Potential new commuter lacking road confidence in London
nothin2seehere
Posts: 11
Hi all,
Yes, new user here! On the verge of splunking the best part of a grand for a bike to be used for the odd spot of commuting and trail riding/MTB. But....
...the guy in the bike shop said it's far better to pick up my new bike ready assembled from the shop. I can't argue with that, but my brain melted down at the thought of riding across central London to Liverpool Street for the first time. Can anyone offer some tips for braving London's busy streets for the first time? To answer my own question (bad form, tut) I'm sure my problem is one of not knowing the roads particularly well, practice makes perfect etc.
Thanks
Richard
Yes, new user here! On the verge of splunking the best part of a grand for a bike to be used for the odd spot of commuting and trail riding/MTB. But....
...the guy in the bike shop said it's far better to pick up my new bike ready assembled from the shop. I can't argue with that, but my brain melted down at the thought of riding across central London to Liverpool Street for the first time. Can anyone offer some tips for braving London's busy streets for the first time? To answer my own question (bad form, tut) I'm sure my problem is one of not knowing the roads particularly well, practice makes perfect etc.
Thanks
Richard
0
Comments
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Howdy!
It's fine. Where's your start point?FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Start point would be High Street Kensington.
Cheers 0 -
I'm sure it'll be fine, welcome
As you've already said, make sure you know where you're going!
Also, I'd say to try and avoid rush hour.
If you've not been on a bike for a while, then you could maybe have a play around one of the parks for a little bit first?0 -
its also worth noting for future journeys that most borough's offer some 1-1 cycle training to get your confidence up, i havent been but heard they are very good (and cheap and free in some boroughs!!)
http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Transp ... aining.asp0 -
What Aidy said about doing some park riding first. Good idea to build up confidence about your bike handling - same applies to any road riding though, not just London.
If you can't do this, try and follow other bikes.
I think LiT on here does/did the HSK run.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
My potential route would involve going through Hyde Park so that would fit. I could always leave my bike at work for a couple of days and take it out at lunchtime to get the feel of it. That may work.
I used to do road riding when I was a kid - don't remember being this daunted back then but it wasn't London 0 -
Riding in London is quite safe as long as you stay calm, assertively claim your place in the flow of traffic and obey road rules. Going the route you would would probably be fine as through central London traffic speeds are relatively low. Don't be afraid of taking primary position and also taking the lane you need for your route.0
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Sounds like a plan.
Fwiw, I'm always a bit apprehensive when I try a new route out purely because I don't necessarily have the foggiest idea where I'm going.
Which have you got? If you have a road bike, you're fine; a cross bike, and you're immediately a pervert; a hybrid, and you may as well be from Space. FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Looking at a Specialized Disc Pro 2010. Chose a MTB so I have the flex of joining my friends at weekends camping etc.
Thanks for all the comments!0 -
It's not by any means as scary as you may think. Two main choices:
- Plan a decent route and take it carefully yourself
- Find a mate who cycles in London and is patient and nice to show you the ropes. I strongly suspect you'd find someone on this board who would help.0 -
Be very clear to other road users what you are doing. Use arm signals to show people where you are going.
I've found that the moment I do that even on roundabouts like Vauxhall or Wellington arch cars just back off. Other road users just want certainty.
Other tip is to be decisive.0 -
Sensible advice above. Before my first commute I spent a couple of weekends riding around London, getting to know the streets and finding the best routes.0
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Don't be embarrassed to stop and walk your bike if you're confused or you think something might be too dangerous (I walk rather than undertake Hammersmith's one way system when it's raining, for instance).
Just take it easy. Take no risks at all while riding assertively. make eye contact with drivers whenever possible, and stay out of the way of any potential hazard, from lorries to cabs to pedestrians.
I had a similar experience when I picked up my fixie and rode it 10 miles across London in rush hour, having never ridden fixed before. I've never been so terrified in my life - but in honesty they only things that were likely to kill me in that case were my lack of knowledge of how a fixed gear bike reacts. On a normal bike, you'll be fine.0 -
The first thing to remember is that Cycling in traffic is a lot safer than it feels. The number of London commuters on this forum testifies to that.
If you are worried about keeping safe, and how to ride in traffic, people who have read it frequently recommend "Cyclecraft" by John Franklin.
Like all cities, London has some hairy junctions but there are usually alternative routes that are safe. High St Kensington to Liverpool Street is easily do-able: say, through Hyde Park, across Park Lane on the cycle route to Upper Brook Street, and away through the back streets to Regent Street, Gt Marlborough St, Soho Sq. Then, say, New Oxford Street, High Holborn and beyond...
Enjoy the new bike!0 -
Like a few have said already, the key is being assertive.
I was like you a year or so back, I had never really been on busy streets but after a few days I grew in confidence, stand your ground and you will have a ball of a time, I really miss commuting in London, its actually easier because you never drop your awareness levels.0 -
I rode my bike through London for the first time last weekend. I've been a regular cycle commuter in Reading for years, and ridden through other big cities, but it was the first time through London.
I prepared by doing a couple of laps of Richmond Park with quite a few people from this forum. And then having several pints of beer.
I woud not necessarily recommend this approach:?Misguided Idealist0 -
Hi,
Like lots here I commute in London. Everyones advice here is great. I'll add, get some BRIGHT gear to wear. I have such yellow clothes and back pack that it's hard to look at!
However since i started wearing it ( used to wear more conventional clothing) traffic gives me more space and treats me better.
be seen doing all the things people suggest!
When do you get your bike?
cheers
Hi Viz0 -
I've been wearing Uniqlo's very loud, bright and cheap t-shirts during my summer commutes.0
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cjcp wrote:Sounds like a plan.
Fwiw, I'm always a bit apprehensive when I try a new route out purely because I don't necessarily have the foggiest idea where I'm going.
Which have you got? If you have a road bike, you're fine; a cross bike, and you're immediately a pervert; a hybrid, and you may as well be from Space.
:evil:0
