Discover London Cycling

When I arrived in London for my first year at UCL, even the mention of cycling was enough to turn me pale. 

With my fear of London traffic, it took a global pandemic to nudge me onto two wheels. Now, I wish I’d started years ago.

In this article, I’ve put together a short guide featuring everything that I wish I had known about cycling when I started university, including: how to buy a bike second hand, how to stay safe, and how to avoid your bike getting stolen. 

Everyone knows that cycling can be fantastic exercise, but not everyone realises that it can also be totally safe and deliciously cheap. So here’s how to get started.

Why should I start cycling?

If you’re not convinced you should get on a bike, here’s a definitive list of reasons why you should change your mind:

• Be COVID-safe: avoid the risk of infection on public transport
• Be sustainable: get around without contributing to climate change or air pollution
• Stay safe: London has a vast and growing network of extra-safe cycle paths
• Save money: a second hand bike and all the essential accessories can cost from £100 to £200. This will serve you for years and more or less keep its value, whereas a student Oyster card costs a minimum of £90 per month
• Be sociable: Bike rides are a great way to spend time with a friend or family member
• Stay healthy: Get your daily exercise 

What kind of bike is right for me?

Now that you’re starting to like the idea, the first thing you’ll be wondering is what kind of bike you need. Here are the main things to think about:

• Size: Bike sizes are measured by frame size, and the right size for you will depend on your height and the kind of bike you are looking at. Use this Halfords page to work out what frame size is appropriate for you
• Gears: Many bikes for city use are ‘fixies’, meaning they only have one gear. This generally means the bike will be lighter and lower maintenance but this isn’t always ideal if your routes involve hills. Hybrid (or commuter) and road bicycles will always have a range of gears. 
• Weight: As a rule, the more money you spend, the lighter the material of the frame. This is something to consider if you will need to carry your bike up and down stairs for storage. 
• Cycling posture: Road bikes are designed to go fast, and are supposed to be ridden in a sort of hunched over position. Hybrid bikes will allow you to sit more upright, which many find more comfortable especially if wearing a rucksack.
• Pannier rack: If you’re planning on using your bike to transport heavy stuff, such as your weekly food shop, you might want to look out for a bike with a metal rack over the back wheel which you can use to attach panniers or bike bags.

Where should I buy a bike?

The cheapest way to buy a bike is undoubtedly second hand. The best places to find one are the websites eBay and Gumtree. 

Bikes can be slightly better value on Gumtree because sellers don’t pay for their adverts, but eBay has a more secure payments system. On both websites, you can filter out adverts that are too far away or too expensive. 

With some searching, it should be easy to find a bike in good working order for between £70-£110. 

When buying a bike second hand, make sure to do the following things:

• Research the model to work out whether the price is fair or not.
• Check the seller’s profile before meeting them to find out if they seem legitimate and try to find out the reason for the sale.
• Only pay before seeing the bike if you have a very high level of trust in the seller and are using eBay’s secure payment system. Ideally only pay after seeing the bike.
• Bring a friend with you when viewing the bike to get a second opinion and to avoid being ripped off.
• If bidding on eBay, follow the strategy of deciding how much you are willing to pay and place your maximum bid in the final seconds of the auction.
• Do a test ride on the bike to check that the gear changes are smooth and that the brakes are working.
• If there are any cracks in the frame, you should avoid buying. Some surface-level rust on the frame is not an issue, while rust on the chain and cassette will likely mean they need replacing. Bear in mind the cost of anything which will need fixing.
• Don’t be afraid to haggle and to walk away if unsure.
• Ask the seller if the bike is registered on BikeRegister or any other database and if they can transfer the registration if so.

To start cycling in London, you will also need a good bike lock, a pair of lights and a helmet. 

At this time of year, a good pair of gloves is also a must!

What do I need to know about cycling in London?

Gaining confidence

I know first-hand that starting cycling in London is daunting. 

The best way to gain confidence is to go for a couple of rides with a friend who already cycles, so you can see how they negotiate traffic. 

Otherwise, just take your bike to your local park and get used to riding it before cycling on streets. If you want to try out cycling before investing in your own bike, rent a Santander bike.

Planning your route

The easiest way to plan your route in London is by using the apps Google maps or Citymapper. 

If you want to avoid busy roads, Citymapper has the option to plan a ‘Quiet’ route which will take you on a slightly longer but more tranquil path to your destination. 

If you’ve never cycled around your local area before, you should memorise your route before leaving. 

Keep an eye out for landmarks such as parks along the way and just dismount if you’re feeling a bit lost.

Turning left and right

Almost all cycling accidents happen at junctions, so make sure to be aware of how to indicate clearly before turning. This video offers a handy guide.

If you’re ever feeling unsure of how to make a turn, just dismount on the pavement and use the pedestrian crossings. There is no shame in being safe!

How can I keep my bike safe from theft?

Unfortunately, bike theft is a major problem in London. Here are the best precautions you can take to keep your bike safe:

• BikeRegister: Register your bike on this database using the serial number found on the underside of the frame. If buying second-hand, ask the owner to transfer the registration to you through your email address. This will make it much more likely for the police to be able to recover your bike in the event of theft.
• Overnight storage: Avoid leaving your bike on public bike racks overnight or for any long period of time. The safest places to store your bike are at home or on the racks on campus at UCL.
• A good lock: The hardest locks to break are generally D locks, which can also be combined with a cable to protect your wheels from being stolen.
• Insurance: If your bike is worth anything upwards of 300-400 pounds, it may be a good idea to buy insurance. Bike insurance to cover theft alone is fairly cheap, and can be extended to cover other things.

Where should I cycle?

Similar to last year’s first lockdown, the new restrictions mean that you should stay local by keeping within the part of London where you live.

If you live around campus, I’d recommend the cycle to UCL. Pedaling around Bloomsbury is nothing short of delightful!

Image credit: Author's own.