The London Bicycle Tour Company

The London Bicycle Tour Company runs guided cycle and e-bike tours of the capital's sights from its Tour and Hire Centre on Kennington Road, south of the river. As well as tours, it hires out bikes of many kinds, describing its fleet as the largest privately owned fleet in London. Tours are a relaxed and efficient way to see a lot of the city in a few hours, using quieter streets, parks and riverside routes where possible.

Open tours include the Gold Classic Tour, which covers many of the major landmarks, the Love London Tour, the Original Tour, a Sunset Tour and, in season, a Christmas Lights Tour. The Total e-London tour uses electric bikes to cover a wider area with less effort, which makes it a good choice for less confident cyclists or anyone who wants to see more ground. Typical sights along the routes include Westminster, Buckingham Palace, the royal parks, the South Bank and the City, though each tour has its own itinerary. Private tours are also available, including family tours, e-bike tours and walking tours of the West End and the City, as well as packages for school and adult groups.

The tours suit couples, families, groups of friends and visitors who enjoy being active. Guides stop regularly to explain the history and stories behind the sights, so the pace is gentle rather than sporty. Tours are offered in several languages, including Dutch, German, French, Spanish and Italian. Riders should be comfortable on a bike in an urban environment, and children can join family-friendly tours or ride on child seats.

Bikes for hire range from traditional and hybrid bikes to e-bikes, tandems, carbon road bikes, mountain bikes and bikes with child seats, and accessories such as helmets, lights, locks, panniers and repair kits are available. The centre is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00 from April to October and from 09:00 to 16:00 from November to March, including weekends and public holidays, and closed on Christmas Day. Book tours online in advance, especially in summer.

The Tour and Hire Centre is at 74 Kennington Road, a short walk from Lambeth North Underground station and around ten minutes from Waterloo. The company also runs a repair shop near Southwark. The Imperial War Museum is close by, and the South Bank and Westminster Bridge are just a few minutes' ride away.