements deployed across the 8km route designed to unite East End communities with the city centre. Upgrades included physical segregation barriers for the cycle lanes alongside the finalisation of a Dutch-style cycle priority junction situated at the intersection of London Road and the Clyde Gateway road.
Background of the Development
The expansion of cycling infrastructure in Glasgow forms a core component of wider regional and national strategies aimed at decarbonising transport and cutting urban carbon emissions. Over recent years, local government bodies, working in tandem with active travel organisations and transport funding bodies, have accelerated the construction of protected urban pathways. Traditional urban planning models across Scotland historically prioritised private motor vehicle transit, which contributed to chronic traffic congestion and elevated air pollution levels in densely populated metropolitan areas.
To counteract these systemic challenges, municipal strategies shifted toward encouraging active travel modes, such as walking, wheeling, and cycling. Projects like the South City Way and the East City Way were conceptualised to provide safe, physical separation between vulnerable road users and heavy motor traffic. These design choices directly address road safety, which research consistently identifies as the primary deterrent preventing members of the public from choosing bicycles for daily commuting.
Predictions and Audience Impact
The continuous expansion and proven utilisation rates of Glasgow’s active travel corridors are projected to generate profound shifts for several key demographics, most notably daily commuters, local businesses, public health authorities, and urban motorists.
For daily commuters, the availability of protected, high-quality infrastructure lowers the barrier to entry for cycling, offering a predictable, cost-effective, and health-conscious alternative to congested public transport and automobile travel. Individuals residing along major arterial pathways can anticipate more reliable travel times during peak hours, unhindered by standard vehicular gridlock.
Local commercial entities situated near these active travel corridors may experience altered customer footfall patterns. Enhanced cycling and pedestrian access typically encourages slower-paced neighbourhood shopping, potentially boosting patronage for storefronts along routes like Victoria Road and Byres Road.
From a public health perspective, sustained increases in active commuting translate into long-term reductions in sedentary lifestyle-related illnesses, contributing to improved cardiovascular health across the urban population and alleviating strain on local healthcare services.
Conversely, motorists traversing these key routes may continue to encounter adjusted road layouts, as lane prioritisation shifts to accommodate protected cycle tracks. While traffic analysis indicates that growth in cycling stems from new users rather than a direct displacement of cars, drivers must adapt to narrower vehicular corridors and altered junction priorities, such as Dutch-style priority layouts designed to protect cyclists.
