Cycling has seen a massive surge in the last decade, with an 85 per cent increase in the number of west Londoners choosing to ride to work.

Westminster saw twice as many workers hop on their bikes for the morning commute between 2001 and 2011 - a jump to 5,092 - according to latest Census analysis. The government released the figures this week after crunching the numbers.

In Hammersmith and Fulham, this number rose by 80 per cent to 7,103 and by 74 per cent in Kensington and Chelsea to 3,701.

Across London, the number of commuters aged 16 to 74 choosing two wheels over cars or public transport more than doubled to 155,000.

Alex Ingram, co-ordinator at HF Cyclists which is part of the London Cycle Campaign said it was good to see an increase in cycling to work but more journeys could still be made outside working hours.

“Taking into account changes in working population, growth in cycling is more like 25 per cent between 1991 and 2001 and 50 per cent between 2001 and 2011,” he told the Chronicle.

“There are many other forms of cycling, for other journeys such as going to school and going to the shops.

“We have seen many interventions in the borough for cycling but despite many decades of investment, as far back as the early 1980s, we have no comprehensive network and major junctions remain unsolved. The opportunity to further increase the ability for people to choose cycling by providing space for it is huge.”

HF Cyclists has welcomed the Mayor of London’s proposals to improve transport links around Hammersmith Broadway, but said better access for cyclists was still needed at the Shepherd’s Bush Green/Holland Park roundabout.

Mr Ingram said improving safety at major junctions is a key way of encouraging less confident riders and people of all ages to choose to cycle in London.

Lilli Matson, of Transport for London, said: “The growth in cycling in the capital is something to shout about, and we are pleased that more Londoners than ever are benefiting from being on two wheels.

“To encourage more people onto bikes, we recently announced a £300 million Better Junctions programme .

“On top of the 33 junctions identified as part of our Better Junctions programme, we are fully committed to delivering an extensive programme of improvements for all road users across London in the coming years, including potential changes at Holland Park roundabout.”