Is London a good city to bike in?

London looks big, busy, and a bit intimidating on the map. Then you get here, spot a line of cyclists gliding through a royal park, and realise something important: London is often easier to understand from a bike saddle than from the Underground.

So—is London a good city to bike in? For most visitors (including nervous first-timers and families), the answer is yes, as long as you choose the right routes and keep things simple.

This guide is written especially for:

• Families travelling with kids or teens

• Visitors who don’t cycle at home, or haven’t done it in a while

• Anyone who likes the idea of cycling… but hears “London traffic” and immediately thinks, absolutely not

Let’s make it feel doable.

London cycling in 2025: the reassuring bits (with real numbers)

When people worry about cycling in London, they’re usually asking two questions:

1. Are there bike lanes?

2. Will I feel safe?

Here’s what the latest data says:

• 431 km of Strategic Cycle Network as of October 2025 (TfL’s network of key cycle routes across the city).

• 29% of Londoners live within 400 metres of that network (and it’s growing year on year).

• TfL estimates around 1.40 million cycle trips per day in 2025—so you won’t be the only one on two wheels.

• Among people who used Cycleways, 76% said they felt safe all or most of the time on Cycleways, compared with 40% on other roads/paths.

• If you’d rather use hire bikes: there are 12,000+ Santander Cycles across around 800 docking stations.

Translation: London has a substantial cycle network, lots of other riders, and specific routes where people feel noticeably safer.

Why London feels so good by bike (the bit the map doesn’t tell you)

Biking in London isn’t about speed. It’s about freedom.

On a bike, London becomes:

• Flexible: stop when something catches your eye (a market, a street musician, an unexpectedly lovely garden square).

• Spacious: you can link parks, riverside stretches, and calm backstreets in a way you simply can’t on foot.

• Joyful: you’re outdoors, moving, and seeing the city “at human height”—not underground, not through a taxi window.

• Social: in a small group, cycling turns into a shared adventure. You’ll chat at the red lights, laugh at the tiny London quirks, and feel like you’ve arrived—even if you landed yesterday.

And for families, cycling is often the sweet spot between walking (slow, lots of “my feet hurt”) and the Tube (crowds, stairs, and that mild panic when everyone’s Oyster cards beep at different times).

“But is it safe?” A calm, honest answer

London is a major city. You’ll still see buses, taxis, and confident commuters who look like they were born on a bike.

But you can stack the odds in your favour:

Choose Cycleways and calmer routes where possible

TfL’s data shows a clear difference in how safe people feel on Cycleways versus other roads.
That’s exactly why many riders will go out of their way to use them.

Start in the easiest environments first

If you’re nervous, begin where London is at its gentlest:

• Royal Parks (wide paths, greenery, fewer cars)

• Riverside stretches (more open, fewer complicated junctions)

• Quiet backstreets that avoid the biggest arterial roads

Give yourself permission to get support

If “London + cycling” feels like a big leap, a guide is your safety net. Not dramatic—just practical.

A good guide will:

• pick calmer streets and crossings

• manage the group and pace

• brief you clearly at the start

• keep you out of the messy bits

The easiest way to cycle London as a visitor

Option 1: Take a small-group bike tour (best for first-timers)

If you want to see the icons without spending the first hour worrying about turns, traffic, and which side of the road you should be on, this is the simplest approach.

Our Landmarks & Gems: Royal London Bike Tour is designed as an easy-going, first-day orientation, with a relaxed pace and photo stops. It’s around 3.5 hours and capped at 10 guests, which keeps it friendly and manageable.

Option 2: Book a private family bike tour (best for nervous parents)

If you’re travelling with kids or teens, the mental load can be… sporty. A private tour takes that off your plate.

Our Private Family Bike Tour of London is built around:

• safe routes on quiet backstreets and park paths

• big icons (yes, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben)

• kid-friendly storytelling

• flexible stops for snacks, street art, and breaks
  …and the key promise that parents can relax while everyone stays engaged.

Option 3: Use an eBike for extra confidence

If fitness (or hills, or jet lag) are part of your hesitation, an eBike is a game-changer.

Our Epic & Electric: London eBike Tour is a private tour that uses power assistance to cover more ground without making it a workout.

Option 4: DIY with Santander Cycles (best for confident planners)

Santander Cycles are great for short hops and park loops. There are 12,000+ bikes across ~800 docking stations, mostly in central areas.
For nervous riders, we usually recommend: try it in a park first, then decide if you want to go further.

A “nervous rider” starter plan in central London

If you want a first ride that feels calm and scenic, build it around green space:

1. Hyde Park (wide paths, plenty of room)

2. Green Park (a peaceful connector)

3. St James’s Park (classic London views, very “postcard”)

4. Pause near Buckingham Palace for photos

5. If you feel confident, continue towards Westminster for those “I’m really here” moments

This is exactly why bike touring works so well for first-time visitors: it links the big sights through the easiest-feeling parts of the city.

Tips for visitors (and anyone a bit nervous)

London rides on the left

This is the big one. If you’re used to the right, give yourself a minute.

A few practical habits help:

• Say it out loud at junctions: “Left lane, left flow.”

• Follow a confident rider at a respectful distance (on calm paths).

• Don’t rush turns. A slow, tidy turn is always the correct one.

Keep your first ride simple

• Daytime, good visibility

• Avoid rush hour if you can

• Stick to parks/Cycleways until you feel settled

Make stops part of the plan

The joy of cycling London is that you can stop constantly without it feeling like a “break”. Take photos. Grab a coffee. Let the kids lead for a minute.

Dress for “London unpredictable”

You don’t need full cycling kit. You do want:

• comfortable shoes

• a light rain layer (because London does love a surprise cameo)

• a small bag you can ride with easily

The best part of cycling London is how it makes you feel

Here’s what we hear again and again from guests (especially the nervous ones):

• “I didn’t think I could do it… and then I did.”

• “This was the most relaxed we felt all trip.”

• “We saw so much more than we expected.”

• “The kids were happy. That alone is worth a medal.”

Cycling turns London into a place you can navigate, not just visit. It’s confidence-building, surprisingly peaceful in the parks, and quietly brilliant for family travel.

Want the most relaxed version of this?

Tally Ho has been guiding curious travellers in London since 2011, hosting 75,000+ guests with a 4.9/5 average rating, plus multiple Travellers’ Choice awards and sustainability recognition.

Our style is story-led and friendly, with small groups, photo stops, and a pace that feels unhurried.

If you’d like cycling London to feel like a good day out with people who know the shortcuts, you’ll fit right in.

FAQs

Is London bike-friendly for tourists?

Yes—especially if you stick to parks, Cycleways, and calmer routes. TfL reports strong growth in cycling and an expanding cycle network.

Are there protected bike lanes in London?

London’s Cycleways include routes built to TfL’s quality criteria, and the city continues to expand these corridors.

Is cycling in London safe for families?

It can be, with the right approach: quiet backstreets, park paths, and a pace tailored to kids. (This is exactly how our Private Family Bike Tour is designed.)

Can I rent a bike easily in London?

Yes—Santander Cycles is the main docked hire scheme, with 12,000+ bikes at ~800 docking stations across London.