In London, UK, cyclists participating in a biking event pass by the Houses of Parliament.
London Mayor Boris Johnson and Arnold Schwarzenegger ride bicycles
London’s public bicycle rental facilities
For the UK, the bicycle has always been a source of pride. From the eight-gold glory at the Beijing Olympics to fulfilling a century-old dream on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Britain has long taken pride in it.
And as the Olympics returned to London, we also tried to lift the mysterious veil covering British cycling and experience the unique "cycling culture" of the UK.
During the Olympics, the bicycle became the best mode of transportation
When the Olympic events truly began, London’s traffic became increasingly complex. Driving on the streets, you’d helplessly find that two-way roads turned into one-way, one-way into something else, and roads that used to allow turns were suddenly blocked off.
At such times, the bicycle became the most perfect way to get around the city. On the roads near Westminster, traffic police stood guard along the roadside every day, each responsible for directing traffic over a stretch of about 10 meters. While private cars, taxis, and even buses had to sheepishly make way, only bicycles could freely weave past under the noses of the police.
In fact, even before the Olympics, London had already invested in building a bicycle rental system. And this system had no time restrictions. In the early hours of the 28th, after the opening ceremony ended, the subway’s last trains had already stopped running, and many people on the streets were riding public bicycles home.
Roy is a recent graduate and office worker. There’s a bike rental station near his home, and public bicycles have become his daily essential mode of transport. “I haven’t been in London long, I don’t own a car, and I’m not very familiar with the roads—bicycles are just more reliable.”
In ever-cautious London, bicycle theft has also become an important issue. The British government has designated many areas on the streets specifically for bicycle parking, and installed knee-high iron poles. Whether you’re riding a private bicycle or can’t find a docking station for a public bike, you can lock your bike to these poles.
The bicycle—a sentiment the British can’t let go of
Strolling down the streets of London is like attending a “luxury car exhibition.” From flashy sports cars like Ferraris and Lamborghinis to vintage cars with unpronounceable names, everything whizzing by is a “symbol of status.”
But among them, there is one mode of transport that plays a special role—the bicycle, an item that can be labeled as youthful, fashionable, and healthy.
Never doubt the British enthusiasm for bicycles. At the very least, British traffic rules and road sign designs have never left bicycles out. Even the commonly available traffic rule handbooks in roadside bookstores have dedicated sections that visually and textually guide cyclists on how to get around.
And unlike in China, the bicycle lanes on British roads can hardly be called “lanes.” They are actually just narrow strips marked along the very edge of motor vehicle lanes, often no wider than twenty centimeters—just enough for one person to ride through.
But don’t worry about the safety of cyclists, because British drivers are considerate toward cyclists and will slow down when they see them from a distance.
Besides thoughtful services and traffic setups, another highlight of British cycling culture is the countless cycling associations and clubs. Whether joining as a group, a family, or a couple, you can take part in various cycling competitions, “historic city tours,” or even “cross-border rides.”
Of course, amid all the praise, the critical British media still complains in their daily reports—such as why bicycles are so expensive? (A regular new road bike costs around £400, while a second-hand mountain bike generally goes for about £50.) Why are bicycle bells heard less and less? Why do they always speed along the roads on bikes?
Cycling is an attitude, and even more so, a culture. Thanks to the Olympics, British cycling culture has once again stepped into the spotlight.
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