You are more likely to stop and check out that little shop or building that caught your eye, more likely to explore that hidden alleyway or path, and more likely to strike up a conversation with pedestrians and other cyclists you might encounter.

That being said, there are some real concerns about cycling around London.

The heavily travelled roads have kerbs and pedestrian railings that can be simply disastrous for cyclists who stray too close to the kerbs and get caught between a car and the railing. The rate of speed on roads is often high enough to cause severe injury or death to cyclists, as well.

Cycling on major roads in London is not recommended for the inexperienced, but there are still many cycle-friendly secondary roads, pathways, and trails to travel instead.

Another concern about cycling through London has always been that many forms of public transport will not allow bikes to be carried on them, making it difficult if you need to get somewhere farther away than you wish to cycle on your own.

A recent innovation in the London cycling scene is the Central London Bike Hire Scheme which is scheduled to start the summer of 2010.

Over 6000 bikes will be distributed to 400 docking stations, mainly at tube stations and other points of interest. People can then hire these bikes for short trips, leaving them at the most convenient docking station once they have reached their destination.

The scheme is designed to give quick and easy bike access to travellers throughout a 17 square miles of Central London and should go a long way towards making London easier to navigate by bicycle.

Cycling in London will never be the same.

The London Bicycle Tour Company

Address: 1a Gabriel's Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PP

Telephone: 020 7928 6838

Opening Times

Daily 10am-6pm | Closed December 25-26 & January 1, December 24 10am-3pm, December 27-31 & January 2-4 11am-3pm

Pricing

Bike Hire £3.50 (1 hr), £20 (24 hrs) | Tours from £15.95

Photo courtesy: Zan Wheelock

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