Cycle routes in London inspiring you to get on yer bike!
The extensive traffic-free Greenways routes are a great way to ease into cycling in the capital and you could even take the family. Many of London's most memorable bike rides are hidden away – Regent's Canal weaves its way from Little Venice into some of the East End's most fascinating nooks and crannies and cycling is a great way to explore the city. Choose a route or, even better, plan your own on TfL
What's a Greenway?
You'd be surprised how many mostly traffic-free routes can take you through London's parks, forests, waterways and quiet bits. Richmond's short and sweet Tamsin Trail is just one option; if you want to make a start on cycling, a Greenway is your easy street to bicycle bliss, and brand new routes are being developed all the time.
How do I find one?
You can order a London Cycle Guide for your local area, where all Greenways are marked with green lines and span the capital. Greenwich to Banbury reservoir is one of our favourite routes - take a look at TfL's guide to Greenways and find out how you can make pedalling around the capital an altogether more pleasant affair.
Parks and open spaces
You can take a ride through most of London's parks and green bits. The capital's Royal Parks are working hard to improve their cycling routes and facilities, and they are working alongside TfL and local authorities on 2010's cycle-hire scheme, too. Their code of conduct and future plans can be found on the Royal Parks website.
Towpath tips
It may seem obvious, but make sure that you cycle carefully along canal towpaths. You might not get stuck at lights and roundabouts, but you certainly can't cycle as fast as you would on a road. The bridges are particularly hazardous blind junctions. Signs advise you to dismount when you go under a bridge; if you don't do this, at least have the decency to slow down to a snail's pace and sound your bell. Otherwise, someone may well end up in the water. Be patient with dawdling pedestrians who won't step to the side to let you get past - they have right of way, but they're the ones missing out on the fun.
The Olympics
The Sustrans project Greenways for the Olympics and London (GOAL) aims to create a safe and attractive environment for walking and cycling and that benefits you. The Jubilee Walkway Trust is also beavering away to improve a gobsmacking 60-kilometre Greenway circling London to give easy access to 2012 Olympics sites. Cycle ahead of the crowd and try it out for yourself.
To plan your cycling route visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling