Preparing a good route is essential for cycling, but luckily it’s one of the most fun parts. There are lots of helpful resources, including:

• Local borough maps. Contact your local council offices to find out more.
• Google maps. An especially useful resource which uses the Google map interface is www.bikehike.co.uk. You can interactively plot your route onscreen and find out gradient and distance data.
• Transport for London cycle guides. You can order them online here.
• LCN+ maps. These can be viewed online here.
• A good old-fashioned A to Z!

When you plan your route you should aim for:

• Quiet roads or roads with cycle paths
• Low speed limit areas
• Parks and open spaces which allow cycling

And you should avoid:

• Very busy junctions
• Large and fast roundabouts
• Dual carriageways
• Routes heavy with lorries
• Pavements. It’s illegal to cycle on the pavement, unless it’s signed as a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians.

If any of these are unavoidable, you can always get off and push!