20 mile daily London commute: Road Bike or Scooter?

[ACG1984]

Hi all,

The job in question starts this September. Work will be 10 miles (one way) from Home.

My longest experience of cycle-commuting is 7-miles one way (I was a little fitter then); even then this winter, I caved in mid-December when the cold got too biting.

I'm not convinced I have the fitness for a 20-mile daily commute (the work is rota-based shift work, 13 hours per shift...and one that unfortunately requires I use my brain whilst clocked in)

I'm considering buying a scooter (Vespa 125cc to be precise: circa 2.5K)

Is the scooter purchase a reasonable solution, or I am being a lightweight re: the potential bike commute?

Edited by ACG1984 on Sunday 25th March 22:51

[anonymous-user]

I used to commute 12 miles each way- depending on the traffic its a doddle. You dont need a scooter for that sort of distance - particularly in London where it's mostly flatter than a flat thing.

[sjg]

I did a 10 mile each way London commute for a bit, it was fun. That was at a company with awesome secure bike storage, showers and drying facilities though, and places to store my work stuff so I didn't have to drag my laptop back and forth. I might think differently if I had to chain the bike up outside and traipse through the office in my cycle kit before getting changed in the toilets.

Scooter is fine if you'll be in early enough to get parked, and it doesn't get nicked.

[Ilovejapcrap]

I’d go scooter 13 hour rota work takes it toll on body clock , I do them save fitness for days off

[Big Pants]

It's also about secure bike/scooter storage or parking at journey's end. They're both eminatently nicakable.

[ACG1984]

Shift intensity is a major consideration.

a) I’m a children's doctor --> so autopiloting can be potentially life (and career!) -ending
b) I will be working 13 hours shifts on a rota including nights and weekends
c) In a part of West London that I've never worked before
d) With a commute longer than any I've tackled before
e) over the winter months.

As much as I Iove the idea of the commute in theory (and I try and attend my local cycling club when rota and health permit)...I'm not sure it's sustainable. Especially as I've been much fitter previosuly than I am now.

My brother was horrified at the suggestion of dropping 2.5K on a scooter which he thinks I'll only use for 6 months (obvs this isn't the case: I'll make sure it remains value for money). Up until he spoke, I thought it was a sensible solution...but he's cast a shadow of doubt into my thoughts.

(p.s. I’m not in the mood to consider commuting by train. Been there, done that: not pleasant, cost-effective, or largely reliable)

Edited by ACG1984 on Sunday 25th March 22:51

Edited by ACG1984 on Sunday 25th March 22:53

[kiethton]

Used to do 15 miles each way, mon-fri, on a road bike.

I then bought a motorbike...car easier. The former could be done but it does drain you somewhat until you're fully fit and used to it.

I'm now 11 miles away and still have both bike's, try to cycle 2/3 days a week dependent on weather.

[Barchettaman]

Pedelec? Have a bit of electric assist on hand when necessary?

I see gazillions of the things over here in Germany.

[CraigBroadbent]

Yes pedelec is the way to go. You can go in cycle lanes with this too.
Cycle to work scheme should help to pay too.

[idiotgap]

I cycle 14 miles each way, I can cope with that after a year+ of doing it most days. I ratcheted up from 10 miles over a little while.

but... I never have to do a 13 hr shift. I work from home a couple of days in a fortnight and can exercise that option at will and have amazing facilities for bike storage, showers, free snacks etc. The e-bike sounds like a great idea to me at least as an option. Assuming you have the space, you could have a non-assisted bike as well and use the e-bike only when you're flagging or you know you're going to be late/drained.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I do 10 miles a day each way

Pretty easy tbh, only thing that is a pain is really wet days and back to back riding, your body doesn't get enough rest days

Needed the car recently , so only do 2/3 days a week riding, I'd say 3/4 times a week is fine

[ccr32]

To echo the thoughts of others, 10 miles each way a day is fine in London for anyone of moderate fitness or better - largely flat (unless you're coming from Crystal Palace, or the hillier parts of North London) and plenty of cycle superhighways and the like to use.

Downsides - you need a decent setup at the office in my opinion, and that includes secure bike parking, decent showers, drying facilities or the provision of towels etc. Without this IMO, it becomes more hassle than it's worth for 20 miles a day.

Also, major downside is being at the mercy of every other fkwit that uses the roads in London - regardless of your own alertness, this is always a hazard to your health. To be fair this also applies to motorbiking too, even if you are the lowest of the low in the eyes of every other road user when using a scooter (as a car driver, I believe the pecking order from scumbag to less-scumbag is 1. Scooters, 2. Cyclists, 3. Motorbikes, 4. Addison Lee / Uber drivers, 5. Buses, then everyone else)

Riding a scooter, same applies re: parking, though it is a lot less faff in terms of having to have showers, drying facilities and the like.

I have done all of the above commuting from the suburbs in to the city and my current choice is the scooter (which cost me £800 and hasn't missed a beat - you don't need to spend £2.5k on one if you know what you're looking for), though will start cycling more in the summer months. Driving is a non-starter unless you like spending 4 hours a day in it and paying £12 + parking costs for the privilege.

Edited by ccr32 on Monday 26th March 14:22

[ACG1984]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

ccr32, a few questions if you don't mind:
- how old was the scooter when you bought it?
- what was its mileage?
- how many previous owners?
- dealer / private?

I'd be nervous buying an £800 scooter, as that implies either heavy mileage or an older model (I think these are fair presumptions?) And I'd be nervous about buying privately. A dealer sale seems to provide an element of peace of mind, I think.

I'd obviously be happier spending circa £800 than £2.5K...but not for a turkey that’s gonna clap out in 3 months. Or anything I'd have to tinker with personally- certainly not more frequently than the regular services and perhaps monthly washes.

I’d want a reliable motor…that doesn’t cost the earth

[rexel1]

Get one of these electric bikes.

http://www.oxygenbicycles.com/e-bikes/s-cross-cb

I used to cycle in on my normal bike (14 miles each way) and found it totally draining by the end of the week.

I got the bike above and upgraded to hydraulic disc brakes. It’s been faultless and is great fun to ride.

[MrGman]

I check out insurance first, you might get a shock even on a 125 scooter.

I bought a Yamaha scooter for 800, used it for two years and sold it for 900, only had a service and two tyres in my ownership. Stick with Jap and you should get something good for even 800 and it's won't really lose anything in value.

[Esceptico]

I’ve ridden (motorbike) in London a few times. Perhaps it is just me but I found I had to concentrate quite hard as lots of hazards. Personally I wouldn’t be comfortable doing that after a 13 hour shift as a doctor. Throw in winter and bad weather. Not for me. Public transport is awful though.

Perhaps try cycling for a week when you start and then make a decision.

If you go down the scooter route then a secondhand Japanese scooter from a dealer should be fine. Hondas are a bit pricier but I think they still have the best build quality and should hold their value.

[HardtopManual]

I'd say 20 miles a day on a bicycle is ideal. Long enough to get a decent workout and make it worth getting the bike out, but not so long that you'll be shagged at the end of the week. Even if you take it very easy, you're looking at 45 minutes, tops. Plus, if you're doing a 13 hour shift, that suggests that either one or both ways will be outside rush hour, so it'll actually be safer and more pleasant than you'd think.

Winter commuting is about two things: mudguards and clothing.

[ccr32]

ACG1984 said:

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

ccr32, a few questions if you don't mind:
- how old was the scooter when you bought it?
- what was its mileage?
- how many previous owners?
- dealer / private?

I'd be nervous buying an £800 scooter, as that implies either heavy mileage or an older model (I think these are fair presumptions?) And I'd be nervous about buying privately. A dealer sale seems to provide an element of peace of mind, I think.

It (a Piaggio X8) was 9 years old when I bought it, and is now 11 years old. Mileage was approx 20k I believe, and a couple of previous owners. Private sale. Touch wood it has been very reliable, only money spent on it has been for annual services, brake pads and a couple of punctures.

[numtumfutunch]

Ex London cyclist and motorcyclist here

The major factor in your choice of transport just has to be theft prevention at work and at home

I suspect your work may have a bike cage under CCTV but will have utterly no provision for motorcycle parking so the decision is easy
Keep a big FO lock and chain for your push bike either in the cage or in your office/locker at work and you're sorted
At home bike lives in bedroom obvs

West London could mean anywhere however you probably know already how much of the commute will be on safe cycle routes
My old commute looked horrific on paper yet with a little creativity and knobbly tyres took in a number of cheeky parks, tow paths, tube lines and bike lanes to make it suitable for even my mother

My shift pattern never bothered me either
At the end I was usually still wired and an hours fresh air on the bike set me up nicely for a few hours kip when I got home

Cheers

[okgo]

When I could be arsed I did 17 miles each way, did so for around 6 years. Not really an issue.