Cycling in London has enjoyed a renaissance since the millennium. London's cyclists enjoy a cheaper, and often quicker, way around town than those by public transport or car, and as many trips in London are local these can easily be done by bike. As London's public transport system is over-stretched at peak times making cycling a cheaper, quicker and more pleasant alternative. Though a quality bike and accessories can be expensive overall it may be cheaper than a year's fares on public transport, and a bike should last many years: good condition secondhand bikes would make this even cheaper.
Over one million Londoners own bicycles but as of 2008 around 2 per cent of all journeys in London are by bike: this compares to Cardiff (4.3 per cent), Berlin (5 per cent), Munich (12 per cent), Amsterdam (37 per cent of all journeys) Copenhagen (23 per cent of all journeys / 36 per cent of commutes) and Groningen (57 per cent of all journeys). In 2007 there were more than 500,000 cycle journeys each day in the capital - a 91 per cent increase compared to 2000 - even though 2007 was England's wettest summer since 1912. Nevertheless, it rains less in London than in Amsterdam which, along with Copenhagen, is the most bicycle-oriented European major city.
From July 2010, 6,000 bicycles are available for short-term rental from Transport for London under the Barclays Cycle Hire at 400 docking stations in nine central London boroughs.
History of cycling in London
Starting in the 1960s, Britain experienced a decline in utility cycling due to increasing wealth and affordability of motor vehicles and the favouring of vehicular traffic by planners. Cycling's comeback began in the 1970s[citation needed] when cycling advocates gained more concessions for cyclists and voiced ecological and social concerns about car use.
Cycling conditions in London
Cycle lanes and paths
Cycleways in London
On-road cycle lanes vary. Some have raised concrete kerbs that separate the cyclist from the traffic, whilst others are defined by lines painted on the road surface. The Cycle Superhighways went into use in May 2010.
Cycle paths include routes through the royal parks (St James's Park, Hyde Park, Regents Park and Green Park), along the Thames Path and London's canals and waterways. There is a code of conduct for riding on London's towpaths.
Cyclists can legally cycle in London's Bus lanes.
On road conditions
London's main roads often have heavier and quicker-moving traffic than other major European cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen — though there is a push for 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) maximum speed limits across London. There are also dangers on and along the roads such as the pedestrian railings that bedeck many London corners and streets. Because of all these factors London's cyclists need considerably more experience and skill to ride in such a challenging environment.
Vehicular cycling tactics such as don't hug the kerb are important: cyclists need to stay out of the left-most side of the road. Many deaths have occurred when vehicles pass kerb hugging cyclists and crush them against the pedestrian railings.Rather, cyclists need to hold their ground by riding in the middle of their lane and maintain a good pace; by doing so the cyclist maintains a high visibility and it also helps prevent vehicles overtaking within the same lane and thereby forcing the cyclist to the left of the lane.
Bicycle parking
As 15,000 bikes are reported stolen each year in London (though the Metropolitan Police believes the actual number closer to 60,000.) secure bicycle parking facilities in London boroughs are needed.
Bicycle parking is available at many Tube, mainline, tram or DLR stations.
Cycling and London's public transport
A major disadvantage of cycling in London is that (unlike some other European cities) bicycles are not allowed on many forms of public transport. The DLR and most inner London tubes do not carry bicycles; they are generally permitted on National Rail, Circle and District Line trains outside the rush hour, and certain other tube lines in outer London. However, folding bicycles are allowed on all tube lines, trains and trams; they are also allowed on buses at the driver's discretion.
As mentioned above bicycle parking facilities are available at many public transport hubs.
[edit]Bicycle Routes around London
Here are some of the best cycling routes around London:
Brentford to Little Venice (Distance: 17.90 miles (28.8 km) / Average Duration: 3 hours)
- This car-free route takes an enjoyable journey through the centre of town via picturesque pubs, cafes and shops. This distance may appear too long for some, so why not try doing sections of it for a fun day out when with the family, or go the whole distance when in the need of a challenge.
Hampton Court to Putney Bridge (Distance: 13 miles (20 km) / Average Duration: 1 hr 35 min)
- This provides a journey of discovery through south-west London, you will find yourself peddling a pathway from Hampton Court Palace, through the pedestrianised town of Kingston north along the river via Richmond Park (a wonderful London wilderness), to the finish at Barnes right by the Wetland Trust.
Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park (Distance: 7 miles (11km) / Average Duration: 54 minutes)
- This is a circular route around the hidden wilderness of south west London, Richmond Park; it never fails but to be a completely beautiful route away from London’s bustle. The mostly car-free route encourages discovery of the parks attractions such as the Isabella Plantation and Pembroke lodge. This route can be easily combined with other cycle links inside and outside the park, such as Barnes and Putney to the East.
Tower Bridge to Woolwich (Distance: 11 miles (17.70 km) / Average Duration: 1hr 20 min)
- This provides a more historic route around south east London’s past docks and surrounding parks, commencing at Tower Bridge and weaving its way to Maritime Greenwich. The route takes you past old waterfront warehouses, some derelict others converted to apartments, whilst winding through narrow streets and old alley ways until you reach the Cutty Sark (although not to be re-opened until 2011), National Maritime Museum and for those fancying an extra challenge a climb up the hill, The Royal Observatory.
Galleries of the East End (Distance: 3.98 miles (6.4 km) / Average Duration: 3 hours, including gallery visits)
- In distance, this provides very little physical challenge, however it does provide the unique opportunity to journey through the artist capital of east London, beginning with Wharf Road Galleries, then on to Regent’s Studios, Vyner Street Studios, Mile End Art Pavilion and finishing at the Limehouse Gallery.
Thames Valley Cycleway (Distance: 99 miles (159.32 km) (40 miles with no traffic) / Average Duration: 1 to 1.5 days)
- This ride is pretty strenuous if you decide to do the whole route, but in completing it as a whole or just taking parts you will be rewarded by the escape from the city rush. The route takes you along the Thames via Richmond and Hampton Court, continuing on to Windsor and Eton. The route continues through Maidenhead and Reading reaching the breathtaking Chiltern Hills, although arduous a climb, you will be rewarded by the historic Oxford that marks the finish of your ride.
[edit]Recent growth in cycling in London
The number cycling in the city of London has grown in recent years. This is assisted by governmental encouragement of cycling and the construction of improvements to enable safe and efficient cycling. Other conditions are:
Bicycle advocacy
cost of public transport and running private cars, including the London congestion charge and petrol price increases.
safer roads for cyclists, this includes allowing cycling in bus lanes, 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) default limits, and redesign of roads to make cycling safer.
better support facilities, including parking spaces
better bicycles and gear, including waterproof bags and panniers, better lighting
concern over terrorism on public transport networks since the 2005 bombings
In 2009 London real estate agents reported that close-by bike paths and on-site bike parking facilities were influencing the decisions of prospective property buyers and tenants.
Future plans to encourage cycling
Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone set a target of a 400% increase in cycling between 2008 and 2025. On 09 February 2008 Livingstone announced an estimated £400 million of initiatives to improve and increase cycling and walking. To be co-ordinated by the TfL and London boroughs the aims include having 1 in 10 Londoners making a round trip by bike each day and five per cent of all daily trips by bike by 2025.
These initiatives include:
Barclays Cycle Hire: From summer 2010, 6,000 bicycles will be available for rental. The scheme, run by Montreal-based BIXI, will initially cover about 17 square miles (44 square kilometers) over nine central London boroughs, and will include 6,000 bikes and 400 docking stations.The docking stations will be at every 300m and mainly at key destinations and tube stations (but not at train station) in Central London. There will be a charge for hire but there will be free use to encourage the scheme. The scheme was designed based on the feasibility study produced by German Dector-Vega and
Charles Snead in Nov 2008.
Extra cycle parking : There will be thousands of new bike parking facilities at train and tube stations.
Cycle routes: New cycle routes from inner and outer London and cycle zones around urban centres will be established, the first by 2009. This will include 12 Cycle Superhighways across central London.; The firsts two pilot routes will be implemented by July 2010 and will go from Barking to Tower Hill in the East of London and from Colliers Wood to Bank in the North. The concept was designed by German Dector-Vega and will include the trial of cycle lanes through junctions (as in Denmark), convex mirrors at traffic signals to reduce the blind spot between lorries and cyclist (as used in Switzerland), new signage, and the re-design of some traffic junctions to improve safety among other things.
Bike Zones: Throughout Greater London 15 Bike Zones will be created for shoppers and children going to school around "urban town centres". These areas will have cycle priority streets, 20 mph limits and "quick, clear and simple" routes along roads, through parks and alongside waterways. This will complement TfL's school cycle parking programme which was to add 5,000 cycle parking spaces in schools by 2005.
London Mayor Boris Johnson is considering schemes to allow cyclists to turn left at red traffic lights.
Regular events
Mayor of London's Skyride, annual event launched as London Freewheel in September 2007, for which certain roads in central London are closed to motor vehicles for several hours on a Sunday
Critical Mass, which leaves the National Film Theatre on the South Bank around 6.30 on the last Friday of each month
Bike Week, an annual UK celebration of cycling with many local events in June
London to Brighton ride for charity each summer; about 30,000 cyclists take part
London to Paris rides for various charities
Dunwich Dynamo, annual midsummer overnight ride to Suffolk since 1993
London Cycling Awards: The London Cycling Campaign celebrates some of the best improvements for cyclists each year with the London Cycling Awards. 2008 winners included cycle parking at Frampton Park Estate in Hackney and at Shadwell DLR station; Kingston Council and Metropolitan Police for the Recycling Bikes Back Into The Community scheme; Newham University Hospital NHS Trust for the Well at Work project; STA Bikes and Hackney Council for Family Cycle Clubs; and Jenny Jones for services to cycling.
See also
(source:wikipedia)
