Cycling In Heavy Traffic

[Wester]

I will be cycling to a new work location in london shortly and changing from cycling in light traffic to cycling in heavy fast moving traffic . Any tips and advice on staying safe and not being knocked of my bike on my new work journey

 

[akb]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-essential-guide-for-new-commuters.56622/

 

[akb]

Stay safe and good luck!

 

[Beebo]

You will find that London has so many cyclists that the traffic is very aware of them.

For the first few commutes you will need to be cautious, get to know the pinch points, the tricky junctions and where you need to take primary etc and you will be fine within a few weeks.

If you tell us your route someone on here will probably be able to help with specifics.

 

[biking_fox]

Any tips and advice on staying safe and not being knocked of my bike on my new work journey

Be predictable and easily seen.
Follow the rules of the road, don't jump likes, weeave about, dart across lanes etc.
Be observant - watch out for people turning across you or pulling out.- but again main roads are better in this respect because nearly everyone is travelling in the same direction.

If you can ride at the pace of the traffic.
Ride Wide. Take your space.

In many respects riding in heavy traffic on a nominally fast road is better than riding in light traffic. The cars aren't going anywhere! and won't be able to pass you at speed.

Although I'm not in London, I commute daily down the A6 and A34 in Manchester. It's generally (vast majority of time) fine.

 

[Davidsw8]

I will be cycling to a new work location in london shortly and changing from cycling in light traffic to cycling in heavy fast moving traffic . Any tips and advice on staying safe and not being knocked of my bike on my new work journey

What areas will you be cycling in?

I cycle round Kennington, Vauxhall, Westminster and a little bit of Mayfair.

I think the best bit of advice is, if the traffic looks REALLY heavy, you're sometimes better off getting off your bike and walking it a few metres rather than trying to squeeze between slowly moving, big vehicles.

Also, get a decent bell for alerting pedestrians of your presence (they tend to cross the roads with their ears rather than their eyes) or get a good 'Oy!' cocked and loaded

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Get a boris bike and wobble all over the road,that'll learn 'em.

 

[Davidsw8]

Get a boris bike and wobble all over the road,that'll learn 'em.

I hate Boris Bikes!!

 

[Lee_M]

if you're in London you're unlikely to find fast moving heavy traffic

 

[Wester]

You will find that London has so many cyclists that the traffic is very aware of them.

For the first few commutes you will need to be cautious, get to know the pinch points, the tricky junctions and where you need to take primary etc and you will be fine within a few weeks.

If you tell us your route someone on here will probably be able to help with specifics.

My commute will be from Ealing in West London to Marylebone in Central London which will take me through Acton , Sheperds Bush , Notting Hill and Bayswater . Any tricky points along the way ?

 

[defy-one]

I do that route. Be careful around Shepherds Bush, In particular the roundabout that leads up the hill to Notting hill.
Apart from that a pretty safe route with no major incidents.
What will your commute time be? I usually pass Ealing common around 10am

 

[slowmotion]

Going home, it's possible to get up a fair speed down Holland Park Avenue. Watch out for any potholes or raised/sunken manhole covers.

 

[Wester]

I do that route. Be careful around Shepherds Bush, In particular the roundabout that leads up the hill to Notting hill.
Apart from that a pretty safe route with no major incidents.
What will your commute time be? I usually pass Ealing common around 10am

Strange but true i was also thinking about that roundabout i think there is a walkway underneath it so it might be a good idea to hop of my bike for a 60 seconds and use the walkway instead of the roundabout

My commute time will be about 07.30 inbound and 16.00 outbound

 

[jonny jeez]

My commute will be from Ealing in West London to Marylebone in Central London which will take me through Acton , Sheperds Bush , Notting Hill and Bayswater . Any tricky points along the way ?

Your ride in will be a breeze as the wind runs to the east in the mornings, coming home will obviously carry the penalty.

If I were you I'd avoid the A40 Westway and drop down onto the A402, through Holland park (still pretty busy but more prone to having a good bus lane to ride in).

Failing that drop further south still and ride along Kensington High Street and through Hyde park (glorious) to Bayswater, this is the first few miles of my ride home (Shepherds Bush to Kent) and I really enjoy it. Breaking at the park to run past the Albert memorial is lush and the sun on the serpentine in the mornings will be worth the additional mile or so.

Perhaps, if you allow time grab a latte at the tennis club in the park, you can call your order through the door and wait outside under the brollies (so never leaving the bike)...then sit back and sip whilst you spot celebs running circuits round the lake, perfect

For hints on riding in traffic follow AKB's link, its a great guide (although I'm a little biased)

actual guide link (as opposed the thread) is here
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/guide.pdf

 

[defy-one]

Strange but true i was also thinking about that roundabout i think there is a walkway underneath it so it might be a good idea to hop of my bike for a 60 seconds and use the walkway instead of the roundabout

My commute time will be about 07.30 inbound and 16.00 outbound

I usually get off and walk "right" towards Earl Court. It's better than trying to cycle that one.

16:00 ... Keep a look out for me on a specialised sirrus elite when the suns out