We're going to be in England in May, and we're thinking of renting bikes for some of the time. We'll mostly be in London, Oxford, Stratford-on-Avon, and Bath. Does anyone have any insight on how bike-friendly these cities are, and especially how safe they are for people who are competent but not expert bikers?
Thanks!
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1448 posts
Look for London Cycle Lane Map online. It looks like a Tube Map. I'm sure Oxford, Stratford-on-Avon and Bath have similar maps available. London is pretty busy, but there is a trail by the Thames that limits auto traffic. There are Cycle Clubs and Bike rentals where you can get recommendations for best routes.
Posted by
London, UK
312 posts
I live in the London suburbs and am wary of cycling even around my home area and would never consider cycling in the centre of London. Cycle lanes have been retrofitted into pretty narrow roads, and the traffic everywhere is heavy and impatient. If you can stick to the Thames cycle way as described above, that would be safer, but getting there would be less safe.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Cycling in London is a hideous experience. Oxford is very cycle friendly. I can’t recall Bath and SuA being particularly cycle friendly.
Posted by
2404 posts
Read this website which has detailed about cycling routes:>https://www.sustrans.org.uk/
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2399 posts
cyclinguk.org might be useful
Posted by
OP
41 posts
Thanks so much for the helpul replies, everyone!
Posted by
199 posts
https://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/
and
cycle.travel
are two good planning sites, to go with Komoot, and Google.
There are also hundreds of You Tube videos of people cycling in those places, so you can see what it really looks like. Just type in Cycling .... whatever town...UK and there you go. Some of the London routes make cycling look frightening, and others are all separated bike lanes with their own traffic lights.