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Date updated: 5/05/2026

Cycling in the City of London is a popular way to get around. At peak hours, one in every two vehicles in the Square Mile is a person cycling. Cycling has many advantages for your health and wellbeing. Cycling instead of driving helps our environment and is central to our Transport Strategy. It frees up space on our roads and public transport for those that need it.

Whether a beginner or an expert, the City and Greater London are home to a growing network of cycleway routes and healthy streets that make it safe and easy to get around.

What we are doing to support cycling

We want the range of people choosing to cycle to match the diversity of people who work, study, live in and visit the City. 

Did you know:

  • To support safer cycling, there is a 20mph speed limit in the Square Mile
  • To make it quicker and easier, many one-way streets can be cycled in both directions
  • The City is at the centre of  London's network of Cycleways

Plan your route

Here are some handy tools to help you plan your route through the City:

Find cycle parking 

We have over 1,500 on-street cycle parking stands (which equates to over 3,000 parking spaces) located across the City.

You can use our interactive map to find cycle parking near you. Our own City Corporation car parks also have free, secure undercover cycle parking, which is covered by CCTV. 

Cycle Hire

Hiring a cycle is a great way to get around the city. We’re home to Santander Cycles, dockless cycle hire operators and shared cargo bikes.

Santander Cycles now include e-bikes, so you can go further more easily. Visit Santander Cycles.

Dockless hire bikes from Lime and Forest can be found, hired and unlocked using a smartphone app and may be ridden and parked in designated areas the City.

If you park or abandon a dockless bike outside of a designated parking area, you may be fined or banned.

More information can be found on our Dockless Cycle Hire in the City webpage.

You can hire a cargo bike by the hour for transporting bulky items, carrying children and pets and more with our first shared cargo bike, based on Fann Street. Operated by OurBike, it costs £5 per hour and must be returned to the same location at the end of each journey. City of London residents get 60-minutes and local businesses get 3 hours’ free credit after registering on the app.

More information can be found on the OurBike website.

Learn or improve your confidence with free cycle training

If you live, work or study in the Square Mile you can get free cycle skills training from expert instructors at Bikeworks.

Your instructor will tailor the session to suit your individual abilities and goals, whether you are a first-time rider or someone who regularly cycles but wants to improve your confidence at complex junctions, in heavy traffic or at night.

If you work in the Square Mile but live in a different London borough, you can do your training with Bikeworks near where you live. 

Bikeworks offers:

  • Cycle Skills: Basic (off-road environment), Urban (quiet local roads) or Advanced (complex junctions and busy roads) and Family Cycle Skills

Transport for London also offer a free online cycle skills course for people who are new to cycling or just wanting to brush up their cycling skills.

Zero Emissions Network

If you work or live in the City of London you can benefit from joining the Zero Emissions Network, funded by the Mayor of London.

Member businesses can:

  • Apply for a grant of up to £2,500 towards the cost of a cargo bike
  • Get three free cargo bike courier deliveries
  • Try a cargo bike for a week for free

Businesses and residents can:

More information is available on the Zero Emissions Network website.

Discover Wheels4Me London 

They have a pioneering initiative designed to provide free cycle loans to Londoners whose needs aren't met by standard bicycle hire schemes.

Whether you're a commuter, student, or simply looking to explore the City on two wheels, Wheels4Me London ensures everyone has access to a bicycle that suits their unique requirements.

Visit Wheels4Me London to learn more and get started today!

#ChargeSafe: Keeping Safe when charging your E-Bike battery

Earlier this year, the London Fire Brigade launched the #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness about the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. The campaign shares practical advice to help you spot the warning signs, charge your e-bike safely, and reduce the risk of fire while charging, this includes:

  • Do not leave batteries charging when you’re out of the house or asleep
  • Ensure your battery and charger comply with UK safety standards
  • Always use the correct charger for your battery and only purchase from reputable sellers
  • Allow batteries to cool down before charging them
  • Unplug the charger once charging is complete
  • Install smoke alarms in the area where you charge your batteries

Find out more on the London Fire Brigade website.

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