urbanspec design for cycling city: meeting the London Cycling Design Standards

What are the London Cycling Design Standards?

As cities look to cycling as a key part of sustainable transport strategy, the London Cycling Design Standards (LCDS) set the benchmark for designing cycle-friendly infrastructure. Developed by Transport for London (TfL), the LCDS provide comprehensive guidance on how to deliver high-quality, inclusive cycle routes, junctions and facilities that encourage more people to travel by bike.

The standards outline six core outcomes for cycling infrastructure which should be:

• Safe
• Direct
• Comfortable
• Coherent
• Attractive
• Adaptable

Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, the LCDS take a contextual approach, adapting provision to suit different street types, movement patterns and place-based needs. The goal is to build a network that’s not just technically functional but welcoming and easy to use.

Cycle parking

Cycle parking is a crucial part of this network. According to the LCDS, all bike storage provision should:

• Use Sheffield stands or two-tier racks, ensuring usability and space efficiency
• Allocate 5% of the total capacity for larger or non-standard cycles, using Sheffield stands to provide suitable access
• Maintain minimum clearances for access aisles and spacing between racks to ensure ease of use

urbanspec and the LCDS

urbanspec cycle storage and parking systems are designed with these standards in mind. Our H-Series Bike Hubs can be configured to meet LCDS dimensional requirements, with options for Sheffield hoop and two-tier rack formats.

Modular layouts and a wide range of access control options support both planning compliance and user convenience. All models can be specified with Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation and green roof systems for Biodiversity Net Gain targets.

By aligning to LCDS best practice, urbanspec helps developers and designers create cycling infrastructure that is compliant and genuinely encourages and enables active travel; supporting healthier communities and a more sustainable future.