How to transport your bike around London and the UK
Transporting your bicycle on public transportation isn’t always straightforward. If you want to take it on a coach or train, make sure you check all the rules beforehand. Here’s how to go about doing that.
The most common way to travel around London is by walking. However, there are some things you need to consider when transporting your bicycle. First, make sure that you don’t damage your frame. This includes riding over bumps and potholes. Also, avoid carrying your bike while wearing heavy clothing. You might end up damaging your tires by dragging them along the ground. Finally, make sure you keep your wheels straight. Otherwise, you risk getting into trouble with the police.
If you plan to use a bus or train, make sure that you buy a ticket in advance. Some buses and trains require tickets to board. In addition, some routes allow bicycles on certain days of the week. Check the route map carefully to see whether your destination falls within one of those zones.
There are several different types of coaches and trains. Each type offers slightly different levels of comfort. For example, some offer onboard toilets, others don’t. To find out more information about each type of vehicle, check out our guide here.
You can also opt for a taxi. But note that taxis aren’t allowed to carry passengers with wheeled luggage. Instead, they must drop off passengers at designated points.
Finally, you could rent a car. But bear in mind that parking spaces in central London tend to be scarce. So, unless you live near the city center, renting a car might prove difficult.
Taking your bike on public transport in London
Cycling in London isn’t just about riding along the roads. There are plenty of options to explore the city on two wheels. Here are some ways to make sure you don’t miss out on cycling while travelling around the capital.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which runs alongside the river and across the Isle of Dogs, is one of the best ways to travel around London without getting stuck in traffic. During off-peak hours there are no restrictions on where you can take your bike on board. However, during peak hours, folding bikes are not permitted on the train. If you want to bring a non-folding bike onto the DLR, it must be locked up securely.
If you prefer to cycle on the road, you can use the Cycle Hire scheme, which allows you to rent a bike from docking stations around central London. These bikes are usually electric models, although there are also mountain bikes available. For those who like to cycle further afield, London Cycling Campaign offers free membership to anyone over 16 years old. This gives access to hundreds of miles of routes throughout the UK.
You can even cycle on the River Thames. A number of companies offer boat trips down the waterway, including City Sightseeing, which runs sightseeing tours around the sights of Central London. Alternatively, you could hire a bicycle from Bike Tours London, which operates guided rides around the city.
Taking your bike on the tube?
If you want to take your bike on the London underground, there are several options. You could use one of the special bikes designed for the tube, such as the Brompton folding bike. Or you could buy a ticket for a normal bike and pay £2.50 extra per journey. But what about the rest of us? What if we don’t fancy riding a giant foldable bike down the escalator? Well, here are some alternatives. Another option is to use the London overground but that’s a topic for another article.
Go on foot
You can walk up to 10 miles in London in under 30 minutes, and it’s free. If you do decide to go on foot, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. And remember to bring water.
Use public transport
London buses run every few minutes, and you can pay just £2.50 for a single journey. Trains run frequently too.
Ride a bike
There are plenty of places where you can ride a bike in central London. Most people choose to cycle along the Thames Path, which runs alongside the river.
Cycles on public transport
Foldable bicycles are legal in most cities around the world. But there are some exceptions. In China, electric bikes are banned on public transportation because they could cause traffic jams. And in India, folded e-bikes are prohibited on trains and busses.
But what about folding electric scooters? They are technically considered vehicles, so they fall under the same rules as regular bikes. However, in Taiwan, it is against the law to fold a motorized vehicle. So, while you might be able to fold a bicycle into a small space, you cannot do the same with an electric scooter.
Coach
Megabus states that bicycles are NOT permitted on coach journeys. However, folding bikes are allowed on coach journey if they fit into a normal sized bag. You can carry a bicycle onto an intercity bus if you fit it into a standard sized bag, however there is no additional charge.
Train
The best way to travel around London is by train. You don’t even need a ticket – just buy one online beforehand. If you’re travelling alone, it’s easy to find someone else to sit with. And if you’re flying into London Heathrow Airport, there are plenty of trains heading out of the airport too. But booking tickets early is essential. Here are some tips…
Book early
If you book ahead, you’ll save money. You’ll avoid queues and get a seat. There are lots of different types of tickets available, including advance purchase tickets, day return tickets and season tickets. Advance purchase tickets cost less per journey than day return tickets. Season tickets offer cheaper fares over longer periods.
Get off the beaten track
London is full of great places to explore – but most people stick to the main tourist areas. So why not try something different? Take a look at our list of hidden gems. They might be a little further away, but they’re worth the effort.
Use public transport
You don’t always need to use a taxi. Many attractions are within walking distance of each other. Or take advantage of the tube network. London Underground is cheap and efficient. Just remember to keep hold of your Oyster card or contactless credit/debit card while you’re underground.
Tram
The London Underground is one of the most famous transport networks in the world. But it’s also one of the oldest – dating back to 1900. In fact, it’s older than New York City’s subway system. So how did it come about? And what does the future hold for the network? We take a look at some of the history behind the tube…
What If You’re Unsure Whether You Can Take Your Bike On Your Train?
If you live near a train station and want to take your bike on board, there are some things you need to consider. Here’s what you need to know about taking bikes onto trains.
Do I Need A Ticket For Taking My Bike On The Train?
If you want to ride your folding bike on public transport, it seems like you’re out of luck. But don’t worry – we’ve got some good news for you. You can take your folding bicycle on all offpeak services, including those running during weekends and bank holidays. And you can take your regular, non folding bike on any service except during peak times. So what’s the catch? Well, you’ll need to buy a ticket. If you’re travelling on the Tube, you can use Oyster cards. Tickets cost £3.30 each way. Or, if you’d rather avoid the hassle, you could always pay cash.
But there’s one thing you shouldn’t do – bring your bike into the station without paying. Transport for London says it’s “illegal to carry bicycles inside stations unless they are folded up”. So, if you see someone riding their bike in the station, make sure to ask them to fold it up. They might even let you borrow theirs while they wait for the next train.