If you’re visiting London and looking for the best way to get around, you must explore the idea of cycling in London!
When you think of London, cycling might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s more fun than you think! We cycled on our last trip to London, and we liked it more than we expected. Cycling in Central London is an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend it.
Keep reading this blog post to figure out how you can cycle in London and see city through a whole new lens.
*Disclaimer* This blog post is made for tourists visiting London. If you live in the city or you’re thinking of moving there, read detailed guides on Transport for London.
WHY CONSIDER CYCLING IN LONDON
There are numerous benefits to cycling in London, and if you haven’t considered it yet, here’s why it can be both practical and enjoyable.
Firstly, it’s very time efficient. With a bike, you can often reach your destination faster than by car, bus, or even the Tube. On top of that, you’ll do it outside in the fresh air, with amazing views of the city.
Secondly, you can save money. While buses are often very cheap, the Tube is definitely on the pricier side, especially if you plan on using it multiple times per day. You can rent a city bike for just over £3 per day, which is the same as one Tube ride.
Thirdly, bikes are way more accessible and flexible than some other transportation options. Unlike public transport, which operates on fixed routes and schedules, cycling in London takes you directly to your destination.
Finally, the sights look even more amazing seen from a bike! Cycling offers a unique perspective of London’s iconic landmarks, and you can see so many of them on a bike. Additionally, you can explore the hidden gems of London that might be less accessible by car or public transport.
WHERE TO GET A BIKE IN CENTRAL LONDON
If you’re only there for a few days, you might be wondering where you can get a bike for a bike ride or two. There are several options for getting a bike in Central London, but here are my favourites.
Santander Cycles
Santander Cycles is a public bike-sharing service in London. With them, you can rent a regular or e-bike at over 800 locations in the city. We used this option and it was a great experience.
How this service works
Firstly, you need to download the Santander Cycles app on your phone. The app will tell you where the docking stations are and how many bikes are available. This way you can easily find the closest docking station to you.
After you reach the docking station, you can rent a bike through the app or over the machine at the docking station. It’s really simple, you just need to follow the instructions. You need to have a physical card with you – they don’t accept contactless.
I would highly recommend you book a Day Pass. The Day Pass is just over £3, and with it you have unlimited 30-minute rides within a 24-hour period. If your ride lasts longer than 30 minutes, there will be additional charges of £1.65 per 30 minutes.
When you’re finished, just leave your bike at any docking station in the city.
If for some reason you’re not interested in Santander Cycles, you can also rent bikes from Lime, HumanForest, or TIER. They all offer app-based e-bike rentals.
IS CYCLING IN LONDON ACTUALLY SAFE?
Cycling in London can be safe, especially if you’re prepared and alert. Central London has heavy traffic, but much of it moves slowly due to congestion, so you should be fine if you cycle carefully.
Make sure you always cycle on the provided bike lanes or through low traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) where the vehicle traffic is reduced. For your own safety, always be visible to car drivers, follow the rules, and stick to the cycle lanes.
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TYPES OF BIKE LANES IN CENTRAL LONDON
Central London has a huge network of bike lanes which make cycling safer and more convenient. Here’s a detailed overview of the bike lanes you need to know about if you plan on riding a bike in London.
Cycleways
Cycleways, or formerly Cycle Superhighways, are high-quality, designated routes connecting key areas of London. They follow the main roads, but they’re physically segregated from traffic, so you can enjoy a safer and more comfortable ride.
These are most of the time the most direct and fastest way of reaching your destination. Cycleways even include traffic lights for cyclists and often give the cyclists the priority of crossing the road. You can find them all over London, and you’ll definitely cycle on them if you choose to rent a bike.
Quietways
If you’re not a confident cyclist but still want to enjoy a bike ride, check out London’s Quietways. These are low-traffic routes designed for less experienced cyclists or those preferring a calmer ride. You will usually find these in residential areas where the car traffic is limited, as well as in the parks such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. We had the best time cycling through Hyde Park.
LEASURELY CYCLING IN LONDON – BEST LOCATIONS
Central London has several scenic and leisurely cycling routes that are perfect for exploring the city’s beauty, history, and green spaces. Here are some of the best spots for a relaxed ride. Make sure you choose the one that’s perfect for you!
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
This is one of the most beautiful and relaxing bike rides you can take in London. Whether you just want to ride along the Serpentine and enjoy stunning views of the lake or you’re there to visit landmarks like the Diana Memorial Fountain and Kensington Palace, seeing Hyde Park on a bike is a magical experience.
Hyde Park is also great for cycling because it has wide pathways and minimal vehicle traffic. Therefore, there’s almost nothing to make you feel unsafe. The most important thing is that you cycle on designated routes (Broad Walk, Palace Walk and Mount Walk), otherwise you can get fined.
Regent’s Park
One of the prettiest parks in London is also a great cycling route. There are two options for you here, the famous Outer Circle and the Inner Circle of the park. If you’re up for a longer ride, the Outer Circle is a 4.5 km loop with light traffic and excellent views of the park. If you want something shorter, the Inner Circle is inside the park, and it’s around 1 km.
While you’re there you can also explore nearby attractions like ZSL London Zoo and Queen Mary’s Gardens.
St. James’s Park and Green Park
These two parks are both close to Buckingham Palace, and are some of the most iconic parks in London. While you cannot cycle through the parks, you can cycle around them, and still get stunning views. You can cycle on peaceful paths surrounded by royal history and natural beauty.
The Thames Path
The Thames Path is one of the most beautiful cycle routes you can take in London, because you get to see the majority of London’s popular landmarks on your bike.
There are two options on this route, you can either cycle on the South or North Bank. Both are equally beautiful, so whichever you choose you won’t make a mistake. I would personally rather take the South Bank because it’s a bit more beautiful, but it’s also a bit more crowded, so if you don’t feel confident take that into consideration.
Both sides are pretty flat and not that difficult, and you’ll get to pass iconic landmarks like the London Eye, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, Tate Modern, and the Tower of London.
CYCLING IN LONDON – OUR ROUTE
We made a mix of a few routes and adapted them to our itinerary and what best fit into our day. Here’s a really easy and beautiful cycling route if you need some inspiration.
We started at Storey’s Gate, Westminster, where we got our Santander Cycles. From there, we cycled down the Horse Guards Road and The Mall. This way, we saw a good part of St. James’s Park and got to the famous Buckingham Palace.
From Buckingham Palace, we continued down the Constitution Hill, past the Wellington Arch and across the road to Hyde Park. While in Hyde Park, we cycled by the Serpentine, the stunning lake in the park.
We crossed the Serpentine Bridge, went down the West Carriage Drive, and exited Hyde Park. We returned our Santander Cycles at Exhibition Road, right next to the Imperial College and found our way to the NHM and Victoria & Albert Museum.
After exploring, we returned the same way to Buckingham Palace, and from there, we used the Birdcage Walk by the St. James’s Park for a scenic drive back to Storey’s Gate, Westminster.
We really enjoyed this route and I would highly recommend it.
RULES FOR CYCLING IN LONDON
Cycling in London is a great way to get around, but there are important rules to follow to ensure your safety. Here’s a few tips on how to cycle in London!
Obey Traffic Laws – traffic signals and road signs in London are your best friends. Make sure you stop at every red light, dismount your bike if needed, and follow the road signs to a t. This is very important even at home, but especially in an unknown city where you haven’t cycled before. Make sure you stay on the correct side of the road at all times.
Use Designated Cycling Lanes – While you can cycle on the main roads, it’s highly recommended you stay on the cycling lanes, Cycleways or Quietways.
Make sure your bike meets safety requirements – even if you’re renting a bike, it’s your job to check if it’s working correctly before you get on it. Ensure brakes work properly and your tires are inflated. Also check if your bell is working, because you’ll need it for alerting pedestrians or other cyclists at some point during your ride. Helmet is optional, it’s not legally required.
Signal your intentions – Use hand signals to indicate turns or lane changes, Left arm for left turn, and right arm for right turn.
Additional tips – don’t weave between vehicles or lanes, slow down in crowded areas, don’t cycle on pavements, and don’t use your phone or headphones. It’s really dangerous.
