It’s no secret that London is one of the world’s best travel destinations. While the weather might not be all that great, the attractions, energy, and nightlife of the city more than make up for it.
And if you’re a cyclist, then you’re in luck. London has invested heavily in its bike lanes, making it one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. With that said, this is still a city, so it can take a little getting used to if you’re used to cycling in the mountains.
But anyone who takes the time to cycle London will find that it’s more than worth the effort. After all, it offers an experience that is unlike what any other transport options can offer. Plus, you’ll just see more — the tube is handy for zipping around the city, but you’ll miss a lot if you’re continually underground. London deserves to be seen from street level.
OK, that’s enough preamble out of the way. In this post, we’ll run through some handy tips that’ll ensure you have a friendly and fun bike trip around England’s capital.
Rent a Good Bike
If you’re bringing your own bike to London, then you can ignore this bit. But in all likelihood, that won’t be possible. It’s also not really necessary. There are plenty of bike rental shops that can give you a great bike at a good price.
Note that it’s worthwhile reading Google reviews before deciding which bike rental shop to get your bike from. You’ll want to have a good bike to ride no matter where in the world you are, but in London, it’s an absolute necessity. Plus, there’s nothing worse than discovering that your bike ain’t all that when you’re in the middle of nowhere; London is difficult to navigate as it is, and you don’t need the added complication of a broken-down bike too!
Don’t Forget the Helmet
Now, if you’re an experienced cyclist, then we probably don’t need to tell you to wear a helmet. But we’ll remind you anyway, simply because cycling in a city offers an even heightened threat of being involved in an accident.
How bad that accident is will depend, in large part, on the safety gear that you’re wearing. Wearing your helmet could be the difference between simply dusting yourself down and getting back on your bike, or having to go to the hospital. The bike rental shop will provide a helmet for you to use — and if they don’t, then take your business somewhere else!
Travel Light
It’s not only more fun to travel without a big bag on your back — it’s safer, too. Traveling as lightly as possible will ensure that you’re as nimble as can be when you’re zipping around town, and it’ll also allow you to cycle for longer, too. Without a big bag on your back, you’ll be able to cycle all day.
Look at just packing a light backpack with the essentials you’ll need, such as a water bottle, umbrella, and so forth, and leave the rest in the hotel. Planning to cycle around London after you’ve checked out of your hotel, but before your flight? Look at leaving your bags with a luggage storage London service near where you’ll be returning the bike at the end of the rental period. That way, you can simply return the bike, pick up your heavy bag, and continue your journey. It’s much better than lugging your bag around while cycling!
Begin in an Easy Area
OK, now you’re ready to hit the London roads! However, it’s worth considering where you’ll start. You’ll find that getting to grips with how to cycle in London is much more straightforward if you begin in a relatively quiet area.
And believe it or not, those quiet areas do in fact exist in London — it’s just that they’re not located near the main attractions, such as Big Ben. South of the river can be much quieter, and the cycle lanes around there are excellent. So look at taking a ride in the direction of Greenwich Park; once you’ve gotten your cycle-legs back, you can look at venturing into slightly more challenging areas.
What to See
You’ll have the freedom of the roads when you have a bike, but it’s also worth keeping in mind that London is huge. And unlike New York, where most of the ‘must-visit’ neighborhoods are next to one another, in London everything is spread out.
As such, you’ll need to be selective about what you choose to see. You won’t be able to see everything! You’ll find it easier if you focus your attention on a specific area (for instance, West London, North London, etc.) and look up the must-visit attractions.
Remember that you don’t need to have a rigid itinerary, though. You’ll have the freedom to go wherever you please, so keep your schedule flexible and see where the winds take you — that attitude will always reward you in a city as awesome as London.
Consider a Bike Tour
If you’re short of time and want to absolutely ensure that you see the main sights, then consider joining a bike tour. This can be a fun way to not only see the city but learn about it too. Most bike tours will take you to the main areas and also give you a thorough history lesson while you’re there.
General Safety Tips
Exploring London by bike is an amazing way to see the city, especially during the warmer Spring and Summer months. In fact, when the sun is shining, we’d argue that it’s the best way to see the city.
But remember: ensuring that you’re kept safe should be your number one priority. If you’re visiting during spring and summer, then it should be light enough that you don’t need bike lights, but at any other time of the year, they’re essential. Always stick to the cycle lanes and “look‚ signal manoeuvre” whenever you’re making a turn. Also, remember that it’s the journey, not the destination — go slow!
