What is it like cycling through London

[Markymark]

Wow I imagine that's quite a lot of cyclists looking for a limited amount of bike parking. If you were to ,say commute 5 miles each way through the centre of London on a bike how long would it take you as opposed to doing the same journey in a car. I would imagine it could be done easily in half the time by bike. Sorry for all the questions but it's interesting to know how the other half live compared to a country bumpkin like my self lol

Commute by tube is same time as 10 mile commute, around 40 mins. Car is 1-1.5 hours.

 

[vickster]

For me, an hour by train door to door. Probably be 1h15 for me by bike in rush hour (I'm not v quick, be probably 11-12mph), plus locking up, changing etc

Driving no chance, probably £20-30 a day to park even if you can!

 

[Cuchilo]

From Hanworth to New cross took me 4 hours each way to drive last year . I ended up taking everything to the job on a Sunday and cycled there and back in half the time . 8 hours a day driving and then trying to do a days work is insane especially as its only about 18 miles away !

 

[mustang1]

On a regular route you get used to the traffic patterns, the way it flows. You still have the odd numpty in a car or on bike but you just get in with it.

For new routes it's more tedious. For example I once went to Heathrow on bike during rush hour and it wasn't enjoyable.

 

[Markymark]

About 1:5 tube journeys is hurrendous when there's severe delays. Driving varies between awful and horrible. Cycling times are fairly constant.

 

[swee'pea99]

As others have said, cycling in London is fine, as long as you anticipate, anticipate, anticipate. It's when you get out to places like Essex and Herts that you encounter the psychopaths who get their jollies by close-passing at 50.

 

[slowmotion]

Wow I imagine that's quite a lot of cyclists looking for a limited amount of bike parking. If you were to ,say commute 5 miles each way through the centre of London on a bike how long would it take you as opposed to doing the same journey in a car. I would imagine it could be done easily in half the time by bike. Sorry for all the questions but it's interesting to know how the other half live compared to a country bumpkin like my self lol

I average about 10mph when I'm moving. I'm taking it fairly gently. There are lots of junctions and traffic lights as well.

 

[Markymark]

I find there's a big difference between lovely quiet back routes and the super highways.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

One thing that doesn't seem to have been mentioned about driving in London is that congestion charging zone. I don't remember how much it costs but it must be over or around £11.50 just to go anywhere near central London on weekdays.

Like @Markymark says, there's a big difference between the superhypeways and the back routes. I do like a bit of peace and quiet, it helps me face up to the noisy, smelly bits.

 

[Dec66]

I hate it. Especially going home on winter evenings. It's like being in a real-life version of Tron.

Having said that, I'd much rather cycle that take a train to London Bridge and Cannon Street.

 

[Hill Wimp]

It's great and so much safer than country lanes.

I just love cycling in cities. My absolute favourite so far was Udipur India. I nearly got side swiped by an escaped donkey from a convent and on Christmas Day too. Figure that.

The energy, discipline and respect for other road users gets you through so long as you follow the rules of the road and don't take shortcuts in your road craft.

 

[Paulus]

Absolutely. I really have no complaints about London drivers. They are used to cyclists and you get very little aggression. If they get nasty, you can always catch them in the queue at the next set of lights and enjoy some verbals.

I have cycled through central London many times, east to west and north to south. As slowmotion rightly says, most drivers are well aware of cyclists, you will be surprised just how many cyclists there are on the roads riding all sorts of bikes. Just keep your wits about you and try to anticipate what might happen.

 

[vickster]

The least aware and considerate in my experience are black cabbies, many seem to be c**** with a sense of entitlement to drive how and where they like

 

[Tin Pot]

I have cycled through central London many times, east to west and north to south. As slowmotion rightly says, most drivers are well aware of cyclists, you will be surprised just how many cyclists there are on the roads riding all sorts of bikes. Just keep your wits about you and try to anticipate what might happen.

Actually it's not the cars that bother me in central London, it's the cyclists and trucks that can behave like it's a stampede. Black cabs are a minor irritance, but I enjoy their silent gurning.

To the OP, it'll be different depending on time of day, I'd avoid 5-7pm but I'm sure you'll survive.

 

[ianrauk]

avoid 5-7pm but

I would say, worse time for commuting is during school run. Selfish, inattentive, bad parking mums in their 4x4's* make passing any school these days a real hazard.

*Sorry for the stereotyping, but after 13 years of commuting through SE London, my observations stand quite true.