Bikes and London taxis

[Tiggertoo]

Anyone have any experience with getting bikes onto London taxis?
Difficulty with the driver?
Are the taxis wide enough to take a bike?
Last time I was in London the taxi drivers - 2 of them anyway - were grumpy until the end of the ride when I gave them a sizeable tip, then they were all light and happiness.
My current thought is to take a taxi from Heathrow to Paddington after having the bike unpacked at Heathrow, then again from Kings Cross to Paddington at the end.
Thanks.

[Jdsk]

Is it possible to get a bike in the back of a standard london taxi?

It's physically possible, yes - I've done it a couple of times in Glasgow which has the same black cabs. It depends on the driver, though - I was lucky in that my bike was both clean and dry. It was a long time ago, and I was a young female 'in distress' (the first time, a wrecked tyre and forgotten repair kit, and the second time failed lights at night).

Maybe taking with you a large sheet of plastic to protect the interior of the taxi would help your case?

viewtopic.php?p=725013#p725013

Jonathan

[simonhill]

I've not used it, but the Heathrow Express train does that route. From what I've read here, it takes bikes. It's a favourite of MRSHJ.

Cheaper and quicker than a taxi.

[Jdsk]

I've not used it, but the Heathrow Express train does that route. From what I've read here, it takes bikes. It's a favourite of MRSHJ.

Cheaper and quicker than a taxi.

I'd use that. And I'd cycle from Kings Cross to Paddington.

Jonathan

[Tiggertoo]

My current plan is to take the bike box to Runwaycycling - suggested up thread somewhere by Mrs.HJ - to have it unpacked after landing and after going through immigration and customs.
They say use a taxi to get to their place from Terminal 2 - or a bus? - so I thought maybe if I used a taxi to get to their place, I would then also use a taxi to go to Paddington from their shop instead of making my way to the Paddington Express (which I have used before and I agree it is great) but I still have to get from their shop to the Express line. I'm just trying to make it all a bit easier.
Anyway, back to the original ?, anyone have any recent experience with taking a bike onto a London taxi?

[MrsHJ]

I think the Elizabeth line may work too but I’m waiting for someone else to try that first- it opened after I went to Italy and next trip is by ferry so probably get to try it when I’m next in London and can check logistics. Get a discount ticket for the Heathrow express, it’s around £20 and takes 15 mins,

I haven’t used runway cycling so interested in your experiences.

No on the London taxi, yes on lots of foreign ones. They usually whistle up the guy with the bigger van for the bike. Check the price first- I think it’s a bit eye watering.

[simonhill]

I've searched a bit (as I'm sure you have) and can't find the internal dimensions of a London cab. Wheel to wheel width is 1420, so it's probably about that inside. Enough to get a bike with wheel turned.

They do take wheelchairs, so that's a start, but it will be up to the driver. Also possible health and safety issue of having it loose in back with you. As said, they may just point you to a larger (and more expensive) vehicle.

You say you want an easy life, why then are you taking your boxed bike out of airport for assembly? I am the laziest cyclist here, often not touching my bike on a 2 month tour, but I always pack and unpack it.

It is pretty straightforward and something you can easily practice at home. Half an hour in baggage hall and then you can load all your gear on the bike and head for the train.

You look like your planning a nightmare rather than a stress free way.

[Tiggertoo]

I've not used it, but the Heathrow Express train does that route. From what I've read here, it takes bikes. It's a favourite of MRSHJ.

Cheaper and quicker than a taxi.

I'd use that. And I'd cycle from Kings Cross to Paddington.

Jonathan

Would you cycle along the Euston/Marylebone Roads from Kings Cross? I will actually be staying near Lancaster Gate, so from Marylebone I'd go down Sussex Gardens. This would be in the evening after 6. Do you think this is a safe route? I'd imagine there will be lots of traffic at that time.

[Jdsk]

And I'd cycle from Kings Cross to Paddington.

Would you cycle along the Euston/Marylebone Roads from Kings Cross? I will actually be staying near Lancaster Gate, so from Marylebone I'd go down Sussex Gardens. This would be in the evening after 6. Do you think this is a safe route? I'd imagine there will be lots of traffic at that time.

Definitely not the Euston/ Marylebone Road. The Cycleway that goes west from Tavistock Place.

Jonathan

[Tiggertoo]

By 'Cycleway' do you mean there is a route along the streets that is marked as a 'cycleway'?

[Jdsk]

London Cycleways:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes ... /cycleways

Jonathan

[mjr]

By 'Cycleway' do you mean there is a route along the streets that is marked as a 'cycleway'?

Yes, in Westminster, mostly just paint and signs on quieter roads. In Camden, it's mostly a proper cycleway with posts or kerbs between it and the carriageway.

My route (westbound: click reverse for eastbound) https://cycle.travel/map/journey/44920

[Tiggertoo]

Okay, great! It seems the fast route is only about 3 1/2 miles so it'll be an interesting experience. Thanks.

[Tiggertoo]

London Cycleways:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes ... /cycleways

Jonathan

Okay, great! It seems the fast route is only about 3 1/2 miles so it'll be an interesting experience. Thanks.

[Tiggertoo]

By 'Cycleway' do you mean there is a route along the streets that is marked as a 'cycleway'?

Yes, in Westminster, mostly just paint and signs on quieter roads. In Camden, it's mostly a proper cycleway with posts or kerbs between it and the carriageway.

My route (westbound: click reverse for eastbound) https://cycle.travel/map/journey/44920

Thanks. So all roads are marked which makes it easy.