commuting from Hackney to Barking - advice

[rutie]

I've just started a new job in Barking and would like to commute from Victoria Park. I've done it this week on the Greenways cycle path from Bow to Barking Rd, but as a young woman feel very slightly uneasy re safety here.
Just wondered if anyone had experience of this route and also if you had advice of an alternative road route for when it is dark in the mornings…
Thankyou!

 

[mickle]

bump

 

[Perry]

I live a mile away from Barking - I avoid it if I can.

Don't know much about an alternative route, I will have a think about that and re-post.

 

[rutie]

Thanks, any advice would be most welcome...

 

[jely]

hey Rutie, i don't know that area at all but if you feel unsafe on the cycle path, then stay on the main road... sure there might be more cars, buses etc, but i'd prefer to be seen on a main road, than be alone on a cycle path. just look up googlemaps... or the tfl map. good luck!!

 

[domtyler]

Not sure about that particular route but I know a lot of the roads in that area can be pretty scary in a car, let alone on bike. I would do some experimenting on Google maps and try some different routes.

 

[pinkkaz]

Hi Rutie, I live in the area (Clapton) and I know what you mean about not feeling safe on the cycle paths (perfectly fine in the summer but I'm not sure I'd fancy it on a winter morning/evening).

I think just try a few different routes on the roads until you find one that you like. Another top tip is to follow other cyclists as they have probably done their experiments already - as long as you keep going in vaguely the right direction!

Your commute looks good though - pretty short which is nice.

 

[domtyler]

Just to clarify my point above, I was referring to the roads further out near Barking that can be very hairy, around the A13, A406, there are a lot of major, multi lane, fast roads and big RABs and giratories that have to be navigated.

 

[rutie]

Hi - thanks for various bits of advice.... I would probably prefer to go on rd but there is a long strip of waste-land where they are building the Olympics that seems rather difficult to traverse from west to east without using either the cycle path or a huge 5 land flyover...
mmm... will keep thinking!
R

 

[red_tom]

I'm a Victoria Park local as well (Crown Estate, just off Victoria Park road). I'm usually going towards the centre of town or out to Tottenham so don't have many routes in your direction. I'll have a look at my maps to see if I can work something out. You done well in finding CycleChat though - great bunch of people.

 

[JamesAC]

I think that the Greenway, certainly during daylight hours, is ok, especially east of Stratford High Street (my daughter cycles the opposite way to work). It has the advantage of being wide, straight(ish) and flat, and gets you to the Barking Road at Plaistow in good time. From here the Barking Road has a cycle lane thing most of the way up to the A406 RAB and flyover. I'd get off my bike at this point, and be a pedestrian 'till I got to the other side.

In winter time/dark evenings or mornings, you'd be better off on the road .. Grove Road, Mile End Road to Bow Church - don't cycle over the flyover unless you're really sure - dismount and walk over RAB, remount and cycle up Stratford High Street - turn right (dismount if unsure) at Abbey Lane tls - down Abbey Lane - under Greenway - Abbey Road - Miter Road - turn L into Manor Rd, turn R at tls into New Plaistow Road/High Street/Greengate St - turn L into Barking Road (you'll be about 1/2 mile SW of where the Greenway crosses the Barking Road at the Greengate)

 

[rutie]

Hi James... thanks for that - really appreciate your help. i'll dig out my maps and reccy the new route asap
Cheers