Cycling in london on the up.

[Paulus]

BBC News - Cycling in City of London rises by more than 50%
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgxek18z5eo

This is good news as long as it can be sustained.
I know few on here think that London is a dangerous place to cycle in, but I have cycled in and around London for decades without many problems. The motorised vehicles are often travelling at about the same speed as the cyclists.
Long may it continue. 🚴‍♂️

 

[fossyant]

All good.

 

[fossyant]

It's often more dangerous in other cities as we don't have the critical mass, and drivers aren't expecting cyclists. Manchester isn't particularly good, and any cycle routes are usually only found in certain areas (Chorlton and Salford), the rest of us can get lost, apparently.

 

[markemark]

It's a bit of a nonsense as 2 years ago London was in the midst of a WFH culture.

The numbers still feel less that pre covid. Closer but fewer cyclists than 2019. All it's doing is slowly growing as people head back to work over the years.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Also need to bear in mind that this is for the City, which is tiny and generally a bit weird. But it's probably indicative of London as a whole.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Also need to bear in mind that this is for the City, which is tiny and generally a bit weird. But it's probably indicative of London as a whole.

Ah thats a very good point, City of London is not the same as London the capital of the UK.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I lived in London for 15 years and saw a huge increase in cyclists/commuters over that time. Was back there for a few days recently in (very) central London and was surprised by how few cyclists I saw. Cars, taxis and buses were everywhere and main streets like Oxford/Regent/Park Lane etc. seemed to be gridlocked throughout the day. I know it is a very small area but W1 in particular is now just overrun with private cars for the uber wealthy.

I know it will never happen but I would love to see most of the major areas around the tourist attractions and public parks pedestrianised. Everything is within tube and walking distance from London Bridge to Marble Arch which covers your major hotspots.

As an aside, one of my favourite stories when I lived there. I was walking down Marylebone rd one day, a tourist approaches me and asks for directions to Houses of Parliament. I tell him it is too far to walk so spend several minutes explaining tube and bus routes to him. He nods, says thank you and then proceeds to step onto the road and just hail a taxi!

 

[wiggydiggy]

I lived in London for 15 years and saw a huge increase in cyclists/commuters over that time. Was back there for a few days recently in (very) central London and was surprised by how few cyclists I saw. Cars, taxis and buses were everywhere and main streets like Oxford/Regent/Park Lane etc. seemed to be gridlocked throughout the day. I know it is a very small area but W1 in particular is now just overrun with private cars for the uber wealthy.

I know it will never happen but I would love to see most of the major areas around the tourist attractions and public parks pedestrianised. Everything is within tube and walking distance from London Bridge to Marble Arch which covers your major hotspots.

As an aside, one of my favourite stories when I lived there. I was walking down Marylebone rd one day, a tourist approaches me and asks for directions to Houses of Parliament. I tell him it is too far to walk so spend several minutes explaining tube and bus routes to him. He nods, says thank you and then proceeds to step onto the road and just hail a taxi!

The distances between places are massively underestimated by the unfamiliar I find, I remember I was in a pub somewhere near Blackfriars and some colleagues at Buckingham Palace wanted to meet me, they walked. By the time they got there I'd got bored of waiting and had ordered, and eaten, my dinner lol.

 

[Paulus]

Also need to bear in mind that this is for the City, which is tiny and generally a bit weird. But it's probably indicative of London as a whole.

Ah thats a very good point, City of London is not the same as London the capital of the UK.

I would think that if cycling in the City is up, then cycling in London as a whole should be up, as the cyclists need to get to the City from the rest of London in the first place.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I would think that if cycling in the City is up, then cycling in London as a whole should be up, as the cyclists need to get to the City from the rest of London in the first place.

It can be implied thats the case yes, but we can only hope it is as the survey doesn't tell us either way.

 

[PaulSB]

It's often more dangerous in other cities as we don't have the critical mass, and drivers aren't expecting cyclists. Manchester isn't particularly good, and any cycle routes are usually only found in certain areas (Chorlton and Salford), the rest of us can get lost, apparently.

Interesting to read this. I cycle in Manchester from time to time. Usually when we're gravel riding and need to use the streets to pick up another towpath, cycle route etc. It never worries me.

I've ridden in London getting to and from the start and finish of Ride London. This obviously isn't very representative.

The one time I did attempt to ride in London was from Euston to Waterloo when I was enroute to St Malo. I was so terrified by all the forms of transport, including cyclists, speeding around me at Euston I pushed the bike, probably two miles, until I was reasonably clear of traffic and felt it was safe to ride.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Interesting to read this. I cycle in Manchester from time to time. Usually when we're gravel riding and need to use the streets to pick up another towpath, cycle route etc. It never worries me.

I've ridden in London getting to and from the start and finish of Ride London. This obviously isn't very representative.

The one time I did attempt to ride in London was from Euston to Waterloo when I was enroute to St Malo. I was so terrified by all the forms of transport, including cyclists, speeding around me at Euston I pushed the bike, probably two miles, until I was reasonably clear of traffic and felt it was safe to ride.

I never had an issue with feeling safe riding around London but completely understand why people would feel this for the reasons you state. My major issue when I lived there was the sheer number of cyclists that felt the need to try and race on crowded roads, putting themselves and others in danger.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'd describe cycling in Zone 1 as stressful rather than outright dangerous.

I started cycling in London in 1980 and from memory there were fewer cyclists on the roads than I see now and it actually was dangerous. I was knocked off a couple of times but never significantly injured. Although some of that danger may have come from my own somewhat reckless approach resulting from youthful immortality.

I have an old git free Oyster card now, and make maximum use of that. Or walk, I really like walking round London. I leave cycling in the centre of town to a new generation of reckless youths.

As to how things could be improved, I'd love to see some of the many delivery vans replaced by cargo ebikes. I have no idea whether that's a practical thing or just an idealistic dream.

 

[PaulSB]

I never had an issue with feeling safe riding around London but completely understand why people would feel this for the reasons you state. My major issue when I lived there was the sheer number of cyclists that felt the need to try and race on crowded roads, putting themselves and others in danger.

In some respects on my one experience it was cyclists that worried me the most.

I should perhaps add this. My geography of Manchester isn't great. I once found myself on a train which unexpected terminated at Salford Crescent. I needed to get to Picadilly for another train and time was short. I mentioned this to the rider travelling next to me. His response was don't worry, follow me. Dear God! I rode in a manner and speed I wouldn't normally dream of in a city centre. I wasn't proud of it but the guy did get me to Picadilly.

I wouldn't want to give the impression London is full of crazy people on bikes when I know full well the same elsewhere.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

As to how things could be improved, I'd love to see some of the many delivery vans replaced by cargo ebikes. I have no idea whether that's a practical thing or just an idealistic dream.

Evri are now using some kind of quadricycle for many of their local deliveries and I rarely see their vans these days. (One courier on the local run is excellent, another is stupidly atrocious.)