We are travelling to London and Paris for our first time this September. We had intended to walk everywhere to explore these cities but unfortunately foot issues now prevent my husband from doing so. We have booked a Royal London bike tour through Fat Tire Tours for our first day, but are wanting some advice on where we could find relatively easy bike routes (not guided tours) that we could take to see London and Paris by bike instead of by foot. We don't want to be biking in busy areas with a lot of traffic. We have investigated the Santander bike rental system in London and understand how that works - now we just need some routes or suggested destinations in these two cities. We are staying near St. Paul's in London and near Notre Dame in Paris.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
I haven’t cycled in Paris, so I can’t help you with that. I am a regular UK cyclist, but sorry to say, I would never cycle in central London as there’s too much traffic to contend with and there are aren’t enough dedicated cycle paths. Unless you get out into areas such as Richmond Park, you are going to find lots of traffic.
The Royal Parks such as Hyde Park, Green Park etc maybe slightly quieter for cycling. Generally you can cycle on the roads, not the pathways, with a few exceptions that will be signposted.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I agree, there really isn't anywhere in London where you won't have to deal with heavy traffic.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
tfl and Visit London have suggestions for cycling around London.
https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/cycle-paths?ref=more-ideas
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/leisure-routes
Posted by
226 posts
The Santander bikes links provided above are perfect.
I like the Thames River/Changing of the Guard route that begins from the Blackfriars Bridge Tube Station. The route quickly takes you to the cyclist "superhighway" CS3 right along the Thames River along Victoria Embankment. The river will be on your left. You pass Middle Temple and Somerset House on your right. Great views of the river and the London Eye (down and across the river). On the CS3, you avoid the traffic and cruise - just make sure you ride on the left! After the Embankment Tube Station, the route takes you to Scotland Yard, Whitehall, 10 Downing Street, Horse Guards Parade, St. James Park and then back to the Embankment and CS3 right at Parliament and Big Ben. Great way to see some of London's sights.
Posted by
OP
Canada
18 posts
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33992 posts
shelley your profile doesn't give much of a clue as to your country of origin, so I am just guessing. If you are from North America please take extra care in London, especially if you are in convoy.
I used to bike in London (usually using the "Boris" bikes, sometimes taking my own on the train) but I don't now. There is just too much congestion and construction, and heavy construction trucks everywhere for my liking. I know that TfL tries to encourage it but I don't need the hassle. Unfortunately there are a lot of accidents between cyclists and vehicles in London, and especially quite a few deaths. These deaths mostly consist of foreign nationals used to driving on the right who get in the way of (or vice versa) large trucks. I find that very sobering and I'm afraid I just don't want to cycle in such unsafe areas.
If you are from the other countries where driving on the left is the norm, please take the same extra care in Paris. Not resident there I don't know how cyclists get on there these days, but please be careful.
Be aware that Boris bikes and other customer released bikes like Velib and Yellow bikes don't come with any head protection. Carry your own skid-lids.
That may be different at Fat Tyre never used them.
Posted by
401 posts
I'm an occasional visitor to London now and love using the Santander bikes. Use the dedicated routes and it's a great way to get around IMO. The superhighway routes are very wide and the other routes tend to take you down side streets and away from busy traffic. I managed to get myself from Southwark to the Barbican and felt rather chuffed by the whole process.