Cycle Buddies - seeking a buddy

When you create your Cycle Buddies profile, you’ll be asked about the sort of rides you are looking to do, where you live and what you are looking for in a cycling buddy.

You’ll then see a list of cycle buddies either near your work address or your home address. You can switch between addresses. The list of Cycle Buddies and/or cycle instructors will be filtered according to your answers about the kind of help you want. You can also edit these answers in your profile as you become more confident and your goals evolve.

Once you’ve completed your profile you’ll then be able to contact a Cycle Buddy directly through the platform.  Get in touch to discuss your goals and arrange a time and place to meet. Make sure you follow the advice on meeting up safely.

You set the pace with Cycle Buddies. Tell your buddy about your cycling experience and what you want to do. You decide how far and fast you cycle, and if you’d like to meet for more rides.

Set cycling goals for yourself and tell your buddy what they are. Keep track of your progress and share it with your buddy. After you’ve ridden together, share your story with friends and family and on social media, and let us know how it went.

Absolutely yes. There is a huge cycling community among disabled people – see Wheels for Wellbeing for some starting inspiration. Some helper buddies and instructors will have lived experience of this, use adapted bikes, or work with inclusive cycling groups – mention it when you’re getting in touch with people and find someone who knows how to help you.

That’s okay! There are lots of options – have a chat to your buddy.

Currently in London there are shared hire bikes and e-bikes available from Santander Cycles, Lime, Tier, HumanForest, Dott and more. For these you’ll need to sign-up to unlock the bike via apps that also show you where your nearest bike is.

You can also access longer-term bike hire through companies like Swapfiets and Buzzbike. Sometimes local cycle hubs will have bikes you can borrow to practice with and some councils offer bikes on short loan schemes to try out.

And if you’re getting a formal lesson from a cycle instructor, some instructors can provide you with a bike – just ask.

If you’re looking to buy a bike, our retail network map shows LCC-affiliated shops where you can try and purchase bikes, and there is often support or vouchers available through workplaces e.g. the Cycle to Work scheme. And check our our top tips for buying second-hand.

When you create your profile, you can choose to only be matched with riders of the same gender. You can also change this on your profile at any time. No one can choose to only be matched with people of the opposite gender.

Yes! Explore our advice pages here and also listed below. If there is something you want to know that’s missing from this list please drop us a line at cyclebuddies@lcc.org.uk

• Build your cycle skills
• Top tips for cycling in London
• Planning safe cycle routes
• Is my bike roadworthy?
• How to cycle safely around lorries
• Tips on buying a second hand bike
• How to stop your bike getting stolen
• Taking your bike on public transport
• Tips on cycling in winter

The helper buddies are part of a network of LCC volunteers who are experienced cyclists. The volunteers in the network support each other with knowledge and information from their own experience and from delivering other community services. The network is supported by a volunteer borough admin for each borough we are live in and from the office with our dedicated Cycle Buddies Officer. As the Cycle Buddies project grows we are building on our induction materials and running helper buddy workshops.

The Cycle Buddies service is a matching service to help people build confidence in cycling and should be done in conjunction with cycle training to ensure everyone has the correct cycle skills to cycle on the road.

It is the responsibility of the people being matched to look after their own safety. This is why we recommend each pair has a good chat before any session to fully understand each other’s skills level and expectations for any sessions.

Yes. When you create your Cycle Buddies profile, make sure to select the route planning option and your search results will show you the Cycle Buddies who can help you with route planning.

Once you’ve connected with a buddy you can discuss your cycling experience and goals before meeting up. Let the buddy know about any specific routes you want help with.

You can also get started by reading our route planning guide.

If you can ride a bike and have ridden on the road before then Cycle Buddies could be the right choice for you.

If you’re not at all comfortable riding on quiet roads, then we suggest you go to your local council for free cycle training before you start with Cycle Buddies. Find out about free cycle training here.

You can also find and contact Cycling Instructors using the Cycle Buddies platform, but the actual booking will either be through your local council or by private arrangement between yourself and the instructor.

All London councils offer free cycle training to adults and any instructor on the platform will be able to help you book these for free.

We hope you keep on cycling! Plan more routes, explore London, and enjoy getting around by bike. Find friendly group rides and meet people across London through the London Cycling Campaign events calendar.

No. Along with other UK cycling organisations, we think the choice of wearing a cycle helmet is up to the individual or, in the case of children, their parents or carers. If you do choose to wear a helmet, make sure it’s fitted correctly. Find out more about LCC’s position on helmets here.

Once you connect with a Cycle Buddy on the platform, it is important to remember that you are dealing with a stranger – please follow our advice below:

• Do not reveal your home or work address.
• Arrange to meet in a busy public place that you are familiar with, in daylight, and at an agreed time.
• Don’t share phone numbers or email addresses
• If something doesn’t feel right, then make your excuses and leave. If you feel threatened or unsafe, call the police
• Report any concerns using the platform or email cyclebuddies@lcc.org.uk

Feel free to contact the Cycle Buddies team at any time, on this email address. Please contact us right away if you have any concerns about any aspect of the scheme or the arrangements with your Buddy.

Find out more about Cycle Buddies in the workplace here and find out more about NHS Cycle Buddies here.

Please see our Privacy Policy here.