Survey: Commuting in London

[Pat_cycle]

Hi Everyone,

As a bit of interest I am interested in hearing views on those who commute around London by bicycle vis a vis treatment by motorists.

On a scale of 0-10

0 = commuting by bicycle in London is a horrendous, motorists extremely discurteous, aggressive or completely ignore the existance of cycle (experience akin to Delhi or Bangkok)

10 = commuting by bicycle in London is an enjoyable experience, motorists very considerate, always give the right of way (experience akin to Amsterdam or Copenhagen)

Please let me know your rating, and if possible where you commute in London, distances travelled, etc.

Thanks, Pat O

[Gary]

Hello Pat, commute in London 7 miles everyday, live in London, and do everything via bike in London. don't own a car. My score 7

[John S]

Commute: 22 miles a day, 3-4 days a week.

I'd give 'em 5.

[troywinters]

2
oops sorry misread the title thought it said lincoln

[Jeremy Parker]

I'm retired now, and now usually ride in the middle of the day rather than the rush hour.

I would say that the rush hour is easier. The drivers know the route better, and spot anything unusual. If you are a regurlar, they probably know you too. There are fewer of White van man around, and fewer people parking and unparking as they visit the shops.

Botom line: 7 in the rush hour, 6 other weekday daytime

Jeremy Parker

[markhr]

commute in London 20 miles everyday, live in London, and do everything via bike in London. don't own a car. My score 7 for mon - fri 7am - 7pm and sunday before 12pm. However this drops to 5 all other times due to drivers and pedestrians who are not used to central London traffic speed/volume.

[Pedalling Pete]

I agree that it depends on times and locations. When I did 25 miles on shifts, the suburbs outside rush hours were the most dangerous. Nearer central London, but excluding the West-end, and in rush hour (when isn't it?) the drivers were the "Pros" and the pedestrians the amateurs!

[hb43]

Commute 26 miles a day , 3 times a week, for the past five years, Bromley to West End. Overall Score 7 - except for Audi TT drivers who are Sub Zero.

Is it just me or does everyone prejudge cars by their make i.e Taxi will always back down, Audi TT road idiots, RR think they own the road, Bendy buses just don't see you etc

[Elucasr]

I live near Cambridge, its bad enough. I avoid the Great Wen like the plague, so if Cambridge is 3 then the Great wen would rate -10

[Tim Cox]

A lot depends on where you go and the way you go there. When I used the Thames Towpath or Richmond Park then I would score as high as 8, other times around 5.

[Jess57]

I do 20 miles a day Wimbledon-westminster and, while I've had a few close shaves and a few minor accidents over the last few years, I'd have to say cycling in London is not the suicide bid many people think it is. Beats the tube anyday!

For every Audi TT driver and bendy bus there are loads of competent and considerate car drivers. I would say 6 or 7.

Beats the tube anyday!

[gar]

Used to do two or three times a week
in to the West end from king's Cross
or closer. There are places where cycling is excellent... mainly using royal parks and
south bank. Only got near traffic in Parliament Square

Bad 2

[Pilotlight]

Live nowhere near London, up above Newcastle Upon Tyne actually. So can't help you there.

But. I have been quite amazed at Live BBC News reports in the mornings and the number of cyclists travelling to work.

You know the type, reporter standing outside the House of Commons. The number of cyclists passing by is quite amazing. I counted (sad I know) 17 cyclists in a 1 minute+ news update.

Has this always been the case or has the good weather brought them out, or is this a direct result of the conjestion charges?
Probably a bit of both.

The other question I would like to know is how many are members of the CTC?? Are they aware of the CTC? I always find it strange that when public debate on transport and road use is on the TV, every pressure group and organisation are represented, but the CTC. Does the sheer name with Touring Club, put people off?? or give the wrong impression of the organisation?? At a time when the CTC are developing the charitable arm, I hope that someone is considering some of these points.


Sorry Pat, ranting a bit.

[ChrisO]

Until a few weeks ago I was just cycling to my local tube and I would have given a score of maybe 3 or 4. Almost everyday on a short trip some car would pull out in front or overtake then turn left.

Since starting to cycle a longer distance (about 25 miles a day, Tooting to Camden) I have to say that I can see why drivers find cyclists so annoying. Many riders really are very rude and inconsiderate to other cyclists, let alone to cars.

I can be waiting at the front of a set of lights and have four, five, six riders come past and stop in front of me. As I'm reasonably fast I then have to overtake them or wait behind as they cut off my line.

And the number of people who cycle past and through red lights is appalling. No wonder motorists resent them - I feel the same way. My view is that I will obey the rules and in return I expect to enjoy its rights. If cyclists don't want responsibility then they can't expect much consideration.

So my score now, would still be drivers 4 but cyclists get the same score of 4, admittedly for being annoying rather than life-threatening.

[gar]

The type of cyclists you refer to is either emulating the West end messengers or IS a West End messenger. London Cycling Campaign LCC is quite left wing politically and makes CTC seem very genteel by comparison, doesn't it?

I always took different roads from such hooligans, telling myself that they had work to do which required such manners.

I would have to think very hard indeed before doing such a journey from T to C, round the side of the city, to avoid getting involved in heavy
traffic with such cyclists.I can visualise the roads now. Avoiding the rush hour might be ok.

g