Riding in London

[Bikerjim]

Ok im now commuting down to London on a daily basis

Im ususaly a good rider and usualy a patent rider. Ive even got a IAM badge

Having seen the way people ride in london ive started to do it myself I seem to be going through gaps in moving traffic on the M11 now.

I know its not big or clever and its only a matter of time before the worst happens or Mr plod gives me a nice ticket

Any advice regarding riding in London

Jim

 

[NLC]

Have you thought about rigging something similar up? Seriously it's everyman for himself and it is 100% about being offensive. The IAM stuff is good but you can through that out when driving in London.

 

[flatdog]

Get hivizzed to the max, ride a white bike /white lid and watch the traffic part in front of you.

 

[Dahoum]

Any advice regarding riding in London

Jim

Yes, have fun.

Seriously its one of the most immersive enjoyable riding experiences on a bike. i love my daily commute. I regularly go for a ride through Hammersmith, Shepherds Bush, Fulham, Earls Court and along the Thames - just for a laugh

You ride like everyone (and I mean everyone) is out to get you and keeping one step ahead of the madness - great!

 

[Commuter]

Ok im now commuting down to London on a daily basis

Im ususaly a good rider and usualy a patent rider. Ive even got a IAM badge

Having seen the way people ride in london ive started to do it myself I seem to be going through gaps in moving traffic on the M11 now.

I know its not big or clever and its only a matter of time before the worst happens or Mr plod gives me a nice ticket

Any advice regarding riding in London

Jim

Jim, Rode from Bedford to Hyde Park Corner for 5 years. One big off in that time on the M1 due to an incident surrounding another accident. Filtering, do it at your speed, don't get sucked into someone running the line in front and you following, sometimes the first guy gets through the knob in the cage could be pissed off with number 2 or 3 coming through.

Riding in London was the best part, using bus lanes carefully and the best way really enjoy it is talk to yourself as you are heading down the road, reading the road ahead, hazards and issues you see. Make sure you check your lifesavers twice.........Try to make as much eye contact as possible and have all the hiviz you can get on.

Overall a great thing to do with your morning. Get some decent waterproofs and if it looks like snow, take the train. I rode home one night on ice and snow, 5 hours and I needed a bottle of whisky at the end of that one.

Be safe. Remember trying to push to hard for minutes would be solved with 5 minutes earlier out of bed or office.

Best of luck

 

[Wapping]

ive started to do it myself I seem to be going through gaps in moving traffic on the M11 now.

I know its not big or clever and its only a matter of time before the worst happens or Mr plod gives me a nice ticket

Any advice regarding riding in London

If you feel you shouldn't do it, or are concerned for your bodily and spiritual health.... and the state of your licence / contents of your wallet.... Then maybe don't do what you seem to be now doing.

Or

Maybe just man-up and get on with it.

Report back at six monthly intervals as to whether either of the above was good advice to follow.

PS Maybe the best advice is to have a little bit of 'What if' built into the back of your head. Any motorcycle will do 0 to 60 or more in short order. Slowing (or reconsidering) if the 'What if' light goes from green to amber may well stop it turning to bright red.... or worse, flashing blue....... and not greatly reduce the time of your commute to the Olympic site. A roadside chat with plod will take about 20 minutes. Picking yourself and your bike up, may take somewhere between five minutes and all day......... or forever.

The old mantra: INFORMATION (taking it in* and using it effectively).... dictating Position, Speed, Gear holds just as good in London as it does in the Fenns of East Anglia or the Alps..... In a bad or less than optimal position or unsure? Slow your speed.... In a great position and very happy? Speed up. Season to taste.



*Eyes, ears and nose.... which sounds a lot like the recipe for a nasty cheap sausage

 

[NLC]

This guy has the right idea. A complete protection bubble. Good use of L plate and reflective stripes. Projects the image I am one bad ass dude.

 

[STUBBS]

even though your iam do a bike safe course in london (ace cafe) and talk to the instructors that ride in london for a living

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Do not try chasing the despatch riders who are on ratty GT550's and look about 50 years old. They have been doing this for a long time and you will not believe the gaps they can get through or the speed they do it at.

Ride within you're own comfort zone, don't let anyone else pull you in. If bikes want to get past, pull in and let them, don't get suckered into going faster.

Over time, your comfort zone will expand and you'll find your in-traffic riding skills improving markedly. I despatched for a while and some of those skills stayed with me, though I wouldn't chase despatchers these days.

I love riding in London, it's totally immersive and requires you to be at the top of your game to do it well, I find it challenging and enjoyable to push myself to ride safely and well in that environment.

 

[JJ_yellow]

60k commuting in London over 14 years: ALWAYS cover your brake lever, ALWAYS expect pedestrians to appear from between stationary vehicles.

I find London riding fun: there is an intellectual challenge to getting through the traffic and it always beats taking the car or underground no matter what the weather (except snow). It is reasonably safe as speeds are low so if you take it easy and watch out for occasional maniacs you should be fine.

Cheers

J