The fastest route by car is rarely the best route by bike. A 15-minute car journey might have a better cycling equivalent via quieter roads that takes only 5 minutes longer. Finding that route is worth the initial effort.
Start With a Map, Not a Test Ride
Before riding anything, look at the area in map view and satellite view. Satellite view shows features that don’t appear on maps: shared-use paths, shortcuts through parks, routes that cut behind industrial estates, and cycle-specific infrastructure that isn’t labeled on standard maps.
Google Maps and Apple Maps both have cycling-specific routing, but neither is perfect. They sometimes route you onto busy A-roads when quieter alternatives exist. Use them as a starting point, not a definitive answer.
Use Cycling-Specific Tools
Komoot and Strava both have routing algorithms that favour cycling infrastructure and quieter roads. Strava’s heatmap shows where other cyclists ride — a corridor with high cycling traffic often indicates a safe, well-known route. This is especially useful in unfamiliar areas.
In the UK, Sustrans maintains the National Cycle Network, with many routes mapped. CycleStreets offers turn-by-turn routing optimized for cyclists across the UK. Equivalent tools exist in most countries.
Identify the Problem Points
When looking at a route, note the following: major A-roads or motorways to avoid, junctions known to be difficult (right turns across fast traffic, multi-lane roundabouts), and gaps in the cycling network where you must mix with fast traffic.
Often the best commute route involves a slightly longer distance to avoid one dangerous junction or road section. A route that’s 2 miles longer but entirely on quiet roads or cycle paths is usually better than the direct route via a fast dual carriageway.
Ride It First on a Weekend
Before committing to a route for weekday commuting, ride it on a weekend when traffic is lighter and you’re not under time pressure. This lets you assess: road surfaces (potholes, loose surfaces), pinch points, signage, and where you’d need lights or high-visibility gear.
Traffic conditions are substantially different on weekdays. Once you’re happy with the route, ride it during a weekday if possible before relying on it for a real commute.
Consider Multiple Route Options
Having two routes — a direct but busier one and a quieter longer alternative — gives flexibility. When you’re in a hurry and traffic is light, the direct route. When you want a more relaxed ride or it’s rush hour, the quiet alternative. Knowing both in advance prevents decision paralysis at junctions.
Ask Other Cyclists
Local cycling groups and forums (including Strava segments and local Facebook groups) often have route knowledge that no map can provide. A commuter who’s ridden the same corridor for three years knows which pavement section has the dangerous crack, which traffic lights have a cyclist-specific phase, and which junction should always be avoided at 8am.
Account for End-of-Route Logistics
The route isn’t just about getting to work — it’s also about what you do when you arrive. Where will you lock your bike? Does the office have showers? Where will you store your helmet and bag? Solving these problems in advance prevents them from becoming reasons not to cycle.
Secure bike parking matters. A bike locked to a lamppost outside is not secure. If your workplace doesn’t have secure parking, ask — many employers will install it if asked, and in many countries, employers are legally required to provide reasonable cycling facilities.