Is London Moving Enough? Key Takeaways from the 2024 Active Lives Report
The latest Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey (November 2023-24) provides a comprehensive look at how active England is as a nation. While the headlines suggest the country is moving more than ever, the story for Londoners is a bit more complex.
Are we leading the pack, or are we starting to lag behind? Let’s dive into the data.
The Good News: London is Still Above Average
First, the positive: London remains one of the most active regions in the country.
Active (150+ minutes/week): 64.6% of Londoners meet the recommended activity levels. This is higher than the national average of 63.7%.
Inactive (Less than 30 minutes/week): 24.6% of Londoners are considered inactive, which is slightly better than the 25.1% national average.
On the surface, Londoners are doing well. However, when you look at the trend over the last twelve months, a different picture emerges.
The "Stagnation" Paradox
While the rest of England saw a significant post-pandemic surge in activity, hitting record highs driven by older adults and those with long-term health conditions, London’s activity levels have essentially held steady.
In other words: while the rest of the country is catching up, London’s growth has plateaued. The gap between the capital and the rest of England is narrowing.
The Tale of Two Cities: The Inequality Gap
The most striking part of the report isn't the city-wide average, but the disparity within our own boroughs.
The Deprivation Gap: If you live in one of London’s most deprived areas, you are twice as likely to be inactive compared to those in the wealthiest areas.
Borough Breakdown: There is a massive range in participation. For example, Islington is a standout performer with a 75.7% activity rate (the 2nd highest in London) and a remarkably low inactivity rate of just 14%.
This data suggests that "being active" in London is often a privilege tied to where you live and your access to resources. However, in a previous post I argued that fitness in the capital is more about "forced movement."
The Islington Case Study: Islington’s status as the 2nd most active borough isn't just because of its demographics; it’s because its dense, central layout makes driving a burden and walking a necessity. In these central hubs, you are "active by design."
The Outer Borough Barrier: The "inactivity" the report sees in more deprived areas often correlates with London’s outer boroughs, where the urban fabric shifts. Here, the "forced walk" disappears, and the car becomes the default.
This data suggests that "being active" in London is a privilege of geography. If your borough’s design doesn't force you to move to get through your day, you have to choose to be active, and that is a much harder hurdle to clear than simply walking to the Tube.
The School Gates: A Missed Opportunity?
One of the most interesting barriers mentioned in the regional data involves access to facilities. A huge portion of London’s sports infrastructure, 22% of swimming pools and 32% of playing fields, is located on school grounds.
Currently, only 42% of schools open these facilities for community use. Unlocking these gates could be the key to solving the activity plateau in our more crowded boroughs.
Final Thoughts: What This Means for Us
London is a city that never stops moving, but our "active travel" (walking and cycling to work) hasn't fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. As we move into 2025, the focus for our city needs to be on equity: making sure that whether you’re in Islington or Barking, you have a safe, affordable place to get your heart rate up.
