OP
OP
mr_cellophane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Essex
London Bridges
- Thread starter mr_cellophane
- Start date
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Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
Blackfriars twice a day for me. Never had a problem, although I commute a bit earlier than the average bear.
hackbike 666
Guest
What's the problem with London Bridge?
If you can't manage that comfortably I'd imagine that a lot of London roads and junctions will cause a problem
Southwark Bridge always seems to have some sort of "works" going on.London Bridge has an appalling layout.I don't believe it is a safe bridge for cyclists.
Where did I say I can't manage London Bridge? It's a nightmare both ends so why use a bridge that is dodgy?
Waterloo Bridge is possibly the best bridge but for me to get on it means I have to climb stairs and also the road leading up to those stairs is not very nice in terms of dodgy motons+co.This is all IMHO and also twenty years of using London Bridges whilst commuting.
If you can't manage that comfortably I'd imagine that a lot of London roads and junctions will cause a problem
Southwark Bridge always seems to have some sort of "works" going on.London Bridge has an appalling layout.I don't believe it is a safe bridge for cyclists.
Where did I say I can't manage London Bridge? It's a nightmare both ends so why use a bridge that is dodgy?
Waterloo Bridge is possibly the best bridge but for me to get on it means I have to climb stairs and also the road leading up to those stairs is not very nice in terms of dodgy motons+co.This is all IMHO and also twenty years of using London Bridges whilst commuting.
I do London Bridge either way most days, Waterloo Bridge the other day, I don't see any issue with either
Granted you have to move lanes but so what?
Bridges have never once bothered me, they're long and straight and open, I didn't mean to dig anyone out but I don't understand what the problem is for anyone that's used to riding in London
Granted you have to move lanes but so what?
Bridges have never once bothered me, they're long and straight and open, I didn't mean to dig anyone out but I don't understand what the problem is for anyone that's used to riding in London
hackbike 666
Guest
Blackfriars has changed,used to be able to turn off at the south side of the bridge and go via the OXO tower towards Waterloo but they closed that.
North Side is a bit of a mess at the moment yet more road works making the road untidy but still my preferred route now after giving Southwark Bridge a miss due to yet more roadworks and the added bonus of motorcyclists using the cycle lanes.
Have to go either via Bank or Cannon Street.
Cannon Street isn't perfect due to the two million peds streaming out of the station like ants out of a disturbed ants nest.
Bridges have never once bothered me, they're long and straight and open, I didn't mean to dig anyone out but I don't understand what the problem is for anyone that's used to riding in London
Im not wasting my time arguing.I see all the problems with the bridges so I just go my preferred way and as I said IMHO.
I guess Waterloo Bridge is my favourite but getting to it is a bit of a detour.Don't actually know a route to it but would guess it is not so direct.
I have come off the North side no probs and even the South side onto the rounderbout no probs.
North Side is a bit of a mess at the moment yet more road works making the road untidy but still my preferred route now after giving Southwark Bridge a miss due to yet more roadworks and the added bonus of motorcyclists using the cycle lanes.
Have to go either via Bank or Cannon Street.
Cannon Street isn't perfect due to the two million peds streaming out of the station like ants out of a disturbed ants nest.
Bridges have never once bothered me, they're long and straight and open, I didn't mean to dig anyone out but I don't understand what the problem is for anyone that's used to riding in London
Im not wasting my time arguing.I see all the problems with the bridges so I just go my preferred way and as I said IMHO.
I guess Waterloo Bridge is my favourite but getting to it is a bit of a detour.Don't actually know a route to it but would guess it is not so direct.
I have come off the North side no probs and even the South side onto the rounderbout no probs.
Sittingduck
Legendary Member
- Location
- Somewhere flat
User1314 said:
South>North 7am
North>South 4pm
hackbike 666
Guest
My times vary so much.I was there around 7am this morning.
hackbike 666
Guest
I tried Waterloo bridge yesterday with the intention of dropping to the low level,but instead I rode to St Pauls and found it more direct.
The only prob with the bridge is that the bus drivers seem to be total nutters who pass closely at speed,or perhaps I was unlucky.
Im sure I have noticed it before there.
Seems like all the Bridges have a disadvantage of some sort.
Blackfriars Bridge is a mess,roadworks and stuff at the North End.Generally not bad if it was ever tidied up.
Southwark Bridge is a mess always seems to be some sort of roadworks and also shared with heavy vehicles.Two closed in cycle lanes but when can we ever use both of them?
London Bridge...awful road layout both ends.
Tower Bridge....Don't tend to use it.
The only prob with the bridge is that the bus drivers seem to be total nutters who pass closely at speed,or perhaps I was unlucky.
Im sure I have noticed it before there.
Seems like all the Bridges have a disadvantage of some sort.
Blackfriars Bridge is a mess,roadworks and stuff at the North End.Generally not bad if it was ever tidied up.
Southwark Bridge is a mess always seems to be some sort of roadworks and also shared with heavy vehicles.Two closed in cycle lanes but when can we ever use both of them?
London Bridge...awful road layout both ends.
Tower Bridge....Don't tend to use it.
they do vary northbound and southbound, but I find Southwark Bridge the quietest northbound, and it has a safe right turn at the northern end. I've never tried the cycle lane southbound on Southwark Bridge, but the main part of Southwark Bridge southbound is not brilliant.
I ride over Blackfriars Bridge with the Babe which isn't entirely comfortable - she's not the strongest of cyclists - but going southbound and turning left at the southern end is not bad - turning right is trickier.
If safety is your main concern I'd go south on Blackfriars and north on Southwark. I wouldn't bother with London Bridge southbound because the southern end down to Southwark Street is a mess and Southwark Street is lumpy and bumpy. London Bridge northbound is not bad if you loop down to the Embankment as you clear the bridge.
I ride over Blackfriars Bridge with the Babe which isn't entirely comfortable - she's not the strongest of cyclists - but going southbound and turning left at the southern end is not bad - turning right is trickier.
If safety is your main concern I'd go south on Blackfriars and north on Southwark. I wouldn't bother with London Bridge southbound because the southern end down to Southwark Street is a mess and Southwark Street is lumpy and bumpy. London Bridge northbound is not bad if you loop down to the Embankment as you clear the bridge.
London Bridge is the one I cross but that's cos I work in the area. 
I turn into Tooley Street southbound so just have to stay left. Ditto, going north, I take the bus lane although you do have to be careful of the very occasional bit of traffic that wants to turn onto Upper Thames Street.
As with cycling everywhere, I guess it is what you feel confident doing. Sometimes a good cycling skill is to be aware of when you would prefer to get off and push!
I turn into Tooley Street southbound so just have to stay left. Ditto, going north, I take the bus lane although you do have to be careful of the very occasional bit of traffic that wants to turn onto Upper Thames Street.As with cycling everywhere, I guess it is what you feel confident doing. Sometimes a good cycling skill is to be aware of when you would prefer to get off and push!
Blackandblue
New Member
- Location
- London
Blackfriars Bridge for me - both ways. It's not great but is the most convenient and provided you have your wits about you it should be fine. I tend to be more west than east in my bridge choices - Westminster I find OK and Vauxhall is OK but traffic is very fast particularly southbound and you need to be pretty confident with your positioning and speed as you come off the southern section of Vauxhall Bridge (not that this is of any interest to the OP!).
hackbike 666
Guest
Westmisnter possibly although it's like Tower Bridge that I very rarely use it and Vauxhall probably never.I really dislike the north end of Blackfriars now it's a mess but generally it means that the traffic is at a standstill during the busy periods.Thinking about Waterloo it's not ideal either but I will give it another try as it's more direct.
If safety is your main concern I'd go south on Blackfriars and north on Southwark
Directness is more my concern.Perhaps I just like Waterloo as it's something different.
If safety is your main concern I'd go south on Blackfriars and north on Southwark
Directness is more my concern.Perhaps I just like Waterloo as it's something different.
hackbike 666
Guest
My only collision on a London Bridge was on Tower Bridge ironically.
