I ride a lot in and around London and it's definitely better than the Tube. The only real risk in riding there is not taxis, buses etc but other cyclists with no awareness of other riders, especially those on e-bikes! Ride safe and enjoy.
Thanks for sharing Leslie! Yes, there was a few e-bike nutters on my ride so I can understand what you mean, but I imagine it gets worse when it’s busy!
@@onionsyes Yes I am a cyclist, ride about 8,000 miles every year in different cities and countries as well as a regular club rider in a medium to fast peloton but I am very much aware of what is going on all around me and considerate of other road and path users which is sometimes not the case in London (and in Paris too for that matter). I have had so many fast close passes without warning by cyclists with headphones on and no idea of the risks they are creating. Hence my comment.
I'd pick getting hit by a person cycling any day over the van driver that hit me square on after he jumped the lights. Although in nearly 30 years cycling in central and east London I've not had any problems with others cycling, I've been deliberately driven at more times than I care to remember and seen the results of dangerous driving countless times. Taxi drivers are among the worst, they overtake you then immediately pull-in, running a camera on my bike at least means they get license points now.
@@ontheroadagain731I'm been knocked of my bike 3 times in London, twice by other cyclists and once my a moped. Though to be honest had a close call with a car once. Ride safe 👍
Nice advert for Komoot. Definitely the way to find the quieter routes round London and beyond. You Started in Stratford, which is a lot niceer to cycle in than when I started 30 years ago. In those days it was 'safer' to use the Bow Church flyover than risk the roundabout underneath!
As a London cyclist myself it's "on the whole" very good. There's a LOT of really good cycle infrastructure around. Unfortunately when you're not in the main hub of the city and in the suburbs then "infrastructure" consists of a thin paint line that's barely wider than than the drains! But on the most part it's decent especially in the centre of London. I do need to address some of the comments below. Saying "eBike nutters" is like saying "all red cars are dangerous drivers" I am an eBike cyclist. It's legal, restricted to 15.5 mph and no more dangerous than other bikes. I have lights, I dress like a fluorescent psychedelic lemon, complete with polystyrene egg box on the head ;) I stop at lights, give way to pedestrians and let cars pass if i'm holding them up. There's a few cyclists on unrestricted ebikes (more like mopeds really) that seem to disregard traffic lights and I hate to say it a few MAMILS that do the same too. But I've found the majority of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers decent and considerate. Like most things there's a few in every group that spoil it for the others. So if you're "Looking out for eBikes" give me a wave as you pass me. (and no, not as I pass you!) and I'll wave back ;) On the whole a cracking video, nice to see it not showing London in a bad light. I love cycling around and when there's good infrastructure around it's an absolute joy,, when you're jockeying for position on a narrow road with some impatient truck driver behind you trying to pass between you and the pedestrian island? not so much. Thankfully those moments are few and far between. Look forward to seeing more of your london cycling vids.
I regularly commute by motorcycle and have absolutely no issue with cyclists taking a slightly more pragmatic view of red lights - there are far too many nonsensical traffic lights or ones with awful timings.
Allowing for pedestrians and giving way to faster traffic if you are holding them up? Blimey! (I wouldn’t reveal your address to the rest of the Lycra army mate, or they’ll probably come round and nail a dead cat to your front door!) 😂🤣
I love cycling around London, been doing it most of my life never really had any problems apart from the odd puncher, started cycling in the early 70's well before the current cycling lanes, it just keeps on getting better, I don't own a car and occasionally use public transport, because of my age and other health issues I've moved over to an Ebike which is one of the best moves I've made.
@@grantritchie next time you're in London I'd be happy to show you some quality local routes. A few vids of them on my channel if you want to have a nose
I’ve done London. I hate roundabouts. The countryside is marvelous once I got out of the city. Dover to Rye was a great ride. London to Brighton Beach was another fave. Hyde Park was great. Richmond Park was pure fun being in an area where pros workout. Didn’t see any but had fun
That was some impressive cycling there with that load on your back and wielding a camera, averaging 15mph through all those stops. I notice you have a high cadence. What is it and how do you maintain it? Is it true that a high cadence is more efficient?
Hah appreciate that! I think cadence is just something you develop over time, indoor training helps I think with developing a natural cadence. Gearing also makes a difference!
Having cycled all over London during my many and frequent visits, I think the cycling facilities in terms of segregated lanes, Cycle Super Highway etc are excellent. I’ve always felt safe, even during busy weekdays. I’m in agreement with you that the biggest liability to the London cyclist is.. the London cyclist. Some of them are just pure kamikaze , inviting carnage .
Agree the infrastructure is great, the locals complain a lot, but it’s a question of what you’re accustomed to I suppose. I’ve never seen any dangerous cycling or cyclists in London, everyone is quite well behaved in my experience.
I've been cycle commuting in to central London for almost 30 years, the cycleways have helped a lot with the increase in motor traffic but taxi drivers will still cut you up or u-turn into you on a side road. Thankfully LTNs have made a lot of back streets much slower and safer. Traffic lights aren't a problem when you are just getting from A to B, London has way more cyclists than "club" cyclists, slow it down.
This is not remotely like Amsterdam. Children and the elderly would never cycle on those roads. There's nothing like enough segregation, you are riding a high speed bike in crouched position with low handlebars instead of Dutch sit up straight design, and you have to wear helmet and special clothing. There needs to be much more traffic restriction in London.
I agree that London still has a long way to go, but as someone that lives here (not sure if you do or don't but I still agree you none the less) I do think that people in London are picking up cycling surprisingly fast considering how comparatively barren the infrastructure is also even though I dont think its the best solution, the advent of quiet ways into the cities cycling routes are really helpful and a good way of integrating cycling into the city with minimal infrastructure construction
@@user-gw3hq4mb7myeah I was going to also say the guy obviously picked a direct route, there are so many quiet streets designed to be quiet using LTNs. They don't quite fit together into an obvious unified network due to this having to be project managed and funded by various councils, e.g Chelsea and Kensington right at the heart have basically severed the city in two North of the river due to their stubborn pro car stance. Amsterdam is a good aspiration but its unfair to compare the current state with Amsterdam as London is comparatively huge and had built (then abandoning the rest of the masterplan) a large urban highway programme in the 1970s when Amsterdam realised their much smaller highway programme was ugly and went for a pro pedestrian and cycling instead, so a much smaller city having a two decade head-start and an easier starting position. The 1970s highway infrastructure that was built dumps far too many vehicles into inner London, while the mainly historical street pattern can't handle complete segregation for all current levels of traffic let alone future population increases. The key is to reduce the number vehicles, yet it has been allowed to increase under the last two mayors due to the gig private hire economy and e-commerce delivery vehicles.
hi its not obvious but... at 3 minutes 23 you enter pavement widening for covid. the cyclist is supposed to take primary position on the carriageways where there shouldn't be much traffic but on a weekday the pavements are heaving. hopefully the pavement widening will get permanent materials in due course.
I can honestly say that cycling is so much better than using the underground and amongst issues we face everyday are other cyclists, rickshaw riders and those pesky pedestrians who don't bother looking when they cross the road. Most of my issues seem to involve tourists on the Embankment (ruclips.net/video/-pQAjA7aV_c/видео.html) and I have had many a close shave cycling London and am now recording them to show how cycling is not always for the faint hearted. Still, feeling the wind or rain on your face is so much better than being crammed face to armpit in a hot underground carriage.
I think because the underground has smaller carriages and usually is more crowded than the overground with the larger carriages. Overground is a bit more peaceful and slower and you see the city. But the underground as a service is better only because it is very efficient.
I ride a lot in and around London and it's definitely better than the Tube. The only real risk in riding there is not taxis, buses etc but other cyclists with no awareness of other riders, especially those on e-bikes! Ride safe and enjoy.
Thanks for sharing Leslie! Yes, there was a few e-bike nutters on my ride so I can understand what you mean, but I imagine it gets worse when it’s busy!
absurd to say the danger to cyclists in London is cyclists. Apparently you actually are a cyclist too...
@@onionsyes Yes I am a cyclist, ride about 8,000 miles every year in different cities and countries as well as a regular club rider in a medium to fast peloton but I am very much aware of what is going on all around me and considerate of other road and path users which is sometimes not the case in London (and in Paris too for that matter). I have had so many fast close passes without warning by cyclists with headphones on and no idea of the risks they are creating. Hence my comment.
I'd pick getting hit by a person cycling any day over the van driver that hit me square on after he jumped the lights. Although in nearly 30 years cycling in central and east London I've not had any problems with others cycling, I've been deliberately driven at more times than I care to remember and seen the results of dangerous driving countless times. Taxi drivers are among the worst, they overtake you then immediately pull-in, running a camera on my bike at least means they get license points now.
@@ontheroadagain731I'm been knocked of my bike 3 times in London, twice by other cyclists and once my a moped. Though to be honest had a close call with a car once. Ride safe 👍
Nice advert for Komoot. Definitely the way to find the quieter routes round London and beyond. You Started in Stratford, which is a lot niceer to cycle in than when I started 30 years ago. In those days it was 'safer' to use the Bow Church flyover than risk the roundabout underneath!
As a London cyclist myself it's "on the whole" very good. There's a LOT of really good cycle infrastructure around. Unfortunately when you're not in the main hub of the city and in the suburbs then "infrastructure" consists of a thin paint line that's barely wider than than the drains! But on the most part it's decent especially in the centre of London.
I do need to address some of the comments below. Saying "eBike nutters" is like saying "all red cars are dangerous drivers" I am an eBike cyclist. It's legal, restricted to 15.5 mph and no more dangerous than other bikes. I have lights, I dress like a fluorescent psychedelic lemon, complete with polystyrene egg box on the head ;) I stop at lights, give way to pedestrians and let cars pass if i'm holding them up. There's a few cyclists on unrestricted ebikes (more like mopeds really) that seem to disregard traffic lights and I hate to say it a few MAMILS that do the same too. But I've found the majority of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers decent and considerate. Like most things there's a few in every group that spoil it for the others.
So if you're "Looking out for eBikes" give me a wave as you pass me. (and no, not as I pass you!) and I'll wave back ;)
On the whole a cracking video, nice to see it not showing London in a bad light. I love cycling around and when there's good infrastructure around it's an absolute joy,, when you're jockeying for position on a narrow road with some impatient truck driver behind you trying to pass between you and the pedestrian island? not so much. Thankfully those moments are few and far between.
Look forward to seeing more of your london cycling vids.
I regularly commute by motorcycle and have absolutely no issue with cyclists taking a slightly more pragmatic view of red lights - there are far too many nonsensical traffic lights or ones with awful timings.
Mamils?
@@philtucker1224 Middle Aged Men In Lycra XD
@@PeteLittle1970 oh that’s fabulous.
Allowing for pedestrians and giving way to faster traffic if you are holding them up? Blimey! (I wouldn’t reveal your address to the rest of the Lycra army mate, or they’ll probably come round and nail a dead cat to your front door!) 😂🤣
I have just bought a bicycle yesterday to commute in London, thx for the sharing.
Hi Hk! A year has gone by since you got your bike so I’m just checking to see if you’re still alive buddy? 🤔
I love cycling around London, been doing it most of my life never really had any problems apart from the odd puncher, started cycling in the early 70's well before the current cycling lanes, it just keeps on getting better, I don't own a car and occasionally use public transport, because of my age and other health issues I've moved over to an Ebike which is one of the best moves I've made.
Puncture
@@philtucker1224 I'll learn to spell one day 😁
It’s PUNCTURE if that helps 😂
@@stableianF1oracle I know 😁 I could edit the comment but that'll take the fun out of the spelling mistake 😂
@@adam-g7crq I did laugh at the thought of people going round punching cyclists
Infrastructure here is on the whole pretty good! Enjoying these vids
Agreed! Thanks mate 👌🏻
@@grantritchie next time you're in London I'd be happy to show you some quality local routes. A few vids of them on my channel if you want to have a nose
I’ve done London. I hate roundabouts. The countryside is marvelous once I got out of the city. Dover to Rye was a great ride. London to Brighton Beach was another fave. Hyde Park was great. Richmond Park was pure fun being in an area where pros workout. Didn’t see any but had fun
Cracking video once again Granty Boy! (ps. I also vaseline my armpits whenever I travel through London but probably for very different reasons
No more questions asked…
I was living in Cricklewood ,and used to get the tube ,I borrowed a bike one day and couldn't believe how close Central London was ,
Nice! Have you been riding it ever since?
@@grantritchie no Grant I have since moved to Greece ,
Hah, fair play!
There's a pub @ 4:17 on the left which is fantastic. The Old Red Lion - Kennington.
Great for cyclists, (they can get rat-assed whenever they like!) 😁
Good video. Now try watching and drinking a shot every time you hear the word “London” 😂
That was some impressive cycling there with that load on your back and wielding a camera, averaging 15mph through all those stops.
I notice you have a high cadence. What is it and how do you maintain it?
Is it true that a high cadence is more efficient?
Hah appreciate that! I think cadence is just something you develop over time, indoor training helps I think with developing a natural cadence. Gearing also makes a difference!
Having cycled all over London during my many and frequent visits, I think the cycling facilities in terms of segregated lanes, Cycle Super Highway etc are excellent. I’ve always felt safe, even during busy weekdays. I’m in agreement with you that the biggest liability to the London cyclist is.. the London cyclist. Some of them are just pure kamikaze , inviting carnage .
Thanks for sharing, good to hear a perspective from a local!
Thanks for sharing, good to hear a perspective from a local!
That's until you go to outer London and the lines abruptly stop.
Agree the infrastructure is great, the locals complain a lot, but it’s a question of what you’re accustomed to I suppose.
I’ve never seen any dangerous cycling or cyclists in London, everyone is quite well behaved in my experience.
I've been cycle commuting in to central London for almost 30 years, the cycleways have helped a lot with the increase in motor traffic but taxi drivers will still cut you up or u-turn into you on a side road. Thankfully LTNs have made a lot of back streets much slower and safer. Traffic lights aren't a problem when you are just getting from A to B, London has way more cyclists than "club" cyclists, slow it down.
Solid advice here!
Two backpacks that just change everything for me 👍
This is not remotely like Amsterdam. Children and the elderly would never cycle on those roads. There's nothing like enough segregation, you are riding a high speed bike in crouched position with low handlebars instead of Dutch sit up straight design, and you have to wear helmet and special clothing. There needs to be much more traffic restriction in London.
I agree that London still has a long way to go, but as someone that lives here (not sure if you do or don't but I still agree you none the less) I do think that people in London are picking up cycling surprisingly fast considering how comparatively barren the infrastructure is
also even though I dont think its the best solution, the advent of quiet ways into the cities cycling routes are really helpful and a good way of integrating cycling into the city with minimal infrastructure construction
@@user-gw3hq4mb7myeah I was going to also say the guy obviously picked a direct route, there are so many quiet streets designed to be quiet using LTNs. They don't quite fit together into an obvious unified network due to this having to be project managed and funded by various councils, e.g Chelsea and Kensington right at the heart have basically severed the city in two North of the river due to their stubborn pro car stance.
Amsterdam is a good aspiration but its unfair to compare the current state with Amsterdam as London is comparatively huge and had built (then abandoning the rest of the masterplan) a large urban highway programme in the 1970s when Amsterdam realised their much smaller highway programme was ugly and went for a pro pedestrian and cycling instead, so a much smaller city having a two decade head-start and an easier starting position. The 1970s highway infrastructure that was built dumps far too many vehicles into inner London, while the mainly historical street pattern can't handle complete segregation for all current levels of traffic let alone future population increases. The key is to reduce the number vehicles, yet it has been allowed to increase under the last two mayors due to the gig private hire economy and e-commerce delivery vehicles.
Always better than the tube :D
100%
hi its not obvious but... at 3 minutes 23 you enter pavement widening for covid. the cyclist is supposed to take primary position on the carriageways where there shouldn't be much traffic but on a weekday the pavements are heaving. hopefully the pavement widening will get permanent materials in due course.
I can honestly say that cycling is so much better than using the underground and amongst issues we face everyday are other cyclists, rickshaw riders and those pesky pedestrians who don't bother looking when they cross the road. Most of my issues seem to involve tourists on the Embankment (ruclips.net/video/-pQAjA7aV_c/видео.html) and I have had many a close shave cycling London and am now recording them to show how cycling is not always for the faint hearted. Still, feeling the wind or rain on your face is so much better than being crammed face to armpit in a hot underground carriage.
If you get hit by a driver filming with a camera in their hand is it driving without due care and attention?
its is frustrating to stop at all the lights - thats why a lot of people do not stop ;]
I truly don’t get the comment that “the underground is horrible but the overground isn’t” ???? Defo not a Londoner. What a bizarre take
I think because the underground has smaller carriages and usually is more crowded than the overground with the larger carriages. Overground is a bit more peaceful and slower and you see the city. But the underground as a service is better only because it is very efficient.
Kilometres? Has Scotland switched? Is it Euros next? 🤔
😬
Anyone else got forced to the curb because of a car going in the way
On behalf of everyone in London who does not want an early death from pollution, thanks for not bringing a car to London.
🤙🏼⚡🤙🏼
London cyclists do not all seem to stop at traffic lights.
lucky he didnt get his bike stolen
amen to that
I’d rather cycle through war torn Ukraine than London 😂😂😂😂
I would like to see that video.
I SEE MILE END