London Bridges

[mr_cellophane]

I am moving offices in the spring to Bankside between Blackfriars and Southwark Bridges. I am not sure whether to come down the Mile End Road or Cable Street cycle path yet, but that is not an issue at present.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to which bridge would be safest/best to cross North/South ? I am not keen on Tower Bridge as the surface is bad. I am inclined to London Bridge, but the north side going home never struck me as very safe.

 

[Brains]

Tower Bridge is borderline lethal for cyclists, and personally I'd have no problem if either cars or bikes were banned from using it, but to have both is downright dangerous.

London Bridge is pretty good by bridge standards. The entry and exit at both ends is OK once you know the light sequences

The Wobbly Bridge (Millennium bridge) is of course very good, but you need to scoot rather than ride across

Blackfrias is not good, likely to be cut up

Southwark - OK

 

[mr_cellophane]

I thought the Millennium Bridge was peds only. I had forgotten that one either way. Could well be the best route - past Cannon Street and turn left on to the bridge. Even if I walk across.

 

[theboytaylor]

I think you'd be best walking it across the Millennium Bridge cos it's not terribly wide and there will be lots of people taking photos, etc.

As above, London Bridge is OK - there's a big ASL at each end. Going Southbound can be a bit trickier but is OK as long as you are authoritative in getting into your lane - don't just scoot down the left and expect to be able to get across. Majority of traffic is taxis and buses and on the whole they are pretty vigilant, but it's a wide junction and if you're in lane it's easier to hold your position.

 

[DJ]

I would go on London Bridge myself, wide road and mainly cabs or buses, large amount of other cyclists too which is a good thing.

When you come off the bridge on the south side, once across the lights and turn right that road is also quite wide and the traffic is moving but not too thick.

The only bit about London Bridge I find a bit confusing is coming north are we (cyclists) meant to stay in the bus lane all the way to the end and follow the buses through the lane that turns left and then signal right and cross over the traffic lanes to turn right and head towards leadenhall or do we cross early and squeeze down next to the traffic but then emerge in the correct lane for turning right to leadenhall?

 

[skwerl]

I would go on London Bridge myself, wide road and mainly cabs or buses, large amount of other cyclists too which is a good thing.

When you come off the bridge on the south side, once across the lights and turn right that road is also quite wide and the traffic is moving but not too thick.

The only bit about London Bridge I find a bit confusing is coming north are we (cyclists) meant to stay in the bus lane all the way to the end and follow the buses through the lane that turns left and then signal right and cross over the traffic lanes to turn right and head towards leadenhall or do we cross early and squeeze down next to the traffic but then emerge in the correct lane for turning right to leadenhall?

cross early. it's not well laid out for cyclists that bit

 

[theboytaylor]

cross early. it's not well laid out for cyclists that bit

What he said. Cross early (just as you come to the first building after the water is my marker!) and take up a central position in the lane. It can be tricky because it's a wide road but if you look over your shoulder to make sure you've got room and signal clearly you'll be fine.

 

[hackbike 666]

I cross at Blackfriars Bridge and have done for ages.Can't say London Bridge is my favourite.Did do Southwark Bridge but too many dodgy lorries.

 

[Tynan]

I do Mile End Road and over London Bridge, no bother other than Fenchurch Street which is full of idiot peds and badly driven coaches in equal measure, London Bridge itself is fine

Going North, I hold a very primary where the road splits, run up the bus bit and then merge to the right approaching the lights where all the traffic has had to slow down, no pint starting at the front overly as it seems to be the most jumped set of lights in the City

 

[hackbike 666]

Yeah I do basically the same (When I use that bridge).Don't like the lights at the junction though.

 

[DJ]

What he said. Cross early (just as you come to the first building after the water is my marker!) and take up a central position in the lane. It can be tricky because it's a wide road but if you look over your shoulder to make sure you've got room and signal clearly you'll be fine.

Ye I reckon that is probably the best way to approach that junction, probably a bit more speed and a more primary position on my part would sort that one out!

The junction does need redesigning with a view to getting cyclists across it IMO.

 

[hackbike 666]

I think London Bridge is an awful bridge for cyclists.

 

[Sig SilverPrinter]

i go over southwark bridge the cycle lane has a low concrete wall separating you from vehicles

 

[DJ]

i go over southwark bridge the cycle lane has a low concrete wall separating you from vehicles

Sig are you coming on the Ampsheer ride?

 

[tdr1nka]

I think London Bridge is an awful bridge for cyclists.

+10000000's

I avoid going North on London Bridge, it's a fuggin nightmare.