Everyone has their favourite Route Planning App and new ones are constantly being developed. Here is a list of the commonly used ones available via a web browser (WWW), Apple device (iOS) or Android device (And). They are mainly free of charge to use.
Most people like auto-routing where the App calculates a route for you and then guides you along it, others like to plot their route manually making sure it uses all the quieter dedicated cycle routes. Some Apps are much better than others at finding the quiet and dedicated cycle routes – a good test is to get the App to map a route that you know well and see if it follows your optimal route.
Name | Website | Subjective rating for London cycle routing | Auto-routing | Availability | Comments |
Better By Bike | cycleplanner.betterbybike.info | *** | Yes | WWW | Currently Bristol orientated but routing does work for London |
CityMapper | citymapper.com/london | **** | Yes | WWW, And, iOS | Uses CycleStreets API |
CityCyclist | N/A | **** | Yes | iOS | Uses CycleStreets API |
CycleMaps | N/A | **** | Yes | iOS | Uses CycleStreets API |
CycleStreets | www.cyclestreets.net | ***** | Yes | WWW, And, iOS | Comprehensive routing giving quietest, balanced and fastest routes. Shows all dedicated London cycle routes |
CycleTravel | cycle.travel | **** | Yes | WWW | Reliably finds quiet routes |
GoogleMaps | maps.google.com | ** | Yes | WWW, And, iOS | Cycling option, but often not great at finding dedicated cycle routes |
Komoot | www.komoot.com | *** | Yes | WWW, And, iOS | |
OpenStreetMap | Openstreetmap.org | *** | Yes | WWW, And, iOS (OsmAnd) | Shows all dedicated London cycle routes. On website turn on Cycle Maps ‘layer’. |
OS Maps | osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk | ** | No | WWW, And, iOS | Plot your routes and view other peoples’ routes |
Ride with GPS | ridewithgps.com | ** | No | WWW, And, iOS | Plot your routes and view other peoples’ routes |
Strava | www.strava.com | ** | No | WWW, And, iOS | Track your rides and view other peoples’ routes |