Bicycling around London?
 

Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
around London during daylight hours?
We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
sightsee within 5 miles of that area.

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

John wrote:

    > Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
    > around London during daylight hours?
    > We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
    > sightsee within 5 miles of that area.

Dunno, but maybe this link will help :
http://www.londoncyclenetwork.org/

--
ME
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

John wrote:
Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to
get
around London during daylight hours?

My son-in-law somertimes used to ride one to work there before moving.
Of course he knew which routes were safe, but you as a tourist don't
really know that. How easy is it to leave the bike parked? I don't
really know how safe it is, but if you are used to driving on the right
side of the road instead of the left, I definitely wouldn't do it,
instead of a fender bender if you're driving a car, you'll have a
fatality. With a travel card the tube and bus are cheap, and if you
want to see the surface sights, the bus is the way to go instead of
magically popping up at destinations using the tube. A good deal of
central London is walkable without using any public transportation.

George

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

On 15 Jun 2005 11:09:06 -0700, "george" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >John wrote:
    >Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to
    >get
    >around London during daylight hours?
    >My son-in-law somertimes used to ride one to work there before moving.
    >Of course he knew which routes were safe, but you as a tourist don't
    >really know that. How easy is it to leave the bike parked?

there's plenty of places to lock a bike up, so long as it is locked up
and in a busy area it will be completely safe.

    > With a travel card the tube and bus are cheap, and if you
    >want to see the surface sights, the bus is the way to go instead of
    >magically popping up at destinations using the tube. A good deal of
    >central London is walkable without using any public transportation.

Hammersmith into central london is a pretty easy cycle and you're very
quickly into parks, there's lots of cycle lanes, it's very safe, if
you're not that confident a cyclist, at busy junctions just get off
and walk, but on a lot of the main roads there's a bus lane so you're
very isolated from the car.

There's also the option of going on the thames path completely free
from cars from hammersmith into town, or even out to hampton court via
richmond park and the thames, a very enjoyable cycle ride (but more
than 5 miles) I think it's an excellent idea. Cycle routes are well
signed and keep you away from the main roads and on quieter ones.

Whilst obviously cycling round the bus station in hammersmith is a
nightmare, walking around that bit and cycling all around is simple
and safe.

Jim.

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

Jim Ley wrote:
Hammersmith into central london is a pretty easy cycle and you're very
quickly into parks, there's lots of cycle lanes, it's very safe, if
you're not that confident a cyclist, at busy junctions just get off
and walk, but on a lot of the main roads there's a bus lane so you're
very isolated from the car.

There's also the option of going on the thames path completely free
from cars from hammersmith into town, or even out to hampton court via
richmond park and the thames, a very enjoyable cycle ride (but more
than 5 miles) I think it's an excellent idea. Cycle routes are well
signed and keep you away from the main roads and on quieter ones.

I'm certain that there are pleasant bike ways that are probably
perfectly safe and would be enjoyable to ride on. However, the OP
sounded like he was going to use bicycling exclusively to get around
central London, which I believe is an entirely different matter. I
never really looked, but can't remember seeing cyclists on central
London streets. I live in Stuttgart and would certainly cycle in the
parks and on the special isolated bike paths, but I would never even
consider riding a bicycle (other than for enjoyment) as a primary means
of transportation on city streets, especially as a tourist. I walk or
take public transport, although there are always a few people who will
ride in heavy traffic on busy streets.

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 09:17:14 -0700, "John" <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
    >around London during daylight hours?
    >We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
    >sightsee within 5 miles of that area.

I lived in Hammersmith for years and often cycled into the centre.
Hyde Park Corner is hair-raising, and the route is never particularly
direct, but it can be done in around 20 mins to the West End.

The traffic in London is a whole lot more respectful than here in
Italy!
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

    >> Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses
    >> to get around London during daylight hours?
    >> We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes
    >> to sightsee within 5 miles of that area.
    > I lived in Hammersmith for years and often cycled into the centre.
    > Hyde Park Corner is hair-raising, and the route is never particularly
    > direct, but it can be done in around 20 mins to the West End.

I did Hyde Park Corner on a Bickerton folding bike once - these have
the unusual design feature that the handlebars swing towards you if
you pull hard enough. Just stay r - e - l - a - x - e - d and calm,
no jerks when changing lane or when being passed by 44-tonne TIRs and
psycho taxidrivers...

I suspect the Parachute Regiment is mostly made up of former London
cycle commuters in search of a more laid-back way of making a living.

============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ==============
Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

"Deep Foiled Malls" <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
    > On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 09:17:14 -0700, "John" <[email protected]>
    > wrote:
    >>Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
    >>around London during daylight hours?
    >>We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
    >>sightsee within 5 miles of that area.
    > I lived in Hammersmith for years and often cycled into the centre.
    > Hyde Park Corner is hair-raising, and the route is never particularly
    > direct, but it can be done in around 20 mins to the West End.
    > The traffic in London is a whole lot more respectful than here in
    > Italy!

How's the air--now that the congestion charge is in effect? Seems like you'd
breath a lot of carbon monoxide.

Marianne

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

Bike lanes are normally well indicated. I picked up a free bike route map in Selfridges one time. It may be worth planning your routes and avoiding as many main streets as possible. It can be pretty dangerous not to mention really polluted and some people are oblivious to bikes so be careful and be on the lookout. For a slightly safer route you could go through Hyde Park rather than on the road. Oh, and wear a helmet!

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:11:56 -0700, "Mimi" <[email protected]>
wrote:

    >"Deep Foiled Malls" <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote in
    >message news:[email protected]...
    >> On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 09:17:14 -0700, "John" <[email protected]>
    >> wrote:
    >>>Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
    >>>around London during daylight hours?
    >>>We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
    >>>sightsee within 5 miles of that area.
    >> I lived in Hammersmith for years and often cycled into the centre.
    >> Hyde Park Corner is hair-raising, and the route is never particularly
    >> direct, but it can be done in around 20 mins to the West End.
    >> The traffic in London is a whole lot more respectful than here in
    >> Italy!
    >How's the air--now that the congestion charge is in effect? Seems like you'd
    >breath a lot of carbon monoxide.

I don't think the air in London has been too bad for a long time. In
the tube it's wretched, but London usually gets a bit of a breeze
which pushes the pollution where they want it - France.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

On 15 Jun 2005 12:42:58 -0700, "george" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >I'm certain that there are pleasant bike ways that are probably
    >perfectly safe and would be enjoyable to ride on. However, the OP
    >sounded like he was going to use bicycling exclusively to get around
    >central London, which I believe is an entirely different matter. I
    >never really looked, but can't remember seeing cyclists on central
    >London streets.

I have, there's lots of them, not around the sites, but then I'm sure
the OP would be walking around those too.

There's lots of commuter cycling, and the routes to the center are
good with both good signing, so he shouldn't get lost, good dedicated
bus/cycle routes to keep the cyclist free from the majority of the
traffic, it's a pretty good option.

Jim.

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

In message <[email protected] .com>,
george <[email protected]> writes

    > I
    >never really looked, but can't remember seeing cyclists on central
    >London streets.

There are thousands of us. A pity more car drivers can't see us.

--
congokid
Good restaurants in London? Number one on Google
http://congokid.com

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

In message <[email protected]>, John
<[email protected]> writes
    >Is it practical or safe to use a bicycle rather than Tube and buses to get
    >around London during daylight hours?
    >We have accommodations near Hammersmith and plan to use rented bikes to
    >sightsee within 5 miles of that area.

If you're accustomed to cycling round large cities, then it's a very
practical and enjoyable method of travelling round town.

I cycle from near Hammersmith to the Holborn area of London, where I
work, and back every day and once a week I cycle through Hammersmith and
round the large one way system at the centre of it.

I've been doing this for the past 13 years and no serious mishaps.

--
congokid
Good restaurants in London? Number one on Google
http://congokid.com

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

congokid <[email protected]> wrote:

    >In message <[email protected] .com>,
    >george <[email protected]> writes
    >> I
    >>never really looked, but can't remember seeing cyclists on central
    >>London streets.
    >There are thousands of us. A pity more car drivers can't see us.

Jaysus, man! If they saw you, they'd run you down. Invisible is good.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED

Re: Bicycling around London?
 

If you're reasonable fit and brave, go for it ! Cycling is a fantastic
way to get around London, particularly if you're visiting so can afford
to take your time, pause to look at stuff and hang out in parks and
leafy squares.

It's not a risk-free option though as the traffic here is lethal
(worse, IMHO, since the Congestion Charge, because there's a bit more
space on the roads inside the zone now and everyone's going that bit
faster); a certain Zen-like calm is required in the face of multiple
brushes with the Grim Reaper.

Also, come prepared: you really should make sure that you have the
right equipment, e.g.:

- good quality cycle helmet (ABSOULTELY NECESSARY unless you want to be
shipped home in a box...)
- gloves (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - I have the scars on my right hand to
prove this...!)
- high visibility tabard or similar (ABSOULTELY NECESSARY unless you're
really going to be cycling in nothing but good daylight; but what about
when you come out of the pub later on.. ;) ???)
- working lights (ditto, though I would hope they'll come with the
bike)
- good quality bike lock (once again, I would hope this would come with
the bike)
- waterproofs (it rains a _lot_ here, even in "summer")
- elbow protectors (optional - you'll probably look a bit silly in
them, to be honest)
- knee pads (ditto)
- face mask (well, I think they're more trouble than they're worth,
some people swear by them - go figure !)

Having said all the above, I've only had 2 nasty falls in 15 years -
the scars on my right hand are from coming off when cut up by a black
cab (no surpise there then !); the other occasion was from riding into
the (closed) gates of Richmond Park at the 2 in the morning: I was
s**t-faced, of course. That was a laugh, trying to convince local
residents that the guy banging on their door covered in blood in the
middle of the night needed helping rather than arresting !

Which reminds me: strictly speaking, drink-drive limits do apply to
riding a bicycle. You'll be _very_ unlucky to get pulled over when
riding drunk (you're more likely to _fall_ over), but if you do, and
you get one of those young lads with something to prove, you could end
up in a bad place.

Which prompts another thought: since I moved to London in 1982, I've
had very few encounters with the law, but it strikes me that when I
have, in every case where the officer's been younger than me I've got a
ticket while the older guys just give me a strern lecture and tell me
to p*** off ! Not a good outlook now that I'm past 40 !

Finally, don't worry about parking, you'll find countless places to
leave the bikes all across the capital.

At the end of it all, you should go home fitter and happier.

Have a great trip !

Nick