Boris Bike Noob

[LizardEye]

I'm in London for the day on Saturday and am intending to use the Boris bikes to get around for a bit of sightseeing.

Far too nice to be underground.

Having never driven in London let alone cycled, any tips.

 

[suecsi]

I'm in London for the day on Saturday and am intending to use the Boris bikes to get around for a bit of sightseeing.

Far too nice to be underground.

Having never driven in London let alone cycled, any tips.

Just a few quick pointers:-

1. Watch out for the one way streets!
2. Practice in Hyde Park first if you're not sure - and if the weather is nice, it will be glorious in there and full of bikes, Boris and otherwise.
3. Don't undertake anything on the left - particularly buses and HGVS (though in the tourist areas HGVs are less of an issue, but plenty of buses).
4. Near Oxford Street, use the back roads that run parallel (but watch out for point 1 above). Avoid Oxford Street at all costs - it is bad enough during the week, but apart from the vehicles, pedestrians tend to be a bit lemming like and just step out in front of you.
5. If you cut through Soho, there will probably be lots of people walking in the road, as the pavements are full of people standing outside the pubs and restaurants in the nice weather.

Enjoy!

 

[thelawnet]

tbh I'd probably walk.


It's very easy to get lost in central London due to all the one-way roads, and you can end up in Elephant & Castle or somewhere before you know it.


If you know your Bloomsbury from your Fitzrovia you might be ok, but otherwise, hmmmm....


You're liable on a first outing to spend longer looking for a docking station and then finding one empty/full (when hiring/returning) than just walking.


If you do go, there is an Iphone app that shows docking station status/location.

 

[LizardEye]

Thanks for that. I have the app and the docking stations seem to be everywhere. Though I guess getting the bike is the easy bit.

Still think I'll give it a go. I only have a few hours and don't
want to spend them underground

 

[funnymummy]

Good luck & Have a great day x

 

[Beebo]

At the weekend the west end will be busy but the City will be quiet. So the back roads around St Pauls, Tower Bridge, Tower London and Monument should be nice and empty.

 

[mr_cellophane]

Find an Evans and pickup a TFL cycle map for central London.
You can send off for them, but you probably won't get it back for Saturday.

 

[Becs]

Just a few quick pointers:-

1. Watch out for the one way streets!
2. Practice in Hyde Park first if you're not sure - and if the weather is nice, it will be glorious in there and full of bikes, Boris and otherwise.
3. Don't undertake anything on the left - particularly buses and HGVS (though in the tourist areas HGVs are less of an issue, but plenty of buses).
4. Near Oxford Street, use the back roads that run parallel (but watch out for point 1 above). Avoid Oxford Street at all costs - it is bad enough during the week, but apart from the vehicles, pedestrians tend to be a bit lemming like and just step out in front of you.
5. If you cut through Soho, there will probably be lots of people walking in the road, as the pavements are full of people standing outside the pubs and restaurants in the nice weather.

Enjoy!

6. Don't undertake other cyclists and watch out for cyclists trying to undertake you - especially in the parks.
7. Assume Addison Lee (and other) taxis/chelsea tractors/white van men/cars with personalised plates are going to behave like d*cks and be ready for it.
8. Watch out for pedestrians if you find yourself on Camden High Street
9. Enjoy!

 

[LizardEye]

Phew , thanks guys. Still looking forward to it. I imagine they get quite a bit of use at weekends.

 

[ianrauk]

Phew , thanks guys. Still looking forward to it. I imagine they get quite a bit of use at weekends.

There are a lot of empty racks at weekends, especially if the weather is nice.
But you should be able to find one.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Still think I'll give it a go. I only have a few hours and don't
want to spend them underground

Yes I have spent countless hours on the underground and I'd like to actually see where I've been going all these years!

Incidentally, when I was down several years ago, I had practically no money (don't ask) so I simply walked everywhere. That was an education, but I have probably forgot half of it all now. Needless to say I'd at least know roughly where I was going, but an A - Z still wouldn't go amiss.

 

[markharry66]

I cycle in London nearly every weekend, as everyone has stated do not over take on the left, watch out for the Bastard bendy buses and buses in general if you end up near big ben and decide you want a drink do not get one from the vans on the bridge as you will end up in sea of tourists.
If its sunny make sure you go to hyde park or one of the royal parks above all else have fun

 

[dellzeqq]

I'd second Beebo's advice. Head for the City of London. Take in St. Paul's, the Gherkin, Christ Church Spitalfields and go over Tower Bridge to Shad Thames and City Hall.

I personally think that the walk along the south bank from the Globe to the London Eye has even more to offer the tourist than a cycle ride.....

 

[Goto10]

+1 regarding Addison Lee cars, from my own experience they are consistently the WORST drivers. I can only assume the drivers go through a rigorous selection procedure in order to find the most ignorant pig headed cretins available.

 

[trsleigh]

+1 regarding Addison Lee cars, from my own experience they are consistently the WORST drivers. I can only assume the drivers go through a rigorous selection procedure in order to find the most ignorant pig headed cretins available.

Wait until you come across an Addison Lee coach.