List of cycle routes in London

The Waterlink Way, a traffic-free cycle route in the London Borough of Lewisham which is also part of the National Cycle Network.

For those cycling in, around or across London a network of cycleways called the London Cycle Network exists within the London Metropolitan Area as well as an expanding network of "Cycle Superhighways" and an emerging network of "Quietways". Also, a number of national and international cycling routes pass through, or originate in, London.

Cycle Superhighways

Cycle Superhighway CS7 start point at Colliers Wood Underground Station

Twelve new bicycle routes, dubbed Cycle Superhighways, were announced in 2008 by Mayor Ken Livingstone,^[1] with the aim of creating continuous cycle routes from outer London into and across central London by the end of 2012.

As of May 2016, only seven cycle superhighways were operational: CS1—CS3 and CS5—CS8.

Routes

All twelve routes had been mapped with route numbers based on the 'clock face' radial direction each route took; for example, CS6 runs in a 6 o'clock direction.^[2] The originally proposed CS6 and CS12 routes were later cancelled.^[3]

Two route changes were later announced:^[4]

• an extension of CS3 to become part of an 18-mile-long (29 km) East–West Cycle Superhighway dubbed the "Crossrail for Bikes"
• a new North-South Cycle Superhighway, co-branded as CS6 and replacing the originally planned CS6 route.

Cycling conditions on CS2 at Aldgate East tube station. The pictured cycle lane was replaced by a separated cycle track in 2016.

CS2 in Stratford in September 2014, after implementation of separated cycle tracks.

Implementation and safety concerns

The London Cycling Campaign proposed a manifesto concerning safety, cycle priority and junction design along the Superhighways.^[15] The former Mayor Boris Johnson declined to sign it, but said that TfL would take stakeholders' views into account.^[16]

The implementation of the routes has drawn criticism as being unsafe, for example from urbanist and author Charles Montgomery, who, writing in The Guardian, described them as "inherently dangerous pieces of infrastructure... [that lead] cyclists directly into confrontation with other vehicles".^[17] However, he was writing at the time when the Cycle Superhighways were not physically segregated from the road.

An unofficial photo journey with commentary along the current super highways is available.^[18]

The building of the routes has not been without opposition. On 19 July 2011 the Mayor's office announced the opening of two more cycle superhighways, CS2 from Bow to Aldgate and CS8 from Westminster to Wandsworth.^[19] CS2 was originally being planned to extend as far as Ilford, but was met with opposition by the Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales. Blaming enough roadworks already on Stratford High Street, Sir Robin Wales made the decision to block the route from entering Newham on the grounds of cyclists' safety. The route has since been extended east around the A11/A12 roundabout as far as the Stratford gyratory.

Quietways

Signage for three Quietway cycle routes on Moor Lane.

Unlike Cycle Superhighways which are intended to give cyclists a quicker way around London, Quietways, also promoted by Transport for London,^[20] target less confident cyclists who want to use lower traffic routes, whilst also providing for existing cyclists who want to travel at a more gentle pace.

Routes are generally along back-streets, through parks, along waterways or tree-lined streets, and are designed to overcome barriers to cycling such as high volumes of traffic and unsafe crossings. The route numbers are shown in purple on signs and maps.

Routes

The first Quietway (Q1) opened in June 2016 and runs between Waterloo and Greenwich.^[21] Most of the first seven Quietway routes (Q1–Q7) are due to be completed by the end of 2017, with several more Quietways expected to be delivered over time.^[7][20]

London Cycle Network routes

Examples of route confirmation signage and road markings for London Cycle Network routes.

Other Signage for LCN routes including Directions, Destinations and Distances

Several London Cycle Network routes are signposted with route numbers, depending on whether the route is considered to be radial or orbital and which of four sectors the route is contained within. Some of these routes are also part of the National Cycle Network - these are signposted with route numbers on a red background. The LCN route numbers are broadly grouped as follows:^[33]

The route numbers currently in use with details of the primary destinations served (other destinations are in brackets) are as follows:^[33][34]

National and international routes

Route number design for NCN routes. Unlike local or regional routes, NCN routes use a red background.

National Cycle Network routes

Eight National Cycle Network (NCN) routes pass through London:

• NCN1 Dartford - Greenwich – (Lea Valley) – Tottenham – (Edmonton) - Waltham Abbey (follows the Thames and Lea rivers)
• NCN4 Greenwich - South Bank – Richmond Park – (Barnes) - Kingston - Windsor
• NCN6 Paddington – (Alperton) - Uxbridge
• NCN13 Purfleet – Rainham – Barking (Royal Docks) – City (same route as CS3)
• NCN20 (the Avenue Verte follows the Wandle Trail from Wandsworth - Carshalton, then on to Coulsdon).
• NCN21 Waterlink Way from Greenwich - Lewisham - Catford – (Elmers End) – (New Addington) - Crawley
• NCN212: (Beddington Park, Sutton – South Norwood Country Park, Croydon)
• NCN232: (Mitcham Common, Merton – Lloyd Park, Croydon)

EuroVelo and other international routes

Two EuroVelo routes pass through London: these are EuroVelo 2 (dubbed the Capitals' Route, which runs between Ireland and Moscow) and EuroVelo 5 (called the Via Romea Francigena, which runs between London and Rome).

Other international routes include the Avenue Verte route which runs between London and Paris. The Avenue Verte follows the NCN20 for much of the way out of London and crosses the English Channel via the Newhaven – Dieppe ferry.

TfL Cycling Guides

Transport for London publish several cycling maps which cover the following regions (by guide number):^[35]

1. Central London
2. Edgware, Mill Hill, Finchley, Barnet, Wood Green, Enfield, Tottenham, Chingford
3. Northwood, Pinner, Ruislip, Stanmore, Harrow, Wembley, Kenton, Edgware, Mill Hill, Hendon
4. Mill Hill, Hendon, Hampstead, Finchley, Wood Green, Tottenham, Chingford, Woodford, Walthamstow, Hackney, Islington
5. Woodford, Wanstead, Ilford, Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Harold Wood
6. Uxbridge, Hayes, Heathrow, Hounslow, Southall, Greenford, Ealing, Willesden, Acton, Chiswick
7. Kensington, Battersea, Brixton, Willesden, Camden Town, Islington, Stepney, West Ham, Poplar, Greenwich, Woolwich
8. Beckton, Barking, Dagenham, Charlton, Woolwich, Plumstead, Erith, Eltham
9. Hounslow, Heathrow, Feltham, Chiswick, Twickenham, Wandsworth, Richmond, Kingston, Surbiton, Sutton
10. Bromley, Beckenham, Crystal Palace, Catford, Lewisham, Streatham, Mitcham, Wandsworth, Kingston, Surbiton
11. Lewisham, Catford, Beckenham, Bromley, Eltham, Bexley, Sidcup, Chislehurst, Orpington
12. Sutton, Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Purley, Carshalton, Croydon
13. Coulsdon, Sanderstead, Purley, Croydon, New Addington, Farnborough, Biggin Hill
14. Hampstead, Tottenham, Wood Green, Stoke Newington, Hackney, Clapham, Tooting, Sydenham

See also

• Cycling in London
• Santander Cycles
• National Cycle Network
• Cycleways in England
• List of cycleways
• London greenways
• Segregated cycle facilities

References

External links

• Transport for London (TfL)
• TfL Cycling Guides
• Sustrans
• Where Are London's Cycle Superhighways? (YouTube video from Londonist Ltd)
• Detailed map and video of full Quietway 1 route