It connects London’s Nationwide Cycle Community, Cycleways and the prolonged cycle community to inexperienced areas and waterways
Again in 2021, graphic designer Helen Ilus launched the Greenground Map. Impressed by Harry Beck’s iconic tube map, it joined the dots between London’s parks and nature spots, serving to individuals to journey throughout London amid greenery.
As an alternative of tube stations, it linked town’s city oases: from forests and cemeteries to parks and waterways. And now, Ilus has launched a brand new model – designed particularly for cyclists.
The London Greenground Map – biking version is the primary schematic city-wide map connecting the Nationwide Cycle Community, Cycleways and the prolonged cycle community to inexperienced areas and waterways. “Since I launched the unique map 5 years in the past, it has grown considerably, now that includes over a thousand inexperienced areas,” Ilus informed Optimistic Information.
“The thought to make a biking version got here from the individuals, who reached out and requested if I might embody the cycle routes. For the reason that unique strolling map was already fairly busy, I assumed it might simply be too cluttered. Then I realised: ‘Why not? I’ll simply create a separate map!’
“I hope this map encourages cyclists to inexperienced their commutes or discover new routes for leisure biking. Biking is rising more and more widespread in every single place, however I feel lots of the cycle paths will not be significantly inexperienced or fulfilling to cycle. Fortuitously, London does have a community of routes that observe waterways, designated greenways or cross quite a lot of parks. Lea Valley, River Ravensbourne and the Grand Union Canal are all examples of the ‘strains’ featured on this map.”
The map is free to obtain and, at present, the mission is supported by voluntary donations. Ilus can be promoting posters to assist fund it.
She defined the intention is to make each commuting and leisure biking greener and extra fulfilling, whereas encouraging exploration on two wheels for cyclists of all skills. “Whether or not you like a largely traffic-free river path, a well-marked cycleway or a more difficult route, this map will aid you uncover over a thousand inexperienced areas throughout town,” she stated.
Ilus is at present based mostly in Tallinn, the Estonian capital, so most of her maps – together with this newest one – are based mostly on on-line analysis. However she’s no stranger to the enjoyment of life on two wheels.
“I cycle recurrently right here within the hotter months and final 12 months I took a 300km solo bike tour round a neighborhood island. It was incredible! I normally favor biking alongside inexperienced routes, by way of the parks and alongside rivers. So, once I subsequent go to London, I’ll undoubtedly be pedalling alongside one of many waterways!”
Photos: Helen Ilus 2025
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