Who on the forum commutes into London by bike?

[MojoGuzzi]

Hi All. Just wanted to hear from fellow members who commute into London. I'm interested to find out as I have a job interview on wednesday in the WC1 area. And I'd like to understand the Pro's and Con's. I'm currently living in Newbury, so I either FGW it in to Paddington :sick: , Or maybe do a park and ride to Hatton Cross and Train the remainder :dry: Or....Bite the bullet and do the whole journey- Congestion charge and all. :woohoo: What say ye?

[Emf#53]

I used to live in Reading and commute into Whitehall on the bike - usually took about an hour - pretty much what it would take on the train / tube.

If you're going to 'make progress' expect to be overtaking cars for most of the journey - especially when you get towards the end of the M4.

And there's no congestion charge for bikes - yet !! I think Boris was on about bringing one in in about 2020 for bikes older than 2006 ish. Although depending on where you're planning to park the bike you might find you get charged - some bike bays are free. Some aren't. No idea what the cost is as I had a car park at work so it never concerned me.

[AndyB]

I don't do that trip myself but I know people who commute from Bath and inward including Newbury on bikes and their general opinion is that it's not for the faint hearted but do the whole lot right into the city.

The trains are ok if you know you'll be doing it regularly and either pay for a season ticket or book day tickets well in advance using trainline.com or similar but by Newbury they'll be getting a bit rammed so not ideal.

Parking outside London is a bit pointless because you'll be picking up public transport while carrying bike kit unless you've got panniers you feel safe to leave it in and that's just hard work.

Have you considered renting a room closer to work and commuting from there then going home Friday afternoon? It sounds crap but it'll cut down on your hours, save wear on the bike and you might just about break even compared to the commuting costs.

[sidestand]

Commuter Motorcycle Club (thumbs)

font of all knowledge for London commuting -

Although small, it's a lively place to be B)

http://dashack.co.uk/go/index.php

[MarkN]

I commute into various TV studios in and around London, mainly Sky Studios in Isleworth from Ferndown in Dorset. It's about 100 miles each way. Very easy ride and made better by being on a bike on the motorway even at busy times. On a Friday evening when the traffic is really bad, I can do the run in about an hour and three quarters. Parking is never a problem with a bike as most studios let me into their car parks. This wouldn't happen with a car.
Good luck with your interview.

[P4ulie]

All or nothing mate (thumbs)

I commute 70 miles a day through London & saves me time as well as money. Some days if I wasn't a 4 mile walk to the nearest station I wouldn't be quite so keen though

Its busy, stressful & cold but then so is biking :laugh:

I bought my first bike on the basis it was the same cost as a years travelcard. Never looked back

No congestion charge but if you're parking in a motorcycle bay in Westminster it will cost you....was £1 last time I did. Good idea if riding to research bays in advance & have a back up. They can get busy

Best of luck with your interview (thumbs)

[Freeloadeur]

I live in London, and ride all round the place. Parking is easy usually although varies from borough to borough, Westminster charge for instance, £1 per day for on street, but a lot of off street NCP type don't charge, you just ride round the barrier.

Parking For Bikes, has become one of my best friends http://www.parkingforbikes.com/. Make sure you've got a good lock and chain and aim for parking with ground anchors or something to lock onto, a disc lock will be no discouragement to the thieves who scout on bikes, call up a van, and literally just throw bikes in the back, disc locks, alarms and all.

A fair number of bus lanes allow bikes in them, I seem to remember it's all red routes, but again it varies from borough to borough, but keep an eye out for the signs and enjoy the feeling of undertaking at 30.

It's just London though, not Delhi or Hanoi, we're adventure bikers aren't we?

[P4ulie]

What I love so much about 'adventure biking' (although I haven't got as far as Hanoi or Dehli yet) doing 500 miles a week commuting, anywhere is pure enjoyment.
I love riding.....even through London (thumbs)

[Wapping]

I live in central London and work in the City.

Commuting by motorcycle is a vile experience, the novelty of which pretty soon wears off. In short, it becomes a chore no better than catching a train. Neither is it that quick once you have been truthful with yourself and added in the time taken to drag your bike out, tog yourself up, ride in, park, lock the bike up (many do not bother or think that locking a bike to itself with a disk lock or chain through the back wheel will stop anyone), de-tog yourself, do a day's work, tog yourself up, ride home, drag the bike back in, lock it up, go in, de-tog (again) and eat your supper.

Me? I do what any sensible person does. I walk to work.

[Neil M]

Hi, I've been riding from Epsom Downs to Paddington since 2009. 19 miles each way. It generally takes between 45 mins to an hour depending on traffic. There is always a delay somewhere along the way but it's still half the time it takes me by train/tube and a damn sight cheaper. I'd rather go on my bike even through the worst of the weather, especially as that's when public transport is most likely to let you down. On the right kind of bike wearing decent gear it's the best way to travel for me (thumbs)