List of cycle routes in London

From summer 2019, TfL started branding new cycle routes (and re-branding and consolidating some existing routes) as 'Cycleways'.^[1][2] This was following feedback and criticism that the previous branding ('Superhighways' and 'Quietways') was sometimes "misleading".^[3]

All new and existing routes must meet new, stricter 'Cycling Quality Criteria' in order for TfL to sign them as Cycleways.^[3]

The Central London Cycle Grid is a partially completed scheme^[4] within central London which includes both numbered and unnumbered Cycleways, Cycle Superhighways and Quietways.

Cycle Superhighways

London's Cycle Superhighways were a set of Bike freeways, that were aimed principally at commuters and more experienced cyclists, providing faster and more direct radial routes between outer and central London.^[1]In addition to route signage with a pink logo, other distinctive features included blue cycle lanes on some of the routes (the brand colour of the scheme's original sponsor, Barclays) and 'totem' style signage pillars.

History

London's Cycle Superhighways were first announced in 2008 by Mayor Ken Livingstone.^[30] The original proposal consisted of 12 radial routes, with routes numbered in 'clock face' fashion.^[31] However, several of these proposed routes were never built, due to opposition from the respective London boroughs.^[32] Initial implementation of the cycle superhighways also drew criticism on safety grounds, with poor design at some junctions, insufficient segregation of cyclists from motor traffic and slippery surfaces all contributing to numerous fatalities.^{[33][34][35][36]}

In 2018 TfL dropped the 'cycle superhighway' name from use on any further projects. All the existing Cycle Superhighways are now part of the Cycleways network and will be rebranded as a numbered 'Cycleway'.^{[citation needed]}

Quietways

First announced in 2015, TfL's Quietways^[37] targeted less confident cyclists who want to use routes with less traffic, whilst also providing for existing cyclists who want to travel at a more gentle pace. The route numbers were shown in purple on signs.

The scheme lasted only three years before TfL decided to drop the Quietways brand, using 'Cycleways' for further new routes. All Quietways are now formally part of the Cycleways network and the delivered Quietways are being gradually rebranded as 'Cycleways' (and renumbered in most cases).

In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting need to maintain social distancing, TfL announced a programme of measures that includes additional cycling provision.^[40] Some of these measures are described as 'temporary', although others appear to include fast-tracking of permanent cycle routes. TfL implemented routes delivered under this programme have so far included:

Additionally, numerous pop up cycle routes have been funded by TfL or the Department for Transport as part of Streetspace, but implemented by boroughs. Funding has also been provided for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, which have filtered roads to prevent through traffic through residential areas, having a knock on effect on cycling by improving links through these areas. As of January 2021, TfL's website^[47] listed over 30 different Streetspace schemes. Sustrans published a map of streetspace interventions.^[48]

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

The London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+) aimed to provide a 900 kilometre network of cycle routes throughout Greater London. It was funded by Transport for London and managed by the LCN+ Project Team at the London Borough of Camden. It was launched in 2001, replacing the earlier London Cycle Network (LCN) project (which had begun rollout in 1981, originally planning 3000 miles of signposted routes^[49]), and wound up in 2010.

Although some LCN routes have been upgraded to TfL's new Quietways and Cycle Superhighways, the majority throughout Greater London still exist and are signposted and/or indicated by carriageway markings (although not all the signage uses route numbers). Where route numbers are used in signs, this is usually the LCN route number, but on some route sections the 'LCN+ link' number has been used on signs. (LCN+ link numbers were usually internal reference numbers used for project management.)^[50]

London Cycle Network routes

The LCN route numbering used a radial and orbital scheme, as shown by the groupings in the table below. Some routes were also part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network – these are signposted with route numbers on a red background.^[51] There were also a comparable number of un-numbered routes in the scheme. These are not listed in the table below.

The last edition of the LCN route map to be published was the 5th edition (2004).^[52]

National Cycle Network routes

The sustainable transport charity Sustrans describe their National Cycle Network (NCN) as "a network of safe traffic-free paths and quiet on-road cycling" that "criss-cross the country, linking up villages, towns and cities".^[54] Eleven of these pass through London. NCN routes are signed with white lettering on a blue background, save for the route number, set on a small red rectangle.^[55] In July 2020 Sustrans de-designated nearly a quarter of its National Cycle Network on safety grounds,^[56] including some in London.Alternative text

International Cycle Network routes

Per the notes column above, sections of the National Cycle Network are co-opted by the European Cyclists' Federation as forming part of their international EuroVelo network, which is largely aimed at promoting cycling tourism in Europe. Additionally the Avenue Verte international route between London and Paris begins in central London.

Neither EV2 nor EV12 are signed as EuroVelo routes, so cyclists would instead need to rely on the relevant national route (NCN) signage.

Route number	Route name	Comment	via these UK cities/towns	Through these countries
	EuroVelo 2 – The Capitals Route	Follows the course of NCN  4  along the River Thames from west London to Greenwich, and then follows NCN  1  northwards towards Colchester.	Holyhead - Bristol - Bath - Reading - London - Harwich	Ireland,  United Kingdom,  Netherlands,  Germany,  Poland,  Belarus,  Russia
	EuroVelo 12 – North Sea Cycle Route	Within London this follows the course of NCN  1 , passing along the River Thames from Dartford to Greenwich and then continuing northwards towards Colchester.	Dover - Canterbury - London - Norwich - Hull - Newcastle - Edinburgh - Aberdeen - Inverness	Norway,  Sweden,  Denmark,  Germany,  Netherlands,  Belgium,  France,  United Kingdom
AV	Avenue Verte	Beginning at the London Eye, this mainly follows NCN  4 , NCN  20 , NCN  21  and NCN  2  as it passes through south London, Surrey, West Sussex and East Sussex.	London - Redhill - Crawley - Forest Row - Heathfield - Hailsham - Newhaven	United Kingdom,  France

London's "Greenways" are a loosely defined collection of mostly traffic-free shared cycling and walking routes, predominantly within (or connecting to) various parks and open spaces within Greater London. TfL and Sustrans claimed that "Greenways should be suitable for use by a novice adult cyclist, a family with young children or a sensible, unaccompanied 12-year-old".^[59][60]

Greenways in London have been developed by numerous different bodies, including Sustrans (who began the Greenways initiative in 1994^[61]), Transport for London, the Canal and River Trust, the London Boroughs, the Royal Parks, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority, under various different funding programmes (including the 2009–2014 London Greenways scheme, the 2012 Games Walking and Cycling Routes programme,^[62] 'Connect2', the National Cycle Network, and others).

The routes tend to have names rather than numbers, and many of them use waymarking signs or markers in the carriageway, but there is no consistent scheme covering all of them. Some of the Greenways have been co-opted into the other TfL or Sustrans schemes listed earlier in this article.

The table below lists the most notable Greenways in London.

‡ These routes were developed for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games

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

• Transport for London (TfL)
• Transport for London's Cycle map
• National Cycle Network map
• Best (National Cycle Network) routes in London (Sustrans)
• Where Are London's Cycle Superhighways? (YouTube video from Londonist Ltd)
• Detailed map and video of full Quietway 1 route
• London Cycle network +
• Greenways Report