As the capital of the UK, London is one of the largest cities in Europe, making it extremely busy. Naturally, this can make cyclists (and potential cyclists) nervous. However, statistically, cycling is a relatively safe activity. When Cycling UK looked at police figures, road traffic reports, population statistics, and the National Travel Survey, they found that the risk of injury while cycling was only 0.05 per 1000 hours (source). The number of people cycling in London has been increasing at a higher rate compared to Great Britain.
So, how can you stay safe while you enjoy cycling in the capital? Read our guide to cycling in London to find out.
Before your journey
Safe cycling is as much about preparation as it is about riding the bike itself. Get into the habit of checking that your bike is in working order before you set off, and spend some time aside regularly for a more thorough inspection.
Plan your journey—especially if you’ve never completed it—and look for local traffic updates if you need more time. Rushing can prevent you from thinking clearly, leading to costly mistakes.
Inspecting your bike
The charity Sustrans recommends you carry out what they call ‘the M check’ when you want to inspect your bike thoroughly:
- Your rear wheel should be tightly fitted. The quick-release lever (if your bike has one) should be in the closed position. Otherwise, the nuts on either side of the wheel should be secure.
- Your spokes should all be of equal tension. They should not be loose.
- Your tyres should be at the recommended pressure, not soft. If necessary, inflate them with a bike pump.
- Your saddle should be secure in the seat post. To tighten the seat post clamp, use an allen key.
- Your chain should be clean. Dip a paintbrush in some degreaser and run it along the chain length to remove dirt and old oil. Then, wash the degreaser off and dry the chain with a cloth. You will need oil to lubricate the chain, but too much oil can act as a magnet for dust and dirt. Use a bike-specific oil, run the chain a few times to go through all the gears, and remove any excess with a cloth.
- Your pedals should go around smoothly.
- Your stem and front wheel should not move independently. You can stop them from moving by using an allen key to tighten the stem bolts and the handlebar clamp.
- The headset should not rock or click.
- Your brakes should be working correctly. Both levers should move when applied, and it shouldn’t feel like they’re pulling against the handlebar. You can test whether your brakes are working by applying them and then trying to move your bike forward and backward.
- The bike frame should not be cracked or damaged.
- Your front wheel should be secure.
The more frequently you ride, the more frequently you should thoroughly inspect your bike.
For a quick, everyday check, look at the air pressure in your tyres, test the brakes, and ensure the crank is tight and the chain is clean.
Planning your journey
Get into the habit of planning your journey before you leave. Not only will this help you feel calmer and more prepared, but you’ll also be able to spot any potential disruptions to your route. Transport For London regularly updates its website with the latest traffic news, or you could try downloading an app like the one below.
Apps for cycling in London
Citymapper
Citymapper gives you the best route to your destination, including how long it takes and where to lock up your bike once you arrive. It also shows you where there are docks with bikes available to hire.
Availability: Free to download on iOS and Android
CycleMaps
A route planner made especially for cyclists, CycleMaps helps you decide on a route according to your preferences – calm and quiet along smaller streets or faster journey times on bigger roads. Once you set off it calculates your speed, route distance, and time remaining. The app is updated with the cycle lanes’ location and even shows your position on a moving map.
Availability: Free on iOS
London Cyclist
London Cyclist is an app that focuses on bike maintenance in the city. It shows you bike shops, bike rentals, mobile repair centres, and cycling cafés, along with essential information like opening hours and contact details.
Availability: Free on iOS
Ensure you can secure your phone safely on your bike, and don’t get carried away trying to look at what’s on the screen. If you’re unsure which direction to take, stop as soon as it’s safe to do so and check the map when you’re not moving.
What if I don’t own a bike?
There’s still a way forward if you’re interested in cycling around London but aren’t sure you want to buy your bike yet. London’s public bicycle hire scheme, Santander Cycles, allows you to pick a bike from one of the 750 docking stations around the city on any day of the year.
You pay for a 24-hour hire period, which gives you access to as many 30-minute cycle periods as you like. You start getting charged if you don’t dock before the 30 minutes. You can pay by bank card (including contactless) or downloading the app.
How to cycle safely in London
Many of the best practices you need to follow to cycle safely in London are the same as those you’d abide by in other areas: use clear signals, cycle decisively, and stay aware of your surroundings and other road users, for example. Others are more specific to the city.
Leave plenty of space on your left
It’s tempting to ride close to the pavement. However, the more space there is on your left, the more space drivers are likely to give you when they overtake. You will also be further away from car doors, which can be dangerous if opened when you’re riding past them, and you won’t have to suddenly swerve out of the way of drains and litter (such as broken glass).
Wait in the middle of the lane at junctions
Just as it’s tempting to ride close to the pavement, it’s tempting to stop there, too. However, doing this at a junction or traffic lights gives motorists more room to pull up tightly alongside you, which means you’ll have difficulty moving away when the time comes. Don’t be afraid of waiting in the middle of the lane, and look out for designated spots for cyclists at some sets of traffic lights.
London Cyclist also suggests riding in the centre of the lane when you’re at crossroads, approaching roundabouts, and overtaking parked cars.
Pay attention to your surroundings
You must know what’s happening around you – especially in the capital’s busiest areas, where traffic is often flowing in multiple directions. Look over your shoulder regularly so you know what’s happening behind you, and don’t be afraid to make eye contact with motorists. They are more likely to give you space if they can see you’re trying to be vigilant.
Look out for pedestrians, too
Pedestrians may look out for cars and larger vehicles when they cross the road – which means they’re less likely to see you. Beware of anyone who hasn’t noticed you to avoid a collision.
Be confident with all your movements
Cycling decisively is much safer since it makes it easier for motorists and other riders to see what you’re doing or about to do. Check behind you before you gesture, then extend your arm fully so it’s clear that you intend to turn it off.
Watch out for larger vehicles like buses and lorries
All vehicles have blind spots, including buses and lorries. This makes them especially dangerous since they’re larger and can potentially cause more harm. It’s safer to stay back and wait for them to move away rather than moving past them through any gaps.
Remember: Never undertake a bus or lorry, even if there’s a cycle lane. This is one of the worst blind spots for the driver, and you won’t be able to move if the vehicle starts to turn left.
Be ready to brake
The more you get used to cycling, the quicker your reactions will be. But even so, in a busy, bustling city like London, there are bound to be unexpected moments while you’re on your bike – being ready to brake means you’ll react quickly if needed.
Make yourself seen
Wearing bright clothes and ensuring your bike has the correct, legal lights can help motorists and other cyclists see you clearly.
Practise if you need to
Getting back into cycling? Practice on quieter roads before venturing into busier areas of London. It may even be worth looking into a cycling training scheme for adults to build your confidence.
What cyclists must remember when they’re in London
- You can be fined £50 if you go through a red light. Always stop in plenty of time.
- You’re not permitted to cycle on the pavement or up a one-way street (unless there’s a marked cycle path).
- There are trams around the Croydon area. Always cross the tracks at a right angle to avoid slipping or getting your wheel stuck, and make sure you look for and listen for trams. They can be very quiet.
The best cycle routes in London
Encouraging Londoners to cycle has long been a priority for Transport for London and the city’s mayors. Providing safe and enjoyable routes, whether quick and practical for commuters or more scenic for those cycling for leisure, is one way of doing this.
Travel website Culture Trip recommends the 7.5-mile Tamsin Loop in Richmond Park for cyclists of all abilities or the little-known route along the River Lea to the Olympic Stadium or Victoria Park.
For a bigger challenge, try making your way out of Central London to tackle Box Hill, part of the Olympic route 2012. It’s also worth seeing if you can make the East-West Cycle Superhighway part of your everyday route. It was designed with cyclists in mind and takes you through some of the city’s nicest parks.
Cycle parking in London
As cycling becomes more popular, people know they must invest in private cycle storage, so you may already have somewhere safe to keep your bike.
As well as the cycle parking available at train stations, offices, and university campuses, Transport for London lists six cycle parking locations:
- Finsbury Park Cycle Hub is a 24-hour, CCTV-monitored hub with space for 147 bikes. You must apply for membership online
- London Wall, 176 free spaces in a 24-hour, staff-manned car park
- Baynard House, 106 free spaces in a 24-hour, staff-manned car park
- Tower Hill car park, 52 free spaces in a 24-hour, staff-manned car park
- Minories, 15 free spaces in a 24-hour, staff-manned car park
- Heathrow Cycle Hub, 400 free cycle parking spaces around Heathrow
Safe, secure cycle storage is a significant factor in people’s decisions about whether or not to ride their bikes regularly. Be sure to browse The Bike Storage Company’s range of BREEAM-compliant cycle storage today and see how we could enhance your commercial project.
