This is a list of cycle routes in London that have been waymarked with formal route signage include 'Cycleways' (including 'Cycle Superhighways' and 'Quietways) and the older London Cycle Network, all designated by the local government body Transport for London (TfL), National Cycle Network routes designated by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, and miscellaneous 'Greenways' created by various bodies. Most recently, in May 2020 TfL announced its 'Streetspace for London' in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not all these routes are dedicated 'traffic free' cycle tracks: most of them also include ordinary roads shared with motor traffic and footpaths shared with pedestrians.
Cycleways
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.
As an upgrade to the old LCN 11 route, Cycle Superhighway 2 initially consisted mostly of 'blue paint' cycle lanes. In 2016, after safety concerns and fatalities, the majority of the route was further upgraded to separated cycle tracks [1].[7] In September 2021, the whole section was signposted as C2.
CS3 was rebranded as C3 during January and February 2023. The initial section of CS3 from Barking to Tower Hill was largely an upgrade to the old LCN 13 route. Sustrans has also designated much of this stretch as being part of their NCN 13 . In 2017, TfL constructed a lengthy extension of CS3 to Lancaster Gate.
Originally announced as Cycle Superhighway 4, Cycleway 4 is open from Tower Bridge Road to Greenwich, although only the Bermondsey section is signed. As of May 2021, a temporary extension of the route to Monument station and a further temporary alignment of the route between Greenwich and Charlton (signed only as C) were both open, funded by the Streetspace for London programme. The Surrey Quays section of the route is an interim alignment. Eventually C4 is proposed to run from London Bridge to Plumstead via Woolwich.
Initially planned to link Waterloo to Croydon, but only the section from C14 (on Union Street) to Clapham Common has been launched. Initially named Q5, it also incorporates what was the southern most section of London's shortest Cycle Superhighway, the CS5. It was rebranded as Cycleway 5 in December 2021.
This route continues to be referred to as a Cycle Superhighway route by TfL. It featured few separated lanes, but during 2020, as part of the response to COVID-19, several sections were upgraded to segregated lanes, including the use of 'floating bus stops'.
During 2020, the stretch of CS8 between Vauxhall Bridge and Chelsea Bridge (along Grosvenor Road and Millbank) was largely segregated from the carriageway with 'wands'; in early 2021 this stretch was re-signed as C8.
Partly launched in Hounslow, extending eastwards from Brentford as far as Hammersmith and Fulham (where the route is yet to be signed, as it is yet to be upgraded from its current temporary infrastructure.)
Formerly Q1. The portion in Bermondsey/Southwark also forms part of NCN 425 (and includes stretches that were formerly LCN 2 ).
Missing section of the route across Waterloo Bridge: Streetspace for London plans[15] included possible road restriction to only cyclists and buses on the bridge.[15]
Includes a large section of the former Q11 route. Runs from Islington's Essex Road to Farringdon Road via Barbican and provides a connection between C27 , C13 and C6 . It also connects to CS7 and C3 via a C link that previously was part of Q11.
Originally planned and partially signposted as Q14, C14 is waymarked from Blackfriars Road (where it meets C6) as far as Tower Bridge Road, where it meets C4. It is also signed from the Jamaica Road/Dockhead junction, as far as South Dock near the Lewisham border, mostly following NCN 4 . The route also runs from Greenwich Town Centre to Thamesmead, mostly running along the NCN 1 Thames Path.
Valentines Park is closed at night. Formerly signed as Q6, which was planned to extend from Mile End to Barkingside, but Tower Hamlets council's originally proposed section was not approved by TfL.
An upgrade to the section of LCN 16 along The Greenway connecting C2 and C3 . Formerly known as Q22, this route is planned to be extended to Victoria Park.
This upgraded an 8 km section of the old LCN route along Lea Bridge Road.[19] Eastwards the route currently ends to the south of Waterworks Roundabout. A westwards extension to Dalston is mostly complete as of Nov 2024.
Part of a long east-west Quietway formerly known as Q2. The Waltham Forest section of the route now shares a section of C23 and goes via Argall (instead of following the former Q2 alignment that passed outside the south entrance to Walthamstow Wetlands.)
An upgrade to part of the old LCN 3 route; initially waymarked as Quietway Q19 before being rebranded as Cycleway 28 in December 2019. Has a C-link to Kingston University and there is also a signed connection towards Surbiton (crossing over to Palace Road to get to C29 ).
Route is open, although there are short sections where the proposed mini-holland cycling infrastructure has not yet been delivered (due to reduced funding post-COVID).
The initial section of C50 is from C6 at Camden Town to York Way. An interim route has opened between Holloway and Finsbury Park, but is not yet signed as being C50.
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.[29] The original proposal consisted of 12 radial routes, with routes numbered in 'clock face' fashion.[30] However, several of these proposed routes were never built, due to opposition from the respective London boroughs.[31] 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.[32][33][34][35]
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[36] 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).
List of existing Quietway routes that were implemented before the scheme was halted:
Originally planned to link Gladstone Park with Regent's Park, but Camden and Westminster boroughs have not yet implement their sections of the route. Approximately half of the implemented section is an upgrade to the old LCN 48 .
Links leading off Q15 in Kensington (map, map, map)
Streetspace for London
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.[38] 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:
List of notable Streetspace routes implemented by TfL
5 Bus Gates have been installed to create a bus and cycle only street from Shoreditch High Street to Monument Junction, 0700-1900 Monday to Friday.[40]
Upgrade of existing with flow cycle lanes to be mostly light segregated lanes, plus the creation of bus stop bypasses, on the section from Alderbrook Road to Colliers Wood.[42][43]
Upgrade of existing with flow cycle lanes to be mostly light segregated lanes, plus the creation of bus stop bypasses along Millbank from Lambeth Bridge to Chelsea Bridge.[44]
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[45] listed over 30 different Streetspace schemes. Sustrans published a map of streetspace interventions.[46]
London Cycle Network Plus
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[47]), 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.)[48]
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.[49] 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).[50]
Orbital routes in Central zone:
Route Number
Route
Notes
Map
0 (Seven Stations Circular)
City (→ Liverpool St.) – (Waterloo) – Westminster – Marylebone (→ Paddington) – Bloomsbury (→ Euston) – (→ King's Cross) – Finsbury – The City
A number of route sections are now part of new TfL routes: • the north end of Southwark bridge to Elephant and Castle: CS7 • outside St Thomas' Hospital: C56 • south side of Green Park: C3 • some of the Westminster section and all of the Camden section: C27 • Lever Street to Southwark Bridge: C11 and C
Central London – Peckham Rye – Catford – Bromley – Orpington
One section in Bermondsey (Willow Walk/Lynton Road) is now part of C10 . In summer 2020, the section between Peckham and Burgess Park was upgraded to C35 .
This route is an 'orbital' one in south London from Shepherd's Bush in the west, to Eltham in the south east, but it is non-continuous with several gaps.
Shares most of its route with the old LCN 7 . The route was never way-marked on the ground and appears to have been de-designated as a National Cycle Network route by Sustrans in 2020.
Croydon Parks Link, sections opened 2016, 2017.[51] Previously referred to as a National Cycle Network route, but appears to have been de-designated by Sustrans in 2020 (the situation being unclear as the route had already been omitted from their mapping prior to that).
Croydon Parks Link, sections opened 2016, 2017.[51] Part of route is along A232. Previously referred to as a National Cycle Network route, but appears to have been de-designated by Sustrans in 2020 (the situation being unclear as the route had already been omitted from their mapping prior to that).
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".[52] 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.[53] In July 2020 Sustrans de-designated nearly a quarter of its National Cycle Network on safety grounds,[54] including some in London.
Alternative text
Also serves as part of international routes EuroVelo 2 and EuroVelo 12 (see below), and was London Cycle Network route LCN1. In 2019, a section in Greenwich was co-designated Q14.
The international Avenue Verte from London to Paris follows NCN20; TfL's unsigned Quietway 4 shares the route of NCN20 between Earlsfield and the Wandle Meadow Nature Park
Also serves as part of international route EuroVelo 2 (see below), and was London Cycle Network route LCN4. In March 2020, a section in Bermondsey was co-designated as TfL's C14 .
8.1 km route built with a grant from the National Lottery. Some of the central section also became C10 (formerly Q1). In summer 2020, a section between Burgess Park and Q1 was co-designated C35 .
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.
Within London this follows the course of NCN 1 , passing along the River Thames from Dartford to Greenwich and then continuing northwards towards Colchester.
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'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".[57][58]
Greenways in London have been developed by numerous different bodies, including Sustrans (who began the Greenways initiative in 1994[59]), 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,[60] '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.
London Greenway routes:
Name
Description
Map
Routes in or connecting to parks, green spaces and nature reserves:
Various infrastructure improvements on the Jubilee Greenway and associated routes between C3 and the Woolwich Foot Tunnel.
Greendale Extension
New link from the Greendale (LCN23) to Ruskin Park.
‡ Epping Forest Greenway
Route from Stratford to Epping Forest. Skirts the boundaries of West Ham cemetery, Wanstead Flats, Harrow Road playing fields, Bush Wood and Leyton Flats.
Also known as the 'Elevated Greenway'. Route from Stratford to Beckton built on top of the Northern Outfall Sewer. Most of the route is now designated Q22 (formerly LCN16)–see above.