The Royal Parks urges cyclists to slow down

25 Nisan 2025

86% of Londoners think there should be a 20mph speed limit for bicycles

The Royal Parks charity launched a campaign today encouraging cyclists to be more considerate and to adhere to the speed limit in the parks in order to enhance safety and improve the park experience for all visitors.

The ‘considerate cycling’ campaign has been launched following several incidents in the parks and in response to a recent survey *, which revealed that almost three-quarters of London pedestrians (72%) had witnessed or experienced a near miss or collision with a cyclist.

The same number of respondents (72%) also stated that people ‘cycling without due care and attention’ was their main concern as a pedestrian. 86% of people believe the 20-mph vehicle speed limit in central London should also apply to bicycles, which are currently exempt.

The campaign is backed by a new code of conduct that all cyclists entering the parks should adhere to, regardless of whether they are commuting, exercising or exploring the parks recreationally. It is also supported by new signage that can be seen across the Royal Parks in high-traffic areas, and there is a new online hub on The Royal Parks’ website for people who want to learn more about cycling in the parks.

The code of conduct provides best-practice guidance on safe cycling within the parks. It asks cyclists to:

Respect the park environment
Respect all park visitors
Control their speed
Know the rules – comply with the Highway Code and Park Regulations
Be seen and be heard

The campaign, which will run through the spring and summer months, highlights the importance of creating a harmonious environment for cyclists and pedestrians. With an increasing number of people riding bikes in parks, it is crucial that cyclists adhere to posted speed limits and exercise caution.

Darren Share, Director of Parks, The Royal Parks charity, said: “These wonderful urban green spaces are incredibly important to so many people, but we all need to remember that they are shared spaces meant for everyone, and we must all play our part. Cyclists must understand the impact their speed can have on others, which is why it is crucial that they comply with the Park Regulations, and we are asking people to stay within the vehicle speed limits in the parks.

“The safety of all visitors is our top priority. By encouraging cyclists to slow down, respect the park environment and be considerate of others, we hope to foster a culture of respect and a safer, more enjoyable experience for all park visitors whether on two feet or two wheels.”

Notes

Find out more about cycling in the Royal Parks here: Cycling in The Royal Parks | The Royal Parks

Mustard Research conducted a two-wave omnibus survey in February 2025, speaking to 2,005 unique participants. The survey was anonymous, so respondents were not made aware that the questions were from The Royal Parks. The data was weighted to be representative of Greater London.