A beginner's guide to cycling in London

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“This should be a new golden age for cycling,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said as the government, in early May, announced its plans to pledge £2 billion towards new cycling and walking initiatives.

Initially, the government looks to put £250 million into creating new and safer cycle lanes which means, as the UK veers towards life after lockdown, we’re about to see more and more people take up cycling.

You’ve probably thought about it, maybe perused some sites online selling bikes , trying to decide whether you should opt for a manual bike, an electric, or what about one of those fold-up bikes? But where do you start and how do you know if cycling is for you?

To help us decide, we’ve spoken to a team of experts and developed a comprehensive guide for cycling in London, below.

What are the regulations for cyclists in the UK?

Dame Sarah Storey, British Cycling’s Policy Advocate and Paralympic champion, says: “Having working lights and reflectors on your bike is a legal requirement after dark, so always make sure they’re fully charged and functional.

“While the Highway Code advises cyclists to wear a helmet, this is ultimately a personal choice. The key to making cycling safer isn’t compulsory helmets, it’s improving the infrastructure and the environment. That’s why many of the safest places in the world to cycle also have the lowest rates of helmet use.”

Is it safe to cycle in London?

The Highway Code and the basics of road positioning is something all cyclists should be aware of, Storey continues, as well as having the right equipment: a road-worthy bike that is fitted with working lights. British Cycling's Commute Smart series is the ideal watch for those who want to become a more confident cyclist commuter.

Storey adds: “While riding you should always look ahead, anticipate hazards and signal any movements clearly. I always encourage people to be confident in looking over their shoulder, try to make eye contact with the driver and signal your movement clearly. If you’re completely new to cycling and feel a little nervy, stick to parks or traffic-free routes to begin with and progress from there – there’s no need to put yourself under any pressure. Cycling is a really accessible activity – you don’t have to be ​Lizzie Deignan to enjoy getting out for a ride.”

Tom Bogdanowicz, author of The London Cycling Guide and Senior Policy and Development Officer at London Cycling Campaign (LCC), agrees.

“Be clear, alert and visible," he says. "Communicate clearly with other road users by signals and eye contact; stay alert throughout your ride; and ride so that other road users can see you at all times – so don’t ride in the gutter (stay a metre away from parked cars or the curb) and don’t venture into lorry blind spots (on the inside left of a lorry).

“Make sure your bike is in full working order before you start out and plan a route that is comfortable for your skill level – try it out at a quiet time before venturing out when traffic is busier. Roads are relatively quiet right now so it’s a good time to build up your traffic skills.”

Before you start, Bogdanowicz recommends watching the LCC’s videos on basic cycling skills as well as its videos on safety around lorries.

Should you ever have earphones in while you are cycling?

Avoiding distraction while on the road is imperative, says Bogdanowicz, because the sound of cars is often the ‘first warning of potential danger’.

Storey adds: “I personally never cycle with earphones, but that's my preference. A driver listening to the radio with the windows shut has very little sense of the sounds outside their vehicle, which isn’t dissimilar from wearing headphones while cycling. If you are wearing them, it is even more important you look over your shoulder before you change direction, even if you’re just manoeuvring around something obstructing your path.”

What should I be wearing when I’m cycling?

While cyclists are synonymous with lycra, you don’t need to whip out spandex as soon as you decide to take up biking. In fact, if you’re riding at a leisurely pace, you can even wear your work clothes.

“It’s important to make sure that you’re protected from the elements and visible to others," says Storey. "So we’d suggest getting yourself a good breathable waterproof jacket and something with reflective panels if you’re going to be riding in the dark.

“I suggest cycling in whatever you are comfortable in and for me personally that is sometimes my work clothes if I am commuting to the station or between meetings, and sometimes it’s my training kit if I am using the journey to go a bit quicker and as part of my training regime.”

What the London cyclist says: Liv Taylor, 27, knows a thing or two about cycling. After discovering a love of pedals during university in London, she has since biked from London to Paris in 24 hours for charity, cycled across North Spain and last year became an Ironwoman - which included a 3.9 kilometre swim, a marathon and a 112 mile cycle ride. No small feat.

She says: “My cycling wardrobe expanded pretty quickly as I was doing it so often and I now have a range of different items that I like to wear for different rides. If I’m just commuting or riding to the shops I feel comfy wearing a normal gym kit, you don’t need the padded shorts - especially if it’s just a short ride.

“When I’m riding for exercise or with a club or when I’m on training rides for my next Ironman I wear cycle specific gear. I’m a fan of a number of brands, including MAAP, Dhb, Liv, Rapha (when they have a sale!). And the gear means that I can ride all year round and still be comfortable.

“Always wear a helmet, no matter how short the journey. There are so many different designs it is a really good idea to try before you buy to make sure it fits correctly.”

Should cyclists be wearing masks while cycling, even to avoid air pollution?

Bogdanowicz says: “The government has not advised wearing masks when you are able to stay two metres away from others and in ordinary cycling you are likely to be two metres or more away from other riders – the further the better. Currently air quality in London is much improved because of low traffic volumes. Some cyclists wear anti-pollution masks which may offer some limited protection but they also make it more difficult to breathe when riding.”

What kind of bike should I be looking to buy?

A bike that is the right size and feels comfortable is the most important thing, advises Bogdanowicz, and new cyclists generally prefer an upright position and straight handlebars.

He continues: “Unless you live in Highgate or Crystal Palace in London you don’t need many gears and suspension, which adds a lot of weight, is only needed for off-road riding. Avoid multi-gear bikes with suspension that cost £100 – they are heavy and can discourage you from riding. At that price consider a used bike. If you can afford it, spend about £300 for something like a hybrid with eight gears.”

Storey adds that the saddle can be interchangeable: “Don't be put off by the saddle on the bike either, as these are easily interchangeable and all good bike shops will be able to advise on an alternative. The widest ones are not always the most comfortable!”

What the London cyclist says: Taylor recommends doing some research before buying a bike, and working out whether you’d like it for commuting and to cycle to the shops or if you’d like to ride a fair distance on it.

“There are so many lovely independent bike shops that are always so helpful and have always been very eager to help me out when I’ve had queries," she says. "If you are buying second hand, which is extremely common on eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace make sure you see it before you buy it. And please check bikeregister.com to see if the bike has been stolen.

“I started very small (purchase wise) and I think it’s the best way to go. I bought a second hand bike - being very careful to make sure it wasn’t stolen, as this is sadly very common in London - and I was on my way for less than £50. You don’t need all the kit to get started, just two wheels, a helmet and a bike lock.”

What about an e-bike, would that be easier?

E-bikes can go up to 15.5mph so, in most cases, you’d probably be arriving to work faster than you would on your regular tube or bus commute. And while they can be a little pricey (expect to spend over the £1k mark), you’ll probably pay this back in a year of catching the tube (a zone 1-2 annual travel card is £1,444, while an zone 1-3 annual travel card is £1,696).

James Metcalfe, Owner of VOLT bikes, says: “E-bikes offer a plethora of benefits and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. The most obvious benefit is fitness and health, compared to traditional cycles people can go that little further on e-bikes with people setting their exercise level to as little or as much assistance from the motor as they want. Research actually shows that e-bike riders are more likely to stay active and get more frequent exercise than cyclists.

“Lack of confidence is a major barrier preventing people from getting back in the saddle and the added boost that an e-bike provides makes the transition into cycling less daunting. On those days that you’re feeling a little bit tired, or not in the mood to tackle that massive uphill – no worries, you can still hop on and let the e-bike do the heavy-lifting, letting you enjoy the views. Equally, when travelling on an e-bike you don’t have to arrive at your destination red-faced, in need of a shower and change of clothes, a major upside.”

Metcalfe adds that VOLT has seen a surge in sales over the past two months, with essential workers looking towards cycling as an alternative commute. He also assures us that e-bikes are safe to ride in London as they include power-cut breaks - which means all power from the motor is cut as soon as the breaks are pulled.

Bogdanowicz says: “E-bikes, while offering welcome power up hills, are significantly more expensive than regular bikes to buy and they are also much heavier so taking them up stairs can be a problem. Many of the dockless hire bikes (Lime, Uber, Freebike) are electric if you want to try one.”

What are the benefits of cycling?

Yet, while e-bikes can offer a lot of benefits and will likely get you to your destination faster, if you want to get the full-range of health benefits that come with cycling it could be worth saving some money and opting for a traditional, push bike instead.

Storey says: “Cycling really is as close to a magic pill as you’re ever likely to find. It helps you to incorporate exercise into your everyday life, relieves the stresses of the working day and improves air quality and congestion levels for everyone. One of the really unique things about cycling is that it doesn’t just benefit the person riding the bike, it benefits everyone.”

The health benefits are evident, too. Studies have shown riders can live longer and benefit from the same level of fitness of those five to 10 years younger than them.

“Exercise like cycling helps reduce the chance of heart disease, some types of cancer and diabetes,” Bogdanowicz adds.

“Cycling is significantly cheaper than running a car or using public transport, parking is a lot easier (though make sure you use a gold or silver Sold Secure rated lock) and you get to your destination more quickly (a journey into central London that takes an hour by car in traffic will usually take 30 minutes or less by bike).”

How can you navigate your route when you're not sure where you're going?

Bogdanowicz says it’s best to plan any ride beforehand and to avoid busy streets where possible.

He adds: “You can select quiet, moderate or fast routes between destinations on the LCC journey planner (lcc.org.uk) or the TfL journey planner or on Google (select cycling).

“Some apps and devices (like Garmin) will read out, or show, instructions as you ride – one recent device, attached to the handlebars, shows a simple arrow pointing where to turn.”

What the London cyclist says: “There are more and more cycle lanes going up around the city and it is very easy to plan your route beforehand so you’re not trying to work out which exit you want as you go round the Elephant and Castle roundabout! When I knew my route, I was confident on the road.”

Taylor adds that there are good apps cyclists can use too, recommending Google Maps, CityCyclist and CycleStreets and attaching your phone to your handlebars with something like QuadLock.

She continues: “I still get lost every so often, but I actually quite enjoy it. I end up on streets of London that I would never have been down if I was taking public transport, cycling past cafes and shops that I never knew existed.

“Komoot is also a great app for planning routes if you’re looking to explore a bit further afield. Very easy to use and it has lots of user input so you get great cafe recommendations which are essential on bike rides!”

Do I need to get bike insurance?

According to statistics from 2018, 21,745 bikes were stolen in London the year prior and one bike was stolen every six minutes in the UK - so it would be a good idea to get insurance.

Tobias Taupitz, CEO of London-based bicycle insurance company Laka, says: “We fully understand the huge benefits and the risks of cycling in London. The main risks that London cyclists need to protect themselves against are theft and third-party public liability. Replacing your bike can be expensive, whilst a potential claim by a pedestrian or another vehicle driver could leave cyclists financially liable for injury to someone or damage to their property.”

How can I meet other cyclists?

Cycling can be addictive, and if your friends or significant others just aren’t that into it, it doesn’t mean you can meet people with like-minded interests. Taylor recommends joining a club if you’re an avid cyclist: “There are a whole range of clubs and they are all incredibly welcoming to newbies. There are plenty of women-specific clubs, too. Giant runs a women-specific brand called Team Liv and they have a lot of clubs nationwide - I joined the one in Camden when I first started and they were so welcoming. They also helped me with a lot of the bike mechanics which can be a tad intimidating at the very start. British Cycling also runs a lot of rides that are good for beginners."

The LCC is currently running an #LCCadvice telephone line, email and Facebook messenger chat service for folks new or returning to cycling (in London). And they're currently offering free membership to NHS workers and any new joiners will get a free Abus Ultimate U Lock​ on top of the usual benefits including third party insurance for members. For more basic advice, head to lcc.org.uk/cycling-advice-2020