Canal towpaths at night

[skrx]

I've recently moved house, to five minutes from the Regent's Canal somewhere in West London.  Last night I cycled home along the canal, westwards from roughly Paddington. I saw two people -- a homeless man sleeping under a bridge, and a man who appeared to be either drinking from or being sick in the canal.

I wouldn't normally worry about personal safety on my way home, but a canal has less escape routes than a road or path -- especially one with railways alongside it for much of the way. Does anyone on here use canal towpaths in London at night, and has anyone had any trouble on them? I'll only be going this way once a week or so, probably around 23-23:30.

(The more obvious danger is falling in the canal while being dazzled by lights from industrial estates, I'm going to buy a bigger front light.)

 

[Origamist]

I've recently moved house, to five minutes from the Regent's Canal somewhere in West London. Last night I cycled home along the canal, westwards from roughly Paddington. I saw two people -- a homeless man sleeping under a bridge, and a man who appeared to be either drinking from or being sick in the canal.

I wouldn't normally worry about personal safety on my way home, but a canal has less escape routes than a road or path -- especially one with railways alongside it for much of the way. Does anyone on here use canal towpaths in London at night, and has anyone had any trouble on them? I'll only be going this way once a week or so, probably around 23-23:30.

(The more obvious danger is falling in the canal while being dazzled by lights from industrial estates, I'm going to buy a bigger front light.)

At that time of night - it's not for me. You may not have a problem 95% of the time, but subjectively speaking, I'd feel unsafe and would avoid the canal path if I was on my own.

 

[hackbike 666]

I used to use the canal towpaths in East London in the 1990's but rarely use them as I think they can be dodgy at times.

 

[Davidc]

I don't use the paths alongside river or canal here after dark or about 17:30 in winter, and definitely wouldn't in London (or Birmingham) either.

 

[Howard]

I wouldn't normally worry about personal safety on my way home, but a canal has less escape routes than a road or path -- especially one with railways alongside it for much of the way. Does anyone on here use canal towpaths in London at night, and has anyone had any trouble on them? I'll only be going this way once a week or so, probably around 23-23:30.

I live on the east side of the Regents Canal, near Mile End. I know a lot of cyclists, mostly east enders mind, and none of them recommend cycling on the canal path at night, in the dark.

Although I do wonder what that recommendation means for the people who live on the canal - if it's not safe to cycle, how can it be safe to live there?

 

[hackbike 666]

I live on the east side of the Regents Canal, near Mile End. I know a lot of cyclists, mostly east enders mind, and none of them recommend cycling on the canal path at night, in the dark.

Although I do wonder what that recommendation means for the people who live on the canal - if it's not safe to cycle, how can it be safe to live there?

The bit I cycle along or used to cycle along is more remote.

 

[slowmotion]

I'm not particularly nervous, but canal tow-paths at night are not "quite my cup of tea".

Avoid them is my humble suggestion.

 

[Ste T.]

I often use long rural stretches of the Leeds and Liverpool when out during my jaunts, but even in the day I am always wary of going past people, especially young lads as most often they stand back for you to pass nearest to the canal bank. A good while back I read about some old chap who was passing a couple of blokes when one gave him a shove, and in he went. If I remember rightly it was winter and the were lucky they didn't kill him. He managed to get himself out, but could easily have drowned. He could have had heart disease and been a non swimmer. Needless to say they were never caught.
I don't let it stop me enjoying the canals as they are some of the most wonderful nature parks we have, but personally I wouldn't do it of a night.
Can you swim? How good is your heart? Picture yourself in that freezing inky blackness, holdin your breath while trying to get out of you clipless shoes...eek! It's being so happy as keeps me going

 

[jimboalee]

Canal towpaths at night = Canal towrags at night.

 

[Moodyman]

Avoid after dark.

 

[hackbike 666]

Avoid during dark.

 

[fossyant]

This is the reason I don't go down the Trans Pennine after dark on the MTB for a quick 10 miler - too many toe rags loitering.......... just not worth the trouble.

 

[hackbike 666]

Too many drugged up drunk toerags loitering.

 

[400bhp]

This is the reason I don't go down the Trans Pennine after dark on the MTB for a quick 10 miler - too many toe rags loitering.......... just not worth the trouble.

It's bad enough in the day

Steer well clear.

 

[139NI]

too much too lose if you encounter the local young offenders..You get trapped and beaten up have your bike stolen and get thrown into canal for no reason at worst. At best, you get home only to run the risk the next time.

i wouldnt feel safe on my own. no one will hear you scream...