Getting pedalling couldn't be easier. All you need is a bike - there's no need for special clothes or expensive equipment.

Read our tips below for buying a bike, or maybe dust off your old one. Get some handy hints too on comfortable clothes.

Buying a bike

It doesn't need to be expensive, fancy, or even fast. It just needs to be the best bike for you.

Types of bike

• Folding bike - great for taking on public transport and if you don't have parking at home or work
• Hybrid bike - more practical than a racing bike but lighter than a mountain bike
• Racing bike - these are light and fast but thin tyres means more punctures
• Mountain bike - robust but a full suspension bike may be too heavy and slow for the road
• Retro bikes - a fashionable way to get around London

Cost

How much you spend is up to you. You don't need to buy an expensive bike to cycle around London.

Buying secondhand - this is the cheaper option, but be careful not to buy a stolen bike.

Further advice

Specialist bike shops are your best bet in your search for your perfect bike. Find a list of bike shops and places to buy second hand bikes from the London Cycling Campaign website.

Children's bikes

A child's bike is more than a toy. It must be easy - and fun - to ride. Look for a good quality, durable frame that fits your child. Your local bike shop can help you chose the right bike for your child or, you could look for a good second hand bike.

Options for younger children include front or rear mounted bike seats, trailers, Dutch-style cargo bikes, Tag-A-Long bikes or tow bar to convert a child's bike into a trailer bike which can then be detached at the park.

Dusting off your old bike

If you have an old bike, it may just need some TLC and a bit of an MOT - why not read our bicycle tune-up tips?

Avoiding theft

Once you're kitted up, you'll want to keep your bike safe. Read our tips on avoiding theft.

Get comfortable on your bike

Make sure your bike is the right size and that the seat is not too low or it will slow you down. Riding the wrong size bike is often uncomfortable and may be unsafe. Ask a specialist bike shop for advice.

Clothes

Normal clothes are fine for cycling. You won't get hot and sweaty if you don't ride like a demon, so you can even ride to work in a suit.

You don't need to wear lycra from head to toe, but lightly padded bike shorts can keep you comfortable. You can wear other clothes - even a skirt - over the top.

Bright, reflective clothing or strips will make you easier to see, especially at night.

Gloves

Wearing gloves is an easy way to keep cycling comfy. We recommend fingerless gloves for summer and wind-resistant for winter.

Helmet

It's not the law to wear a helmet but many Londoners choose to do so. If you wear a helmet, make sure it fits properly - tighten the straps so you can't push the helmet up your forehead, side to side, or up at the back.

Bell

A bell is a great way of letting people know you're there, especially when you're in a park or around people who are walking.

Want your bike to go faster? Ride easier? Shift smoother? Improvements in these areas are often relatively easy to accomplish with just a few simple steps. Try out these simple tune-up tasks below, which don't require any special knowledge or tools, and see immediate improvements in your riding.

1. Clean and lubricate your chain

The chain and sprockets on your bike play a key part in the transfer of power in your legs to your wheels, making them go round and round. When they collect dirt and grit and get gummy, not only does it slow you down, but they also wear out faster. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated is one of the best ways to keep your bike working well. This is not a daily or weekly task by any means. Plan on doing this every thousand miles or so; more often if you ride in dusty or dirty conditions.

Tip: Use a lightweight oil specially designed for bikes. Stay away from motor oil as it is too heavy and will quickly attract dirt and crud. Want a big greasy chain ring mark on your leg? Using too much oil or the wrong kind is a guaranteed way to get one. Light lubrication is the key, and wipe off excess at the end.

2. Lubricate the moving parts of your brakes and derailleurs.

Your bike has quite a few moving metal parts that are vulnerable to dirt and moisture. To keep your bike happy and functioning well, these parts should be lubricated regularly.

Pivot points on the brakes and derailleurs are good examples of the types of places you should target because they are vulnerable to attracting dirt and grit due to their placement on your bike. You can spot many of these places just by watching your bike in action and seeing where metal parts move against and around each other.

For instance, think about your brakes. On most road bikes, they are mounted on a bolt on the frame above your wheel. When you squeeze the lever, the brake pivots around this bolt as it contracts. It's these places where you want to apply a couple drops of oil.

3. Inspect your brake pads.

A quick check of your brake pads will often reveal potential problems that are easy to fix. You want to check:

• Are your brake pads properly aligned?Brake pads are the little rubber things that clamp down on your rims to slow you when you squeeze the brake levers. Make sure they are hitting the rims evenly, and aren't either rubbing the tire or missing your rim partially or completely.
• Are the brake pads toed-in?The bike brake pads should also be "toed-in," which means the leading edge of the pads should touch the bike rim first when you lightly apply the brakes. The pads squish a little, and when you squeeze down hard, you should get full contact to the rim. This helps prevent squeaking
• Check for junk embedded in the brake padsInspect the surface of the brake pads where they meet the rims, and using a pointy sharp instrument like a knife, pick out any bits of sand or metal that may have become embedded in the pad. Removing this grit prevents the pads from wearing and scratching your rims and helps them provide more even and consistent stopping power.

4. Check the pressure on your tires.

One of the simplest things you can do is the one that can have the greatest effect, and that surprisingly, people most often overlook.

Paying attention to keeping the proper level of air pressure in your tires accomplishes many things:

• Makes pedaling easier
• Protects your rims from damage
• Prolongs the life of your tires
• Makes it much less likely that you'll get flats.

Checking for proper air pressue in your tires before every ride is quick and easy to do.

Cycling gets a lot less money from central Government than it would like, but a lot more than it used to get. In January 2008, the Department for Transport pumped in a record GBP 140 million (€ 156.5mn) investment.
Cycling England had asked for GBP 250 million (€ 279.4mn). Cycling England’s previous budget was GBP 10 million (€ 11.2mn) per annum. The GBP 140 million (€ 156.5mn) is split over three years.

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, said:

“Cycling England produced compelling evidence to show that increased and sustained levels of investment in cycling can make a substantial impact. The bicycle really does have a role in helping meet England’s transport challenges. It is now taking its place as a proper mode of transport.”

Bristol may be Cycling England’s official Cycling Demonstration City but it’s London that is doing most to promote the use of bikes. At a cycling conference in October, speaker Peter Lensink of Ned Railways said cycling in London was at a tipping point.

“There’s been a change in perception, not just people in Lycra. Biking is becoming part of mobility. I pedal on a Dutch roadster and cycle everywhere in my suit. There are now lots like me. Who would ever have imagined the junction between Tavistock Square and Tavistock Place would have cycle congestion in the mornings?”

Before he was ousted by cyclist Boris Johnson, the then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone announced a GBP 500 million (€ 559.2mn) 10-year plan to transform cycling in London. There’s to be a Vélib-style bike hire scheme with 6,000 bikes available every 300 metres. There will also be radial ‘Cycling Corridors’ - bicycle superhighways - for commuters to provide high-profile, easy to follow cycling streams into central London.

Jenny Jones, Green Party member of the London Assembly, said:

“These plans for promoting cycling and walking are more ambitious than anything which has been tried before in this country, but they are exactly what we need to persuade large numbers of Londoners out of their cars.”

Approximately 252 working days a year (minus holidays), multiplied by 14 miles each day, equals ... 3,128 miles. This is the distance I commute, per year, from my house to work.

I wouldn't trade my bike commute for the world – and especially not for the London underground. But the number does seem high, especially considering that I am a relatively slow cyclist (it usually takes me around 40-45 minutes to get to work).

That's a lot of time to spend pushing pedals along the same route, day in, day out. And while I take pride in my carefully crafted journey, which took weeks to perfect (a shortcut here, a nicer street there), I can't deny it any longer: I am experiencing commute fatigue and I need a change in my routine. Here are a few things I have tried or am thinking about trying in order to fight my growing boredom on the road:

1. Change your route. This seems simple enough, and has a few definite perks in my eyes. I fear that overfamiliarity with a route may lead me to become less careful over time, as I presume to know every light, every turn and every roundabout by heart. Tinkering with my circuit might help to keep me alert – and, let's face it, it's always fun getting lost in London's backstreets. The downside is that the new journey is likely to waste precious minutes, which could have been spent in bed.

2. Listen to your MP3 player. I'd hesitate to blast Rage Against the Machine at full volume through my earphones, as I'd like to hear cars coming, but I won't settle for music on low volume that I can't hear. I have therefore plumped for podcasts – talk shows, ebooks and stories are good enough to entertain me, played with some volume but not so loud as to put my life at risk. Most podcasts are also the perfect commuting length, lasting just under an hour. I would personally recommend Good Food, This American Life, Radio Lab.

3. Become a bike-geek. Invest in a bike computer, and track your progress or set yourself goals. The cheapest ones on the market should still be able to crunch numbers and tell you your average, current and maximum speeds, and will also sport an odometer and a timer. I really enjoyed using mine – until it was stolen, along with my previous bike. In the same vein, you can download many iPhone applications, such as MapMyRide, which let you calculate elevation and show you street level views.

4. Contemplate. With such an emphasis placed on having to ride as fast as possible – while avoiding dangerous drivers and discourteous pedestrians – perhaps a deliberate attempt to slow down and enjoy the act of cycling could be in order, if only once or twice a week. Setting aside a few more minutes to arrive at work on time leaves you free to ride around town and contemplate the seasonal changes. Alternatively, count how many cats you can spot in one go, or take mental notes on new autumn fashion trends by people-watching. You'll be surprised at how many faces will quickly become familiar.

Article taken from the guardian.co.uk bike blog

Selecting the Bicycle
If you're buying a bicycle for a child, choose one to fit the child's size today, not one he or she will "grow into" later.
A bicycle should suit the rider's ability and kind of riding.
Check hand and foot brakes for fast, easy stops without instability or jamming.
If not using the clipless pedals, avoid slippery plastic pedals. Look instead for rubber-treated pedals, or metal pedals with serrated rattrap edges or with firmly attached toeclips.

Using the Bicycle
Always wear a helmet to help prevent head injuries.
Observe all traffic laws and signals, just as automobiles must do.
Avoid riding double, ride near the curb in the same direction as traffic.
Find alternate routes, rather than ride through busy intersections and heavy or high-speed traffic.
If riding in wet weather, remember that wet handbrakes may require a long distance to stop.
If you ride in the dark, be sure the bike is equipped with a headlight, a taillight and reflectors. Apply retro-reflective trim to clothing, or wear reflective vests and jackets. Wear the Safe Turn indicator on hour hand.
Avoid loose clothing or long coats that can catch in pedals or wheels. Leg clips or bands keep pants legs from tangling in the chain.
Avoid crossing raised sewer grates.

Maintaining the Bicycle
Regular maintenance is essential for safe riding. Refer to the owner's manual for the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations. An experienced repair technician should do complicated work.
Spokes also may need adjustment. Align (or "true") wobbly wheels for better control.
Replace all missing, damaged, or worn parts; for example, brake pads, chain links, spokes, screws and bolts.
Tighten and/or adjust loose parts.
Periodically inspect frame, fork, spindles and other components for cracking.
Parts should be adjusted to manufacturer's torque specifications.
Inflate tires to recommended pressure, and replace worn tires.
Lightly oil and clean moving parts. Keep oil off rubber.
Try to keep bicycle indoors when not in use -- moisture may cause rust and weaken metal parts.