© Britta Jaschinski
Cycling never fails to generate strong opinions: we've got the pros and cons of two-wheeled London from battling Time Out editors, highlights from 30 years of readers' letters as well as favourite routes, fitness tips, buying guides and how to stay alive on the capital's roads
© Britta Jaschinski
Great London bike rides
Six inspirational routes to take you around the City at night, across the bridges of the Thames and from east to west London by day.
London cycling guide
From when to ride on the pavement to where to park your bike, Time Out's
intrepid team of pedal-pushers tackle the many issues facing the capital's cyclists.
The great London cycling debate
It's galvanised the city, now the pro/con bike back-and-forth has driven an editorial fissure down the Time Out office. Derek Adams and Michael Hodges try and adopt the moral high ground on a bit of London pavement.
Feature continues
London’s secret cycle routes
Saddle up and discover hidden nature reserves, eccentric pubs and the history of ice cream with our canalside excursions.
Family-friendly bike rides
A couple of leisurely routes in west and east London to remind you what's great about cycling in London.
City cyclists’ survival guide
Reap the rewards of cycling without rewarding the Reaper in our comprehensive guide to getting kitted out, keeping your cool and, most importantly, staying safe on London's roads.
What Time Out readers have said
If
there's one topic guaranteed to make Time Out's readers more articulate
than 18 metres of blood-coloured Mercedes bendy bus, it's biking. Here
are some postbag highlights from the last 30 years.
How to choose a bike
Trainspotters and bus fanciers get the bad press, but is any form of transport so prey to geeky lore as cycling? No! Sort the salient info from the twit jargon with our guide to getting some wheels.
Where to buy a bike in London
Just nosing ahead of guitar shops in the race to create the capital's most saddo-haunted retail environment, London's bike shops come in all shapes, sizes and, er, levels of helpfulness. Here are some good 'uns.
Cycle fitness
Wherever you stand on the capital cycling debate, you can't deny that, as an activity, it's going to do you some good. Here are eight top bike fitness tips.
Meet London’s cyclists
BMX bandits, two-wheel activists and Tofu, 'officially the
fastest courier in London'. I think we can all picture that.
Cyclists v motorists
The three-sided conflict on London‘s streets between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Is it time for a truce?
Two-wheeled fascism
Just when you thought it was all reasoned debate and helpful practical information, Time Out's Michael Hodges gets out a big ladle and proceeds to stir up the capital's cycling massive and their detractors.
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23 comments
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UrbanCycleChic.com : bike fashion, velo vogue and bike porn. Bespoke recycled bike advocacy and boutique. Fix it, bling it, flaunt it - join the catwalk on wheels. Fixed, Dutch, road or dumpster? It's just an everyday way of getting around your urban playground, in everyday clothes. Beat the traffic, beat the credit crunch and be inspired.
Urban Cycle Chic : bike fashion, velo vogue and bike porn. Bespoke recycled bike advocacy and boutique. Fix it, bling it, flaunt it - join the catwalk on wheels. Fixed, Dutch, road or dumpster? It's just an everyday way of getting around your urban playground, in everyday clothes. Beat the traffic, beat the credit crunch and be inspired.
'One cyclist is killed on average every day of the week in London.'
Cobblers.
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/government-sta tistics-show-drop-in-british-cycling-fatalities--17883
As a cycling commuter who plays by the rules, waits at stop signs and abide by the Highway Code I loathe taxi drivers with a passion. Rude, provocative and downright dangerous, in my experience they are the single biggest threat to law abiding cyclists on the road. In a six miles journey home I have had three separate near misses all because of arrogant taxi drivers who ignore hand signals, force they past, drive dangerously close and turn left without indicating.
One cyclist is killed on average every day of the week in London. It's time responsible cyclists fought back. Let's start a campaign to claim the road by reminding the taxi drivers that it doesn't belong to them. It belongs to all of us. We need fewer cars and more bicycles. Something has to be done to make our roads safer and Cyclists must act to make our voices heard.
I hate cyclists who ride their bikes on pavements. They are a menace and a danger to pedestrians.
I am convinced that those who wear tight Lycra it restricts the flow of blood to their brains.
aa
There's nothing quite like being ridden around town
London is a superb city for cycling in, particularly compared to e.g 5 years ago On a busy road in rush hour - use the nice empty bus lane. Don't like busy roads - go for a meander around some of the quieter ones then.
Scared of motorised vehciles mowing you down cause they can't see you - wear hi vis!
Issues with pedestrains.....no need to be on the pavement!!
The truth is out there..
http://www.londonfgss.com/thread4996.html#post148903
Coming from the Netherlands it feels only normal to use your bicycle to get anywhere you want. The problem is most people on the road ( read pedestrians, cars, busses and other cyclist) are not used to cyclists. But to every week it feels like more and more people have discovered how great bikes are!!
So I am very positive about a more bike minded London. I think cyclist are here to stay and will become a bigger part of London traffic. Also if there were more cycle paths and indications that cyclist are on the road pedestrians will keep a better eye out for them. At the moment the bendy busses are my biggest annoyance as they block any passage for cyclist or squeeze you into other cars. Just horrible...
For me London is double deckers and who knows perhaps also cyclist in the future...
Grumpy Stumpy
The choice is:
stay in your car, sit on your lardy arse, and have a coronary.
or, quit moaning, leave your car behind and get on your bike - you'll feel much better for it!
- having to stop at pedestrian crossings!
this is why i HATE cyclists
keyword, pedestrian, another keyword for you = STOP
As a female cyclist I ABSOLUTELY LOVE cycling in London - it's the best way to travel. I love:
- the wind in my hair
- flying past streams of static traffic
- smooth roads
- finding cool cycling tips and inspiration from London Cycle Chic www.cyclechic.co.uk
- Bobbin Bicycles in Clerkenwell - vintage-style Dutch bikes www.bobbinbicycles.com
- doing a whole week's grocery shopping and taking it home in my panniers
- my bike, Mabel
I hate:
- cycling in drizzly rain and getting damp
- how often the only place to lock your bike is round a dark corner
- having to stop at pedestrian crossings!
- pedestrians who take no notice when I ring my bell
- it's a cliche, but white van drivers.
Love:
- Being in control of my journey to work
- Staying fit
- Not paying ridiculous amounts for public transport
- Not being treated like cattle
- Stopping off in the park on the way home on a summer's day for an ice cream
- Attention from wearing lycra (although not always good)
- Not contributing to greenhouse effect
- Polite black-cab drivers
- Time Out's unbiased cycling features
Hate:
- Any form of precipitation
- Head winds
- Drivers who swear at you for slowing them down for 5 seconds
- Drivers deliberately parked in the cycles only box at traffic lights
- Any 4x4
- Any mini-cab
- Any Merecedes driver
- Any BMW driver
- Cyclists who go through red lights
- Cyclists who don't signal
- Poor facilities for cyclists where I work