New data offers a glimpse into how Londoners have changed the way they travel during what has been a record-breaking hot summer in the capital.
With back-to-back heatwaves, a flash drought and temperatures repeatedly breaking records, many Londoners have struggled to escape the sweltering conditions this year.
Across the border, Canadian cities such as Toronto have reported similar upticks in active‑transport usage as residents look for cooler ways to get around.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has reported a sharp increase in passenger numbers during summer 2026, with journeys rising by as much as 83 per cent in late June compared with the previous week, during the height of the heatwave.
Rise in bike and e‑scooter use
Research shared with The Standard found that Lime bike usage rose by 28 per cent at the end of May, during the first heatwave of the year.
The findings also showed that more than half (55 per cent) of Londoners opted to cycle or walk instead of using their usual mode of transport during the hot weather, with more than a quarter (26 per cent) saying cycling was a more comfortable way to get around.
Meanwhile, Voi has recorded a 553 per cent year‑on‑year increase in e‑bike and e‑scooter use across London. The June heatwave alone saw rides rise by 84 per cent compared with pre‑heatwave levels, while journeys on June 19 were up 156 per cent.
Alice Pleasant, senior public affairs manager for Lime, said: "It's the UK's fifth heatwave, and we're anticipating another burst of Londoners turning to Lime to get around the city to cope with the extreme heat. We know soaring temperatures can pose challenges for the Tube and public transport, so many people are looking for flexible alternatives that allow them to stay cool and travel on their own terms."
The heat has been felt particularly on London's Tube and buses this year, with passengers describing conditions on the deeper Underground lines as "sauna-like" as they board carriages armed with water bottles and portable fans.
According to Transport for London data, around 1.145 billion taps in and out were recorded across the network between roughly June 1 and August 1 this year, broadly in line with the 1.163 billion recorded over the same period in 2025.
Shifts on the Underground
Some of the capital's deepest Underground lines recorded declines in taps in and taps out over the period. The Piccadilly line saw the biggest drop, falling by just over 9 per cent in 2026 compared with 2025, followed by the District line at 3.6 per cent, the Bakerloo line at 3.3 per cent and the Victoria line at 2.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, taps in and out increased on the DLR, which saw a 5.7 per cent rise over the same period, the Elizabeth line which increased by 1.8 per cent, the Metropolitan line by 1.4 per cent and the London Overground by 0.9 per cent.
It is impossible to attribute the changes solely to the heat, as service disruptions, strike action and planned maintenance can all affect how people travel. The Piccadilly line, for example, had multiple closures this year for infrastructure upgrades and the testing of its new train fleet, while the DLR has improved its reliability.
In the week commencing June 22, taps in and out fell sharply by around 7.5 per cent compared with the previous week. This was during London's second heatwave of the summer when the Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, and the hottest day of the year was recorded.
Temperatures reached a record 37.7C in Norfolk, while London experienced consecutive "tropical nights", schools were forced to close and the London Ambulance Service reported a 50 per cent increase in 999 calls.
The following week, TfL data shows passenger taps in and out of the network bounced back by 13.8 per cent. The sharp rebound, therefore, suggests something specific to the previous week may have driven the drop.
Nick Dent, TfL's director of customer operations, previously told The Standard: "We're working to ensure our transport services remain resilient in the face of more extreme and frequent hot weather events. We are investing millions as part of our continuous work to improve the network, which includes introducing new trains to meet growing customer numbers whilst providing more comfortable journeys." He added: "We have implemented energy efficient solutions on new trains, which reduce the heat generated. We're constantly looking at how innovative solutions can be rolled more widely on the transport network to ensure more passengers experience cool and comfortable journeys in the summer."