Cycling to work
The day you take the plunge of cycling to the office, you can transform your working week and claw back hours of quality ‘you’ time.
Fear factorThe first and biggest obstacle to becoming a regular commuter cyclist is in your head. For the inexperienced, mixing it with London’s peak-time traffic seems daunting and downright dangerous. But caution is your greatest ally on the road. If you think you could do with a helping hand, you could think about TfL’s cycle training. At the busiest times of day, cyclists can be emboldened by sheer strength in numbers. There are so many bikes on the road at rush hour this summer that motorists have no option but to look out for you.
Cycle schemeMany employers are signed up to schemes that could save you a bundle on a new bike - and possibly help you buy a bike you couldn’t normally afford. In a typical scheme, you can specify exactly how much you want to spend and then get a new bike tax-free, which can save you a whopping 40 per cent. You can then pay for the bike in interest-free instalments and there are big discounts on accessories too. Cyclescheme is a great place to start and TfL has its own calendar of events and schemes near you.
Cycle training Local authorities across London run these excellent - and free - biking ice-breakers. A qualified instructor will show the basics and they can even accompany on your route to work, before you decide to go it alone. If you haven’t cycled for a while or are starting afresh, a bit of training is sure to boost your confidence.
Finding your wayYour route to work could change completely depending on whether you walk, drive or bike it. You might choose to sacrifice a few minutes to avoid the busiest stretches of rush-hour road. For example, the designated cycle lane on Tavistock Place is the most pleasant way to cut through the centre of town.
If you need a helping hand, TfL’s free London Cycle Guides will help you find the best cycle-friendly routes. You can also get tips on shortcuts and find out how your cycling contemporaries are making their journeys to the office using TfL's nifty cycle maps.
Parking If there’s a bike shed where you work, you’re sorted (waiting list permitting). If not, you’ll need to leave your vehicle in the care of London’s pavements. TfL has installed 20,000 new cycle stands across the capital, although you’ll often have to resort to lampposts and parking-meter signs. This needn’t spell trouble, as long as you take precautions - namely a combination of D-lock and cable lock. Anything that can be removed from your bike (eg lights, saddle, panniers), remove it yourself. See TfL's guide to avoiding theft for more information.
by Kevin Darling
