Commuting in London
Discussion
Hi Chaps & Chapesses,
I currently work outside London but maybe moving to work in the 'dreaded' city.
I really dont fancy sitting on trains and tubes for hours every day so am considering using one of the bikes to commute.
Does anyone on here do it or have any comments on it?
I've been riding bikes for a good few years and commuted rurally but not in the 'big smoke'
Any comments (well most
) are greatfully accepted.
Nick
I currently work outside London but maybe moving to work in the 'dreaded' city.
I really dont fancy sitting on trains and tubes for hours every day so am considering using one of the bikes to commute.
Does anyone on here do it or have any comments on it?
I've been riding bikes for a good few years and commuted rurally but not in the 'big smoke'
Any comments (well most
) are greatfully accepted. Nick
Hello mate,
I've worked in the city all my working life (16 years...JESUS, where the hell did that go?!) and started to commute in Feb or Mar this year, after riding for 6 months or so. It's not as bad as everyone makes out. Just take your time at first, and you'll find most drivers ok..It's the feckin pedestrians you wanna watch out for!
Within 2 or 3 weeks, you'll be flying about with no worries.....Staying safe though, of course. Where abouts you going from/to?
I've worked in the city all my working life (16 years...JESUS, where the hell did that go?!) and started to commute in Feb or Mar this year, after riding for 6 months or so. It's not as bad as everyone makes out. Just take your time at first, and you'll find most drivers ok..It's the feckin pedestrians you wanna watch out for!
Within 2 or 3 weeks, you'll be flying about with no worries.....Staying safe though, of course. Where abouts you going from/to?
I did direct access, passed my test and started commuting two weeks after when I picked up my first bike. I've been commuting now for a getting on three and a half years. The best advice I can give is not to push for every last gap/filtering opportunity and try to chill out, there's never any benefit in competing for space with other road users. There's plenty of chances to pass all the cages in the smoke, since they kindly queue up and wait for you at every red light. Keep and eye out for the usual suspects - taxis doing u turns, aggressive to$$ers in vans, cyclists jumping red lights just as they're changing and last but not least inconsiderate scootah jockeys. Even with a quite large proportion of numties on the roads, I'd take it over being crushed in a train every time.
Steve.
Keep and eye out for the usual suspects - taxis doing u turns, aggressive to$$ers in vans, cyclists jumping red lights just as they're changing and last but not least inconsiderate scootah jockeys. Even with a quite large proportion of numties on the roads, I'd take it over being crushed in a train every time. Steve.
Fire99 said:
Hi Chaps & Chapesses,
I currently work outside London but maybe moving to work in the 'dreaded' city.
I really dont fancy sitting on trains and tubes for hours every day so am considering using one of the bikes to commute.
Does anyone on here do it or have any comments on it?
I've been riding bikes for a good few years and commuted rurally but not in the 'big smoke'
Any comments (well most
Nick
I've commuted across london (east to south west) for over 6 years now pretty much every working day of the week all weathers.
I'd say its a matter of getting used to this style of riding while trying to be as safe as possible and yet still make progress.
In most riders cases you will build up enough skill over time to know what most 4 wheel dwellers will do before they do it.. also you get to know when to hang back and when to pass as well. Though this obviously doesn't apply to those who drive completely randomly and without giving any other roadusers a clue on what they're doing.
As already noted you have to watch out for pedestrians many of which seem to be on a suicide mission and can't seem to spot bikes/scooters. Many pedestrians also seem to be colour blind as on the rare occations that they actually use the crossings they tend to make sure its green to traffic rather than them. Or you get the classic wait, wait, wait.. then cross just as the lights turn green to traffic.
Watch for red light jumpers (as already mentioned) particularly cyclists and buses who seem to be the worst offenders.
Also make sure you have a bike that will actually fit in the gaps between the traffic. I'm getting p*ssed off with wide bikes/scooters blocking the way over the last two weeks of having to use the limehouse link/highway/tower bridge cos the Rotherhythe tunnel (my usual route) is closed. These wide machines won't ever move out the way to let you or others through (R6s are nice and narrow) and yet they're quite happy to block everyone else much to some of the bikers annoyance (lots of hooting and revs the nuts of the engine).
Enjoy!
>> Edited by sjtscott on Friday 19th May 15:59
chilli said:
Hello mate,
I've worked in the city all my working life (16 years...JESUS, where the hell did that go?!) and started to commute in Feb or Mar this year, after riding for 6 months or so. It's not as bad as everyone makes out. Just take your time at first, and you'll find most drivers ok..It's the feckin pedestrians you wanna watch out for!
Within 2 or 3 weeks, you'll be flying about with no worries.....Staying safe though, of course. Where abouts you going from/to?
Cheers for that.. Not exactly certain where yet.. Probably not too far from London Bridge.. and coming in from 'Sunny' Southend on Sea
Just working on a couple of possibilities at the mo..
When thinking about working in the City i just couldn't bring myself to spend my life sniffing armpits on the trains... (and spending a few thousand quid for the privilege)
i've been commuting for about 3 weeks now, i passed my test on the 25th april, bought a bike on the 27th, and commuted the next day 
as far as i can tell it seems to be wise advice to take your time! some people seem so desperate to get ahead...but it's not like it gains you that much time anyway.
for what it's worth i commute from tooting to canary wharf via tower bridge every day (haven't tried the tunnel yet!)
as far as i can tell it seems to be wise advice to take your time! some people seem so desperate to get ahead...but it's not like it gains you that much time anyway.
for what it's worth i commute from tooting to canary wharf via tower bridge every day (haven't tried the tunnel yet!)
Lots of good advice above. Don't try to follow a courier through diminishing gaps, those guys judge clearance to the nearest mm. Make sure you leave much bigger braking space in the wet, London streets are V. slippery as they get loads of diesel spilled, not forgetting white lines and manhole covers. Get an additional convex add-on mirror to cover blind spots, you haven't got time for a shoulder check while filtering in crowded streets.
Once you work out a route, try to find alternatives around some of the bottlenecks. It might save you time, at the very least it makes a change of scenery.
Bike bays get very crowded, just when you think its full, some clown on a battered scooter will shove it right against your previously immaculate bike. After a while any commuter bike will be covered in scrape marks from bike bays (unless you are lucky enough to have your own underground space).
Once you work out a route, try to find alternatives around some of the bottlenecks. It might save you time, at the very least it makes a change of scenery.
Bike bays get very crowded, just when you think its full, some clown on a battered scooter will shove it right against your previously immaculate bike. After a while any commuter bike will be covered in scrape marks from bike bays (unless you are lucky enough to have your own underground space).
Passed DAS last Autumn and have been doing the Barnes to Temple route every day since on a Fazer 600. A bit intimidating at first, but once you know the route, you learn where to be in the road at various junctions and lights and can judge your speed accordingly to try and minimise foot down time (better to go a bit slower and have the lights green when you get to them).
Most of the scares I had were my own doing (stalling and getting rammed by an overkeen moped behind - numpty biker mistakes which hopefully I don't make anymore). Agree totally about taking your time - don't try for every gap and keep things relaxed. If you have a gut feeling about a car/bike/person in front, use it and assume the worst. That has saved a fair few sticky situations for me - mainly the infamous U or right turn with no indicator.
journey time door to door 25 mins on bike - no matter what the weather/traffic. Equivelant bus/tube journey takes 60-70 mins. No contest - especially with sweaty summer tubes coming soo.
Cheers
Most of the scares I had were my own doing (stalling and getting rammed by an overkeen moped behind - numpty biker mistakes which hopefully I don't make anymore). Agree totally about taking your time - don't try for every gap and keep things relaxed. If you have a gut feeling about a car/bike/person in front, use it and assume the worst. That has saved a fair few sticky situations for me - mainly the infamous U or right turn with no indicator.
journey time door to door 25 mins on bike - no matter what the weather/traffic. Equivelant bus/tube journey takes 60-70 mins. No contest - especially with sweaty summer tubes coming soo.
Cheers
Commute in from North of Chelmsford to Canary Wharf, and on the whole, I really enjoy it. Plenty of good advice above.
The only thing I would add is that I cannot commute on a slow and / or boring bike. I have commuted on an R1, GS500E, R6 and GPZ600R. The R1 was the best by far, then the R6. Also I find the position of the mirrors on a sportsbike (i.e. low) are far better for getting through narrow gaps than other taller stuff.
The only thing I would add is that I cannot commute on a slow and / or boring bike. I have commuted on an R1, GS500E, R6 and GPZ600R. The R1 was the best by far, then the R6. Also I find the position of the mirrors on a sportsbike (i.e. low) are far better for getting through narrow gaps than other taller stuff.
Now in my 16th year, from SW London to City (Eastcheap), all year round unless it snows or I'm out on the p...
Try and find secure parking, I have always managed it, even slipping the security guard a few quid on a regular basis to park in private car park, your offices may even have underground parking so ask if you can just tuck it away in a corner. Corp of London car park in Swan Lane (v close to L.B) has free underground parking for bikes but its being demolished in the near future, don't know exactly when. Quite a few car parks have free bike parking you just have to sniff them out.
Always assume every car has is out to kill you, every scooter rider is a Rossi wanabee and has removed their brain before setting out and cyclists believe they own the road.
Best way to travel and I agree with prvious comment commute on something proper, much safer.
Try and find secure parking, I have always managed it, even slipping the security guard a few quid on a regular basis to park in private car park, your offices may even have underground parking so ask if you can just tuck it away in a corner. Corp of London car park in Swan Lane (v close to L.B) has free underground parking for bikes but its being demolished in the near future, don't know exactly when. Quite a few car parks have free bike parking you just have to sniff them out.
Always assume every car has is out to kill you, every scooter rider is a Rossi wanabee and has removed their brain before setting out and cyclists believe they own the road.
Best way to travel and I agree with prvious comment commute on something proper, much safer.
Hi
I've done the bike commute from Woodford to City (Upper Thames Street) for 16 years, every day, all year round. Obviously it can be a bit grim when the weather is terrible but otherwise it's the only way for me. Three factors:
1. The time
Although I have to get changed on arrival at the office, before departure for home, the journey itself takes around 20-23 mins. Add 5 for changing and compare to 1hr 5-10mins for walking to the train station, train journey (when on time), walking at other end etc.
2. The freedom factor
When commuting by train/tube, you're doing just that: commuting. It's part of your job in a sense. At the end of the day when you leave the office, you're not done, you still have your commute (in your suit or whatever) to do before you're on your own time/home.
On a bike, the second you pull out of the office car park/parking bay, you're on your bike. You're free. It's not a commute - it's a bike ride
3. Fun
Way more fun than being on the train
On riding, remember that most bike accidents happen on roads you're familiar with. You start to take things for granted. There will always be those that don't see you or turn without indicating but over time you develop a sense (from road positioning, glances in their mirrors, who's moving out of the petrol station etc) of what might happen. I see scooter riders and bike riders who have obviously turned to commuting only fairly recently and they seem oblivious to these things. So first tip, is develop that sense as strongly as you can.
Second tip is don't get mad. You'll get cut up, blocked off, nudged or whatever - all by people who are clearly in the wrong. Don't get mad. Doesn't help and what happens to the next bike that comes across the same perpertrator?
3rd, if someone lets you out or waves you through then once through (after checking they were signalling you and not the car thats about to cross your path as you filter through) acknowledge them with a little wave. They feel good about it and pass it on.
Bottom line is that its a fun way to get to work and a great way to finish the day.
With road riding and racing, I've broken 53 bones crashing motorbikes but, touch wood, was only knocked off on the commute once - 15 years ago and long before this 'sense' became as tuned as it is today. It truly is a lifesaver.
Be careful, be calm and enjoy it.
Oh and I agree about the numpties on bigger bikes (or actually smaller bikes like little 125cc cruisers that have HUUUUUUUUGE sticky out Carlos Gandango mirrors on them so they can't filter. Traffic from East end to City has been grim because of the tunnel closure and scoots or bikes that won't filter and won't get out of the way are adding, ooooh, possibly 2 or 3 minutes to my journey. Grrrrrrr! Seriously though, a traffic jam, some inconsiderate driving, whatever, its never going to add to your journey time massively, so repeat the advice above, stay calm, don't take anything for granted, develop a sense of your commute (danger spots etc) and above all else, enjoy it.
MM
I've done the bike commute from Woodford to City (Upper Thames Street) for 16 years, every day, all year round. Obviously it can be a bit grim when the weather is terrible but otherwise it's the only way for me. Three factors:
1. The time
Although I have to get changed on arrival at the office, before departure for home, the journey itself takes around 20-23 mins. Add 5 for changing and compare to 1hr 5-10mins for walking to the train station, train journey (when on time), walking at other end etc.
2. The freedom factor
When commuting by train/tube, you're doing just that: commuting. It's part of your job in a sense. At the end of the day when you leave the office, you're not done, you still have your commute (in your suit or whatever) to do before you're on your own time/home.
On a bike, the second you pull out of the office car park/parking bay, you're on your bike. You're free. It's not a commute - it's a bike ride
3. Fun
Way more fun than being on the train
On riding, remember that most bike accidents happen on roads you're familiar with. You start to take things for granted. There will always be those that don't see you or turn without indicating but over time you develop a sense (from road positioning, glances in their mirrors, who's moving out of the petrol station etc) of what might happen. I see scooter riders and bike riders who have obviously turned to commuting only fairly recently and they seem oblivious to these things. So first tip, is develop that sense as strongly as you can.
Second tip is don't get mad. You'll get cut up, blocked off, nudged or whatever - all by people who are clearly in the wrong. Don't get mad. Doesn't help and what happens to the next bike that comes across the same perpertrator?
3rd, if someone lets you out or waves you through then once through (after checking they were signalling you and not the car thats about to cross your path as you filter through) acknowledge them with a little wave. They feel good about it and pass it on.
Bottom line is that its a fun way to get to work and a great way to finish the day.
With road riding and racing, I've broken 53 bones crashing motorbikes but, touch wood, was only knocked off on the commute once - 15 years ago and long before this 'sense' became as tuned as it is today. It truly is a lifesaver.
Be careful, be calm and enjoy it.
Oh and I agree about the numpties on bigger bikes (or actually smaller bikes like little 125cc cruisers that have HUUUUUUUUGE sticky out Carlos Gandango mirrors on them so they can't filter. Traffic from East end to City has been grim because of the tunnel closure and scoots or bikes that won't filter and won't get out of the way are adding, ooooh, possibly 2 or 3 minutes to my journey. Grrrrrrr! Seriously though, a traffic jam, some inconsiderate driving, whatever, its never going to add to your journey time massively, so repeat the advice above, stay calm, don't take anything for granted, develop a sense of your commute (danger spots etc) and above all else, enjoy it.
MM
Fire99 said:
Wise words MM.
So what bikes are everyone commuting on?
R6 in my view perfect for the job. Light, manoverable, plenty of go for when needed. Can ride feet up at walking pace no problem
Widest bit of bike are mirrors.. makes it very easy to judge just how small a gap I can fit through. To be honest pretty narrow.
MM - I'm amazed at the physically smaller lower cc bikes which can't fit through gaps in London. I know exactly the type of mirrors you describe.. I find em really funny when I'm not stuck behind them.
I have to say once too oftern recently coming across bikes with full panniers/wide top boxes who are just mobile road blocks. The highway up to tower bridge is just too narrow for them with two solidly packed lanes in rush hour in the morning.
Yer it might only add a few mins at most but its frustrating esp when you've got a queue of bikes behind you all getting annoyed. At least the bloody tunnel should be open next week.
R1 road bike or KTM 950SM I picked up about a month ago.
After giving a bit of responsible advice, I have to admit to being a bit of a c*ck on my commute, especially when you (rarely) get a clear bit of road. 6 or 7 bikes at the lights and off we go on the back wheel. I'd love to think they're all going "oooh what a great wheelie" but deep down know they're all saying "tw*t".
The KTM makes you want to do that all the time and has not been very reliable even though I consider it one of the most capable bikes I've ever owned.
Advantages of sports bikes for commuting include:
- their mirrors don't stick out too far
- the mirrors are lower than on so-called commuter bikes (Fazer's, Bandits etc) and so just squeeze under mirrors in tight gaps.
Oh and scooter riders / other commuters: PLEASE try and filter with your feet ON the pegs. You have much more balance that way. Those that 'walk' their bike through gaps are exposing themselves to much more danger, are more unbalanced (imbalanced?) and slow their own progress.
MM
After giving a bit of responsible advice, I have to admit to being a bit of a c*ck on my commute, especially when you (rarely) get a clear bit of road. 6 or 7 bikes at the lights and off we go on the back wheel. I'd love to think they're all going "oooh what a great wheelie" but deep down know they're all saying "tw*t".
The KTM makes you want to do that all the time and has not been very reliable even though I consider it one of the most capable bikes I've ever owned.
Advantages of sports bikes for commuting include:
- their mirrors don't stick out too far
- the mirrors are lower than on so-called commuter bikes (Fazer's, Bandits etc) and so just squeeze under mirrors in tight gaps.
Oh and scooter riders / other commuters: PLEASE try and filter with your feet ON the pegs. You have much more balance that way. Those that 'walk' their bike through gaps are exposing themselves to much more danger, are more unbalanced (imbalanced?) and slow their own progress.
MM
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