Cycling in London: Why It’s Worth It
Cycling is one of the best ways to get around London. It’s affordable, sustainable, and often quicker than public transport for short journeys. With dedicated cycle lanes, low-traffic neighbourhoods, and plenty of bike hire options, it’s easier than ever to make cycling part of your daily routine. Plus, it’s a great way to explore the city and stay active.
If you’re new to cycling, Transport for London (TfL) has excellent resources to help you plan safe routes:
Your Cycling Checklist!
- Bike Helmet
- Safety when cycling is essential! You should always wear a helmet, even if you are cycling on an E-Bike. You can purchase a helmet from high street shops like Halfords or Sports Direct, but you can also buy online from sustainable manufacturers such as Dashel or Lazer, but these are more expensive than the high street alternatives.
- Bike Lights
- If you are riding your own bike, it's illegal to ride in the dark without front and back lights. You can buy very simple clip-on lights from places like The Eco Bike Company.
- Bike Lock
- We would recommend a durable lock, secure and compact, and ideal for daily commuting. The best type of lock is a U-Lock (sometimes called a D-Lock). For more information, take a look here!
Looking to Buy a Second-Hand Bike in London?
- Cycle King
- Second-hand bikes start from £80, fully serviced with warranties and free follow-up checks: cycleking.co.uk
- Gumtree
- Thousands of listings—from hybrid commuters to e‑bikes—price range £125–£575: gumtree.com
- Camden Cycles
- Offers used, rebuilt bikes (including e‑bikes) and full servicing at their Camden workshop: Camden cycles
- The Bike Project
- Refurbished second‑hand bikes sold to support refugee aid, with in-person test rides available: shop.thebi...ject.co.uk
Not sure you want to buy your own bike? An E-Bike could be your answer!
An e-bike (electric bike) makes cycling easier, faster, and more accessible - perfect for exploring the city, travel between campuses, or just get to lectures without breaking a sweat. An e-bike looks like a regular bicycle but has a small electric motor and battery to assist your pedalling. This means:
- You still pedal, but the motor gives you an extra boost - great for hills or longer journeys. Most e-bikes have adjustable assistance levels, so you can choose how much help you want.
- You can adjust the seat height really easily, so there's no need to worry about finding the right size bike!
- You can find them all across London, but can only park them in designated parking areas.
Main E-Bike Brands in London
Lime
- Coverage: ~30,000 bikes across London.
- Pricing for students: £1 unlock + £0.20/min (discounts via LimePass weekly/monthly).
- Sustainability highlight: Lime uses renewable energy for charging and redistributes bikes using electric vans.
- More info: Lime Electric Bikes
Forest
- Coverage: 14,000+ bikes, dockless.
- Pricing for students: 10 minutes free every day, then £0.12/min + £1 unlock.
- Sustainability highlight: Fully zero-emission operations and tree-planting funded by rides.
- More info: Forest Bikes
Voi
- Coverage: Available in select boroughs (Hackney, Southwark, Kensington & Chelsea, etc.).
- Pricing for students: £0.49 unlock + £0.18/min; subscription passes for regular riders.
- Sustainability highlight: Electric-only fleet and partnerships for green energy charging.
- More info: Voi E-Bikes
Why use an E-Bike?
- Affordable and flexible: Pay-as-you-go options mean you only spend when you ride.
- Eco-friendly: Reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying the city.
- Convenient: No need to worry about traffic jams or tube delays.