Cycling in London

[manic111]

Does anyone commute by bike in London? I'm thinking of starting over the summer (Stratford to Holborn) but am mildly concerned about getting squashed.

Has anyone got much experience of cycling in London, and how is it at rush hour? I can get to Aldgate pretty easily along a cycle superhighway, but how is getting across the City?

 

[Kol]

The cycle super highway extends all the way out to Stratford. They've just completed the Bow>City route too which decent, safe etc.

 

[explicit4u]

Used to do Camden > Mile End 4 days a week for uni.

Depending on your exact locations you could make use of Regents Canal, Victoria Park, and the Olympic Park. It'll take a little longer than the Superhighway but it's a lot more safe and scenic, and you avoid a lot of nasty pollution.

Cycling in London is okay, it's improving rapidly and becoming safer the more popular it gets. You've just gotta stay sharp and assume everyone around you is gonna do the stupid thing, the only accidents I've had are when i give people (pedestrians, cyclists, drivers) the benefit of the doubt.

Stay visible and don't be a **** pretty much.

 

[grudas]

Does anyone commute by bike in London? I'm thinking of starting over the summer (Stratford to Holborn) but am mildly concerned about getting squashed.

Has anyone got much experience of cycling in London, and how is it at rush hour? I can get to Aldgate pretty easily along a cycle superhighway, but how is getting across the City?

I cycled for 5 years. Originally from Tottenham to Paddington and then from Croydon to Paddington. Did over 20k miles in that time.

It's totally doable but here are the main things to keep yourself safe.

• Get decent lights, leave them on day and night - when filtering during the day they help drivers see you.
  
• Get decent tyres, do not go for gatorskins etc. You want to have decent grip all year round. Puncture protection is important too.
• Road bike or a adventure bike with disc brakes is what you want.
  
• When riding in any road, do not ride in the ditch. All newbies try to sit as close to the kerb as they can, do not do that. Sit 0.5m away from it at least, if the road is narrow take primary position and do not let drivers through, if you give them a chance, some will try and squeeze past.
  Avoid metal manhole covers at all times, especially when wet. They can be lethal.
• Roundabouts, turns etc take primary position and sit in the middle of the lane. Watch out for diesel spills as you'll be on your arse in seconds.

I've recorded some of my full commutes on my gopro... You can have a look if it helps.

These should give you a decent idea.. do not look through the channel as some videos might put you off.

 

[manic111]

That's awesome advice, thanks a lot! Think I'm going to do a test run this afternoon when it's a little quieter, then buy a bike next weekend. Only issue is I've not got storage at home for a full size bike - I'm probably going to get a folding bike but with full size wheels. Not ideal, but it's a start!