Cycling to work has become increasingly popular in London. We haven’t got to the point of cycle superhighways, yet, but the number of daily bike trips has been growing since 2021, and there are plans to extend the cycle lane network so that by 2030, 40% of Londoners will live within 400m of a cycleway.
To accommodate this growing trend, many offices are becoming more bike-friendly by providing various amenities for cyclists. In this article, we’ll explore what makes an office bike-friendly and highlight some of the best bike-friendly office locations in London.
What Makes a Bike-Friendly Office?
Regular exercise is good for mental health and physical health. And by deciding to cycle commute to work, you’re also contributing to reducing air pollution. A bike-friendly office supports and encourages cycling through various features and amenities, such as:
- Secure bike storage: Offices should provide safe, secure, and easily accessible bike storage areas to ensure cyclists can park their bikes and cycling equipment with peace of mind.
- Showers and changing facilities: To accommodate employees who cycle to work, offices should offer clean and well-maintained showers and changing rooms. Or at least spacious enough bathrooms to change into work clothes.
- Repairs stations: Having on-site or nearby bike repair stations equipped with essential tools can be a significant convenience for cyclists.
- Cycle to Work scheme: Offices that participate in the Cycle to Work scheme offer financial incentives for employees to purchase bikes and cycling gear.
- Bike maintenance workshops: Regularly scheduled bicycle maintenance workshops help employees keep their bikes in top condition and promote a cycling culture at work to increase uptake among those yet convinced.
- Bike-friendly routes: Offices located near dedicated cycling lanes or routes encourage more employees to cycle to work. In London, there are approximately 223 miles of marked cycle ways.
Bike-friendly office locations in London
1. City of London
The City is well-connected thanks to a dense network of bike lanes and cycling-friendly roads that make commuting by bike a convenient option. In 2023, there were more cyclists than motorists in the City on a daily basis, in addition to 3,000 parking spaces and reduced speed limits for cars and public transport within the Square Mile.
To make cycling in London a more appealing option for office workers, many offices in the City have invested in secure bicycle parking, showers, lockers, and other bike-friendly facilities. An example is the Deloitte office, which has a large cycle park and on-site repair shop.
2. Belgravia
Offices in Belgravia are a good option for cyclists due to the relatively low levels of traffic in the area and their proximity to nearby car-free areas like Hyde Park and Green Park. Moreover, the local council recently introduced several cycle hoops, so parking here is a safe option even in offices that don’t have bike storage on-site.
Cycling times are 10 mins to Westminster and Leicester Square, and 20 mins to the City.
3. Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is not only one of the most sought-after office locations in London, it also ranks high in terms of bike-friendly facilities. These include more than 1,300 bike park spaces and an additional 3,700 parking spaces in private office buildings. Overall, this is a very safe area due to being a private estate with plenty of surveillance.
Cycling times are 25 minutes to Liverpool Street and 20 minutes to Cannon Street / Bank area.
4. Kensington
Offices in Kensington offer a prestigious address in one of the most desirable London locations. It’s easy to cycle to the office here, since there are several waymarked cycling routes and quietways connecting the area with Westminster, Battersea, Wembley, Paddington, and East London.
Luxury offices here are often equipped with bike racks and showers, and there are public initiatives by the local council offering free monthly bike checks at designated locations.
Cycling times are 25 minutes to Charing Cross, 20 minutes to Oxford Circus, and 10 minutes to Paddington and Hammersmith stations.
5. Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is one of the best-connected areas in central London, and that applies to people who cycle commute to the office too. Offices in Knightsbridge are minutes away from Hyde Park, which offers a mostly traffic-free way of getting to Marble Arch (5 minutes), Paddington (10 minutes), and Kensington (15 minutes).
There are e-bikes for hire on the street connecting Knightsbridge with Hyde Park, which come in handy for office workers who don’t want to buy their own.
6. Marylebone
Marylebone’s residential and village-like feel makes it a very attractive location for companies wanting to encourage their staff to cycle to work at their own pace.
Offices in Marylebone are within easy reach of the C27 cycleway, which traverses London east to west from Acton to Walthamstow. Away from other road users, this cycleway runs parallel to Marylebone Road, a couple of blocks away from Regent’s Park.
7. Vauxhall
Offices in Vauxhall are in close proximity to bike docking stations and not far from the Jubilee Greenway. There are other cycleways connecting the most important areas in Lambeth, which allow commuters to cycle between Vauxhall and Southwark or London Bridge in 15 minutes, and to reach Waterloo and Battersea Park in 10 minutes.
8. Hackney
A local newspaper found that Hackney has the highest percentage of commuters who cycle to work of all London boroughs. More than 100 streets have been filtered to reduce vehicle volume and to make cycling safer, and local cycleways connect the area with King’s Cross, Brixton, Archway, the City, and Tottenham Court Road.
Hackney offices are equipped with showers, bike racks, and other bike-friendly amenities.
9. King’s Cross
After its redevelopment, the King’s Cross area has become one of the city’s most bicycle-friendly neighbourhoods in London. Employees with an office job in King’s Cross can cycle along the Regent’s Canal towards Regent’s Park or all the way to East London and Limehouse.
Free bike MOTs are offered once a month, as well as a one-stop shop for cyclists, with everything from clothing to mechanic workshops and bike fitting services.
Cycling times are 13 minutes to Farringdon, 20 minutes to Liverpool Street, 10 minutes to Camden.
Conclusion
Cycling to work is an established trend in London, and many offices are adapting to meet the needs of cyclists. By offering amenities like secure bike storage, showers, repair stations, or participating in the Cycle to Work government initiative, office-based businesses can support their employees in leading healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
Seeking Out Bike-Friendly Office Space Options in London?
The above got you inspired to take up cycling to work? We have a wide range of bike-friendly office space options to fit any business at any growth stage. Feel free to call us on 020 3965 9617 to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable office space consultants. Whether you commute by car, Tube, bus, or bike, our workspace professionals will assist you and your company in finding the ideal office space in Central or Outer London to meet your specific requirements.
Below are some of our other recent articles on business and office space for further reading:
London Office Market Report 2024
Office Design Trends in Central London Office Space
New Developments in London Office Space: Central
Benefits of Modular Office Furniture for Flexible Workspaces
How to Upgrade Your Office Space in Central London
Navigating Central London Office Market Trends
Emerging Areas for Affordable Office Space: London
Historical Buildings with Offices to Rent in Central London