Cycling is a quick, cheap, low-carbon, calorie-busting way of getting around. If you bike to work it'll beat car traffic on the morning commute hands down, and if you bike for pleasure, it's a lovely way of discovering the local area and the scenic routes away from all the fume-filled main roads.
Whether you're new to cycling, or just want to brush up, Transport for London has an amazingly useful cycling section with all sorts of handy info, including safe cycling, bike maintenance, cycling maps and guides, as well as ways to avoid no-good tea-leafs from making off with your trusty pedals.
And according to the site, there are plans to develop several Cycle Superhighways across London by 2012 to make it faster and safer to get from the outer boroughs to central London. Two routes are planned from Barnet so definitely something to watch out for.
Bikeforall.net is another great resource for all things bike-related, and if you're looking to buy one the London Cycling Campaign, who are working hard to turn the capital into a world-class cycling city, also has loads of advice as well as details of bike shops. And for all your portable needs, there's a great little intro to folding bikes here.
Cycling is also a brilliant way of meeting new people and making new friends - join the Barnet Cycling Group which gathers regularly for rides and meetings. If you're a bit of a cycling newbie, or just like to chat, you could even get yourself a cycling partner.
Been on yer bike? Tell us how, why and where, here.
Pic Credit: Chris Bernard
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