London Cycling - Waterloo to Canary Wharf
Discussion
Hey guys and girls,
First time posting here, but always been a keenish biker, from trials as a kid, to a bit of DH.
Anyway, I'm older and slightly larger now, hence the question.
I currently ride from my home to the station most days, then when I'm in London I jump on the tube to canary wharf.
However the tube is expensive, hot and smelly, and im trying to get more exercise.
So is it possible to cycle from Waterloo station, all the way to canary wharf along the riverside?
But, and here is the big but, without cycling on any roads? So sticking to the river paths/cycle highways?
Im a confident and considerate cyclist but the amount of deaths recently has put me off.
Waterloo is on the river, my work is on the river, seems possible but unsure on the laws of cycling on the riverside paths and if its one simple continues route.
Thanks
First time posting here, but always been a keenish biker, from trials as a kid, to a bit of DH.
Anyway, I'm older and slightly larger now, hence the question.
I currently ride from my home to the station most days, then when I'm in London I jump on the tube to canary wharf.
However the tube is expensive, hot and smelly, and im trying to get more exercise.
So is it possible to cycle from Waterloo station, all the way to canary wharf along the riverside?
But, and here is the big but, without cycling on any roads? So sticking to the river paths/cycle highways?
Im a confident and considerate cyclist but the amount of deaths recently has put me off.
Waterloo is on the river, my work is on the river, seems possible but unsure on the laws of cycling on the riverside paths and if its one simple continues route.
Thanks
Can't answer the specific legalities/paths but speaking practically you likely won't be able to cycle on the riverside paths owing to the shire volume of people using them...embankment turns to lower Thames street (i think?) and would take you there, it is however a busy road until they finish the segregated cycle lanes...
Just ride on the road would be my shout, I've managed for years and haven't come off yet (2 forgetting to unclip falls aside).
Generally, don't go up the inside of a lorry, be forceful (deliberately move out towards the middle to prevent overtakes at traffic islands, move to the front and then pull directly in front of cars at lights) and wear a hugely powerful light set to strobe front and rear means you can't be cut up, squeezed out and makes sure your seen. Just got to be prepared to receive verbal from drivers for slowing them up/epileptics but is worth it to preserve your own safety tbh.
Just ride on the road would be my shout, I've managed for years and haven't come off yet (2 forgetting to unclip falls aside).
Generally, don't go up the inside of a lorry, be forceful (deliberately move out towards the middle to prevent overtakes at traffic islands, move to the front and then pull directly in front of cars at lights) and wear a hugely powerful light set to strobe front and rear means you can't be cut up, squeezed out and makes sure your seen. Just got to be prepared to receive verbal from drivers for slowing them up/epileptics but is worth it to preserve your own safety tbh.
It's not practical unfortunately. You do get the occasional person going along there on a Boris bike, but they are roundly despised, and there are long stretches which are "Cyclists Please Dismount".
If you were a confident cyclist then it's an easy pedal but you'll definitely be on roads for more than 10%.
Bring your running shoes instead?
Edited to add: Whilst each death is a personal tragedy for the families of the victims, please don't let that put you off cycling in London. Reporting every single death creates a culture of fear, but statistically, riding in London is no more or less dangerous than it has ever been.
If you were a confident cyclist then it's an easy pedal but you'll definitely be on roads for more than 10%.
Bring your running shoes instead?
Edited to add: Whilst each death is a personal tragedy for the families of the victims, please don't let that put you off cycling in London. Reporting every single death creates a culture of fear, but statistically, riding in London is no more or less dangerous than it has ever been.
Edited by Usget on Tuesday 23 June 17:50
We did Canary Wharf to Westminster Bridge as part of Stage 3 of our Tour de Pistonheads homage to the Tour de France. We were on road but I remember there were stretches where the pavement alongside was signed as dual cycle/pedestrian use.
I've had a quick Google and this seems the best online resource OSM
And there's the OSM Cycle Map key
So, you could get from the Tower to Limehouse off road, at least. And the East-West Cycle Super highway will, when it's finished next year, get you the first bit from Waterloo Bridge to the Tower. It's not far at all from Limehouse to Canary Wharf, and there's a recommended route on quiet roads (if they're the same roads we used then note they're cobbled in places for the full Roubaix experience).
I've had a quick Google and this seems the best online resource OSM
And there's the OSM Cycle Map key
So, you could get from the Tower to Limehouse off road, at least. And the East-West Cycle Super highway will, when it's finished next year, get you the first bit from Waterloo Bridge to the Tower. It's not far at all from Limehouse to Canary Wharf, and there's a recommended route on quiet roads (if they're the same roads we used then note they're cobbled in places for the full Roubaix experience).
Edited by SixPotBelly on Wednesday 24th June 09:08
No doubt you know the area better than me, but which roads will be busy? The Embankment is having the Super Highway put in as we type, which will get the OP from Waterloo Br to Tower Hill, and it looks to me like Cable Street (from Tower Hill to Limehouse) already has one.
I'd wait until the Embankment Super Highway opens then give it a go once, to see how it is. Perhaps go in on a Sunday especially to try it out, when the traffic is lighter.
I'd wait until the Embankment Super Highway opens then give it a go once, to see how it is. Perhaps go in on a Sunday especially to try it out, when the traffic is lighter.
Well he will need to go over waterloo bridge and then get down to river level I guess, the embankment currently is a nightmare, and as you say it may be made better with that highway, but riding over waterloo bridge is still pretty hectic, when you get to the end of there you either have to go onto strand then down or walk down the steps etc.
Either way its not the same as riding along the riverside which is not possible.
Either way its not the same as riding along the riverside which is not possible.
SixPotBelly said:
Might be worth adding that Waterloo Bridge has cycle lanes each way, to the left of the bus lanes, which are in turn left of the main traffic lanes.
But not as nice as a completely off-road path along the river, I grant you.
It does but that stops near the busy bit by the stand, then its a bunfight with the buses. And coming back south the buses seem hell bent on cutting people up. I'm not saying don't do it, but if you're not confident about riding in traffic, and statements like 'more than 10%' sound like that to me, then perhaps its best to wait until embankment is done, as currently I don't think its great.But not as nice as a completely off-road path along the river, I grant you.
sidekickdmr said:
Im a confident and considerate cyclist but the amount of deaths recently has put me off.
As an ex-Londoner- pedestrians and cyclists have been dying on a daily basis for as long as I can remember but the media have recently got hold of "Another Cycle death" and its their new toy to shout about... I'm not convinced there is a particular increase in deaths/1000 cyclists just more cyclists ergo more reported accidents.Take a look at http://www.sustrans.org.uk for the recommended/signed cycle routes.
scubadude said:
sidekickdmr said:
Im a confident and considerate cyclist but the amount of deaths recently has put me off.
As an ex-Londoner- pedestrians and cyclists have been dying on a daily basis for as long as I can remember but the media have recently got hold of "Another Cycle death" and its their new toy to shout about... I'm not convinced there is a particular increase in deaths/1000 cyclists just more cyclists ergo more reported accidents.Take a look at http://www.sustrans.org.uk for the recommended/signed cycle routes.
SixPotBelly said:
We did Canary Wharf to Westminster Bridge as part of Stage 3 of our Tour de Pistonheads homage to the Tour de France. We were on road but I remember there were stretches where the pavement alongside was signed as dual cycle/pedestrian use.
I've had a quick Google and this seems the best online resource OSM
And there's the OSM Cycle Map key
So, you could get from the Tower to Limehouse off road, at least. And the East-West Cycle Super highway will, when it's finished next year, get you the first bit from Waterloo Bridge to the Tower. It's not far at all from Limehouse to Canary Wharf, and there's a recommended route on quiet roads (if they're the same roads we used then note they're cobbled in places for the full Roubaix experience).
Thats an excellent map with loads of info ! I've had a quick Google and this seems the best online resource OSM
And there's the OSM Cycle Map key
So, you could get from the Tower to Limehouse off road, at least. And the East-West Cycle Super highway will, when it's finished next year, get you the first bit from Waterloo Bridge to the Tower. It's not far at all from Limehouse to Canary Wharf, and there's a recommended route on quiet roads (if they're the same roads we used then note they're cobbled in places for the full Roubaix experience).
Edited by SixPotBelly on Wednesday 24th June 09:08
The only problem with that is, the salmon coloured route through Wapping and onto the Wharf would take ages as it's lots of turns! The cycle lane along Cable St is pretty good and i've used it a bundle of times but then the OP has to deal with the craziness of crossing the river over one of the bridges to get that far.
I personally would just grab the bull by the horns and do it the simplest and quickest way but, i would say that living there.
OP, you've two choices here i think. Cycle and brave it. Or don't and get the tube. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff