London Cycle

The importance of Cycle Routes to buyers is on the rise, especially for London househunters.

London is becoming increasingly cycle friendly. Initiatives introduced by Boris Johnson when he was Mayor of London are encouraging commuters off public transport and onto two wheels.

TfL estimate a 5% year on year increase in cycling journeys within central London’s congestion charge zone.

Emma Hanks of Stacks Property Search London says, “Unlike leisure cyclists who are taking over the country lanes, cyclists in London tend to be all about utility – saving time, saving money, saving the stress of being crammed into buses and tubes like sardines. Health may be a bi-product, but generally not the main objective.

Consequently, property buyers are as likely to be studying cycling routes as they are tube and bus maps when deciding where to buy. The cycling map is changing all the time – and generally for the better. A network of Cycle Superhighways is growing and improving all the time, offering cyclists safer, faster routes from A to B.

And while we’re inclined to compare cycling journey times to tube or bus journey times, the upsides to taking the bike are numerous – no walking to the tube, no waiting for the bus, no walking at the other end, no worrying about strikes! With a bike, you’re in control of your own destiny.

We are increasingly hearing from buyers that they want a good cycle route to the City, or to other places of work. Some want speed, others want quiet routes that allow them to arrive at the office stress-free. Along with a good cycle route, they want (crucially) space in the property to store a bike. Some new build properties are factoring bike storage into their spec, but period properties often have a suitable spot for safe storage – it’s just another item on the must-have list.

Ground floor properties are obviously the most sensible choice, and an exclusive entrance is helpful. Wall-mountings allow you to keep a bike in a relatively minimally sized hallway without obstructing access. Bikes in communal parts don’t go down well with freeholders or other leaseholders. Other options include a shed in the garden, or a vault space under the front area.

It makes sense to identify your nearest cycle workshop, but these are springing up all over London in response to a growing demand, so there’s generally one to be found within pushing distance!”

First featured on Property Reporter, By Warren Lewis 8th March 2017

Stacks Property Search helps clients analyse every aspect of a house purchase, including cycle routes (we even ride them to check!!). For more on how Stacks can help, contact us.