London
Get on Your Bike: 11 Traffic Free Cycle Routes in London!
Get on Your Bike: 11 Traffic Free Cycle Routes in London!
Start of Parkland Walk by Oxyman under license CC BY-SA 4.0
If you're planning a trip to London, be sure to take advantage of the city's amazing cycle routes that stretch throughout the city and beyond. The routes are a great way to see some of the coolest neighbourhoods and attractions in the city. So ditch the taxi or bus and jump on a bike for a truly unique London experience.
You can cycle along the Grand Union Canal on the Colne Valley Route, cycle around Richmond Park on the Tasmin Trail, or test your mountain biking ability at the Cyclopark!
The table above lists all the best traffic free cycle routes around London. Click on each name to be taken straight to the part of the blog post for that route.
London Cycling FAQ's
There are a number of cycling routes in London that are safe and enjoyable to ride. One option is to follow the The Parkland Walk, which offers a traffic free ride in North London. Another great option is to cycle around Battersea Park on their circular cycle loop. The 2-mile trail is within the park boundary, making it a perfect place for a relaxing bike ride.
In London, you are not allowed to cycle on the pavement unless it is a designated shared cycle path with pedestrians. This means that you should not cycle on the pavement if there is a designated cycle lane on the road, and you should give way to pedestrians if on a shared path. If you are found cycling on a pavement when not allowed, cycling recklessly or in a dangerous manner on a shared use cycle track, you could be issued with a fixed penalty notice.
London is a great city for biking – there are plenty of bike lanes and the weather is usually mild. However, it can be quite congested during rush hour, so it's best to avoid cycling during those times. There are a lot of parks and traffic-free cycle routes throughout London and beyond the city making London a perfect place to get on the saddle.
Cycle Through Some Of The Most Beautiful Areas Of London
London is a huge city with many places to explore on your bike. Have a look below at the cycle routes listed on the interactive map and click on the buttons below the map for each route, for further information before you travel. The purple icons on the map indicate some local bike hire places. Check them out for prices on their website before you rent.
The Parkland Walk
The Parkland Walk is a fantastic way to experience all that London has to offer by bicycle. The route takes you from Finsbury Park in the north of the city to Alexandra Palace around 4 miles away running along the former railway line that connected these two areas. Best of all, the Parkland Walk is entirely traffic-free, so you can leisurely enjoy the ride without having to worry about cars or buses.
Colne Valley Trail
The Colne Valley Trail is a mainly traffic-free route that follows the route of the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne from Uxbridge to Ricksmansworth. Along the way, you'll pass through some of London's most beautiful natural scenery, and with plenty of places to stop, you can enjoy a cup of tea or a pint on your journey.
Regents Park
Regents Park is one of the best places to cycle in the centre of London. The park is huge and with an outer trail of around 2.8 miles, you can enjoy a cycle ride taking in the park's beauty. The inner sections of the park are free though so be prepared to push your bike if you want to venture inwards to the other areas of the park.
The Tamsin Trail
Richmond Park is one of the most beautiful parks in London and is known as a great place to go for a cycle. The Tamsin Trail is a 7-mile circuit that takes you around the park taking in all the natural beauty the park offers. There are few hills and plenty of places to stop and admire the views so it's ideal for beginners. And with so much to see along the way, from deer roaming in the open spaces to ancient trees and woodland, you'll love this nature cycle trail close to the city centre.
Battersea Park Cycle Loop
This fantastic route takes you round one of London's best green spaces at Battersea Park. The 2-mile circular route takes you around the park riding past the boating lake, children's zoo, and bandstand. A short ride that will get the legs going a bit that's enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by Bex Walton under license CC BY 4.0
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a great place to cycle due to the area being beautifully landscaped for the 2012 Olympics. The park is very well-maintained and with on and off-road cycling options available there are plenty of routes and things to see to keep you occupied for an afternoon. With 8 km of mountain bike trails at the Leo Valley VeloPark, you won't find many better mountain bike trails in the city.
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is home to a number of cycle routes and with 284km of shared-use path, the forest is an ideal destination for both experienced cyclists and those new to cycling. What's more, the scenery in Epping Forest is simply beautiful, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day in the saddle.
Hampstead Heath
One of the best ways to experience how great cycling in London can be is to take a ride around Hampstead Heath. This large park is perfect for an afternoon ride with plenty of paths to explore. The scenery is beautiful, and you'll get a chance to see some of London's most famous landmarks along the way. Watch out for pedestrian-only zones within the park as you may get fined for entering these if you're on your bike.
The view from Ingrebourne Hill by Marathon under license CC BY-SA 4.0
MTB: Ingrebourne Hill
Ingrebourne Hill is a hidden gem for mountain bikers in London. The trails here are some of the best near the city, offering a challenge for even the most experienced riders. The forest itself is located just outside of the city, making it easily accessible for a day trip. With a 2km mountain bike trail and over 3 km of general cycling paths, you will enjoy your time spent riding through the trees.
MTB: Cyclopark
For those who love to thrill ride on their bike, the mountain bike trails at Cyclopark are a must-ride. The park offers 6 km of trails designed by World Cup trail designer Hugh Clixby, ranging from easy to expert, so there's something for everyone. With a variety of terrain and enough to keep you challenged, Cyclopark is an ideal place to enjoy a day on two wheels just a short drive from the city.
MTB: Thames Chase
There's nothing quite like a day out on the bike, and Thames Chase Forest is the perfect place to enjoy some great cycling. With over 6.5 km of trails to explore of an easy and relatively flat gradient, the forest is perfect for families and beginner cyclists.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have shared some of the best London bike routes. To find out more about things to do in this area, click on the buttons below:
Please note...
All outdoor activities including cycling involve a degree of risk. The routes are recommended due to the well known features of each route but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each route so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your cycle!
Crown Copyright, courtesy Forestry Commission (06/12/22) licensed under the Open Government License.