Taking bikes on the tube
This writer has been an avid road cyclist for the past 15 years. Or at least that was the case until last summer when I became overcome by irrational thoughts of death by bendy bus. So I put my prized Bianchi into storage and began a flirtation with a folding bike instead. The plan was to cut safely across Cricklewood’s Gladstone Park in north-west London to Dollis Hill tube, where I’d pick up the Jubilee Line to Bond Street and change to the Central Line for the two-stop trip to our offices in Tottenham Court Road. Frankly, I haven’t looked back.
As a rule, non-folding bikes are restricted to surface lines outside peak times. Folding bicycles, though, are permitted on any part of the tube, and at any time. Most folding bikes will be suitable for off-peak periods. Where it gets tricky is in the middle of rush hour, which is when you’re most likely to be travelling. From personal experience, folding bikes with protruding handlebars and pedals do not go down well with testy passengers, especially if it’s standing room only. With that in mind – and having ridden and reviewed every folding bike on the market – I’ve narrowed the choice down to two models that will cause neither embarrassment nor stress during rush-hour travel: the Brompton (www.brompton.co.uk) and Mobiky (www.foldingbikes.co.uk). Both of these bikes fold into tidy packages that take up no more room than a small suitcase. Derek Adams
Route rating
Miles 7 miles in all; 1.5 miles by bike.
Average cycle time 8 mins.
Calories burned Around 50.
Hacked off commuters None.
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6 comments
'Why adhere to a law that endangers me?' (re illegal pavement cycling) The same stupid selfish comment could possibly be made about knife-carrying. Get off the pavement, you selfish git - even if people say nothing to you don't take it as tacit acceptance, it's probably because they're frightened. Read letters in the local press and reports of local community and police meetings - it's you and others like you who are making the pavements in London a no-go area for old, disabled and vulnerable people. What a stupid and irresponsible article for Time Out to endorse - I will not be purchasing it again.
I was with a cyclist who was catapulted off her bike in an accident last week. She landed on her head and shoulder. Result: Helmet severely dented, concussion, face had a nasty case of road rash, broken collar bone. Without a helmet I think it could have been much worse.
Re: amazing statistics - the trouble with accident statistics is it is impossible to measure all the accidents that don't happen...
Did the writer really mean;
'Anarchic behaviour under the guise of protest is selfish and self-defeating.'
Or perhaps;
Selfish behaviour under the guise of protest is self-defeating.
Or maybe;
Selfish behaviour under the guise of anarchy is self-defeating.
Clean up on the stereotypes mate.
I ride through that road system most days and, as I've found generally with cycling in London at all times of day and night, if you ride with your wits about you, it isn't a problem. A cycle lane past Central St. Martin's would be safer and there's loads of pavement but in the mean time the author should grow a pair and use the road.
LB 's Southwark and Lewisham provide free Adult Cycle Training for all those who live, work or study in the borough. Available via www.cyclinginstructor.com. Online Booking!
Statistics show that amazingly cyclists who wear helmets have more accidents than cyclists who don't. This is because, the study says, drivers of cars and other vehicles tend to take it "slightly easy" when they see a cyclist wearing a helmet as opposed to when a cyclist is unprotected. A model Catch-22 situation innit?