Cycling on the A40 in london? Any advice

[Tampon]

I have a 17 mile journey, and I could take the car but it would be a bh to drive out in the morning ( Hillingdon to Fulham tonight - Fulham to Hillingdon in the morning ).

I am thinking rather than taking the car in tonight and driving back in the morning, take the tube tonight with the bike and then ride back in the morning. Only thing is the most direct route is the A40, are you legally allowed to ride on that road, if so, would you?

I am confident on the bike and I ride motorbikes and scooters ( just not at the moment ) so road sense shouldn't be a problem.

[absolutely]

Personally I wouldn't do it, the buses are the real danger in London, they cut cyclists off and squeeze them into unsafe positions.

[mk1fan]

Are you really asking if you can ride on an 'A' road? Perhaps some time with the Highway Code would be an idea

Can be vary manic on London's roads. Sections of the A40 can be moving very quickly so I'd be aware of the turbulance caused by lorries etc.. passing you at 50mph. I personally woldn't have an issue with riding it.

[Tampon]

mk1fan said:

Are you really asking if you can ride on an 'A' road? Perhaps some time with the Highway Code would be an idea

Can be vary manic on London's roads. Sections of the A40 can be moving very quickly so I'd be aware of the turbulance caused by lorries etc.. passing you at 50mph. I personally woldn't have an issue with riding it.

No, a "A road" I would cycle down, but you could hardly call the A40 from the M25 past Northolt into london a typical A road, it is a motorway until Ealing then it slows to 50mph.

Just wondered if anyone has, or does it.

[mk1fan]

Well, if it's a Motorway - I assume A40(M) or even the M40 - then no you can't ride on it. I believe you can get a copy of the HC from WH Smiths

[Mekon]

I was going to ride the A12 or A13 the other week. I used a van instead, and jeeze, was I was glad I didn't.

If the A40 is like either of those, then I'd use the "quiet streets" option on TFLs journey planner to find yourself another route.

[Tampon]

Mekon said:

I was going to ride the A12 or A13 the other week. I used a van instead, and jeeze, was I was glad I didn't.

If the A40 is like either of those, then I'd use the "quiet streets" option on TFLs journey planner to find yourself another route.

Cheers Mekon, had a look, will take the car sat nav and just use that to figure out another route when the a40 get a bit too hairy.

[sjg]

There is separated cycle lane on the A40 around Hillingdon, but I'm not sure how much of the A40 has that.

I'd rather head for Ealing and go along the Uxbridge Road (A4020) from there though.

[CAB]

sjg said:

There is separated cycle lane on the A40 around Hillingdon, but I'm not sure how much of the A40 has that.

I'd rather head for Ealing and go along the Uxbridge Road (A4020) from there though.

I ride into central london from west london your best option IMHO is either;
- Ride along the A40 cycle path/pavement (it is legal) then drop down to Fulham
- Grand union canal it runs north of the A40 but will probably take you too far into central london - logical exit points are around the nottinghill/paddington area!
- Get to the north circular ride, south to the chiswick round about, then head towards to chiswick. Be careful not to end up on the a4 as that is also grim.

the latter option is prob the most direct

CAB

[Tampon]

CAB said:

sjg said:

There is separated cycle lane on the A40 around Hillingdon, but I'm not sure how much of the A40 has that.

I'd rather head for Ealing and go along the Uxbridge Road (A4020) from there though.

I ride into central london from west london your best option IMHO is either;
- Ride along the A40 cycle path/pavement (it is legal) then drop down to Fulham
- Grand union canal it runs north of the A40 but will probably take you too far into central london - logical exit points are around the nottinghill/paddington area!
- Get to the north circular ride, south to the chiswick round about, then head towards to chiswick. Be careful not to end up on the a4 as that is also grim.

the latter option is prob the most direct

CAB

Thannks, anyone one know where you can find out where the cycle paths are on the A40 or in london in general ?

[cjs]

Yes you can get to Ealing/Perival on cycle paths but then they disappear! It's then a mixture of cycle paths/half pedestrian paths to Hanger Lane Gyratory, you then have to go over the top, don't go through the tunnel!! You Cannot go past white city as the A40 Westway Fly Over is no cycling. You have to drop down to the Uxbridge road (A4020?) or use the Harrow Road.

It won't be a fun ride.

[ewenm]

Tampon said:

Thannks, anyone one know where you can find out where the cycle paths are on the A40 or in london in general ?

Google isn't that hard to use is it: http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=37

I'd take the canal option myself but obviously it might not go where you want to go.

[Tampon]

ewenm said:

Tampon said:

Thannks, anyone one know where you can find out where the cycle paths are on the A40 or in london in general ?

Google isn't that hard to use is it: http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=37

I'd take the canal option myself but obviously it might not go where you want to go.

No your right it isn't, thanks for the info but I was looking for a online version.

Anyone know of where I can find on of those ?

[ewenm]

Tampon said:

ewenm said:

Tampon said:

Thannks, anyone one know where you can find out where the cycle paths are on the A40 or in london in general ?

Google isn't that hard to use is it: http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=37

I'd take the canal option myself but obviously it might not go where you want to go.

No your right it isn't, thanks for the info but I was looking for a online version.

Anyone know of where I can find on of those ?

You can order them (for free) on the TfL website. I'd imagine doing a route query on there specifying cycling would suggest routes using the cycle paths so you'd be able to see them online there.

[CAB]

TFL website will actually plot the bike routes. the free paper maps are quite useful also

All found online

[Tampon]

CAB said:

TFL website will actually plot the bike routes. the free paper maps are quite useful also

All found online

Your a star, thankyou very much.

[mk1fan]

www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling

As well as plotting routes you can download area maps too.