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Bikes? Bikes? BIKES!?

Epona said:
I think I'd rather get some old banger of a used car tbh

EDIT: On the basis that cycling whether electric or not is not going to suit everyone - just getting cold and wet and staying that way all day because I do not tend to work in offices (and when I do the heating is often switched off and they are uninhabited!) would be injurious to my health and wellbeing, if I turn up wet and cold and have to stay that way all day. Also sometimes have to carry stuff.
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One years - tax/insurance/parking - will potentially cost more than the electric bike.

But i know which I’d rather do an 100 mile journey on a December evening in!
 
Cid said:
The potential increase in vehicle traffic is going to make for a very shitty commute experience if driving, and public transport is clearly not a great option now.
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Yeah a conversation has already been had about finding all day parking spots in London. Im pushing back on that. So many people are going to be on that too.
 
Electric bikes sound like an interesting alternative to sweating your bollocks off while wearing a stupid Lycra costume for the world's lamest comic-book hero. Shame that both Brussels and Westminster colluded in having gimped them into weedy little toys for children, rather than a serious means of transport.

Depending on how long they last, it may or may not be worth grabbing one that was made or imported before January 1st, 2016. If not, consider taking up electronics as a hobby if you want an electric bike with a more powerful motor that actually goes at a decent pace.
 
NoXion said:
Electric bikes sound like an interesting alternative to sweating your bollocks off while wearing a stupid Lycra costume for the world's lamest comic-book hero. Shame that both Brussels and Westminster colluded in having gimped them into weedy little toys for children, rather than a serious means of transport.

Depending on how long they last, it may or may not be worth grabbing one that was made or imported before January 1st, 2016. If not, consider taking up electronics as a hobby if you want an electric bike with a more powerful motor that actually goes at a decent pace.
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15.5mph is easily fast enough for commuting (and obviously you can go faster, you're just not getting the assist). Also I'm pretty sure it will just be a software lock on the standard motors.
 
Cid said:
15.5mph is easily fast enough for commuting (and obviously you can go faster, you're just not getting the assist). Also I'm pretty sure it will just be a software lock on the standard motors.
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If I'm shelling out money for something like that, I'm going to be using it for more than commuting. I'm happy to stick to the roads in the interests of pedestrian safety, but that also makes power more important.
 
NoXion said:
If I'm shelling out money for something like that, I'm going to be using it for more than commuting. I'm happy to stick to the roads in the interests of pedestrian safety, but that also makes power more important.
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Buy one and get it derestricted then.
 
dessiato said:
If god wanted us to use bikes he wouldn’t have given us a foot for accelerator and a foot for brakes.
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Think you're describing go-karts and rally cars - or are you a proponent of left foot braking on the commute?

Don't forget the 2 hands the lord gave us - one for the steering wheel and the other to alternate between fiddling with the infotainment system and giving other people the finger
 
NoXion said:
If I'm shelling out money for something like that, I'm going to be using it for more than commuting. I'm happy to stick to the roads in the interests of pedestrian safety, but that also makes power more important.
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average speed within London in a car is 16.5mph, considering you should be able to get away with charging it at work it seems pretty cheap to run - cheaper than a zone 1 to 4 travel card, cost split over 3 years tax free - bargain.
 
alex_ said:
average speed within London in a car is 16.5mph, considering you should be able to get away with charging it at work it seems pretty cheap to run - cheaper than a zone 1 to 4 travel card, cost split over 3 years tax free - bargain.
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I imagine better than a normal bike in winter too - get away with a bit more clothing without getting sweaty, wouldn't be fussed about sticking extra clothes etc in panniers.
 
alex_ said:
average speed within London in a car is 16.5mph, considering you should be able to get away with charging it at work it seems pretty cheap to run - cheaper than a zone 1 to 4 travel card, cost split over 3 years tax free - bargain.
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I don't live in an ovepriced semi-permanent traffic jam London. Although considering the absolutely fucking stupid prices for bus fares around here, I could still save a fair amount of money.
 
alex_ said:
average speed within London in a car is 16.5mph, considering you should be able to get away with charging it at work it seems pretty cheap to run - cheaper than a zone 1 to 4 travel card, cost split over 3 years tax free - bargain.
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My bike has a 40 mile charge on it. Bus in Bristol costs £80 per month and I am paying £66 including insurance so saving money. Once it's paid off it'll be £10 a month. Twice as quick too.

Agree with the mental health aspects too. I actually found winter so much easier to cope with once I made the switch. Obviously excercise and being out more often helped. I was massive skeptic, but did it due to a job I went for and I don't regret it. I'd like to get a moped at some point mind.
 
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BristolEcho said:
Agree with the mental health aspects too. I actually found winter so much easier to cope with once I made the switch. Obviously excercise and being out more often helped. I was massive skeptic, but did it due to a job I went for and I don't regret it. I'd like to get a moped at some point mind.
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I think there's quite a lot of evidence that those who do any kind of physical exercise on their commute, even a ten minute walk from the station to the office, arrive more alert than those who drive door to door. The same is true for the receptiveness of students, and both demographics are more productive as a result.
 
One thing that I don't think has been mentioned on this thread is the level of exposure to air pollutants whilst travelling by different modes. This explains that there's over 20% more NO2 inside a car than outside, and I'm sure I read of an experiment comparing travelling between two tube stations in central London by car, bus, walk and bike. The bike rider had the lowest exposure, lower than the pedestrian largely because they were travelling for less time. The car had higher exposure than the bus, I think because of the smaller volume of stagnant air those inside were breathing.
 
stavros said:
I think there's quite a lot of evidence that those who do any kind of physical exercise on their commute, even a ten minute walk from the station to the office, arrive more alert than those who drive door to door. The same is true for the receptiveness of students, and both demographics are more productive as a result.
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It's why the one thing I've always loved about London is the public transport - I have 4 tube/DLR stations that I can get the bus to if it is raining or if one of my joints is playing up (often those are the same days tbh), or a brisk walk to whichever one is most convenient for my ongoing journey makes a nice bit of exercise for someone like me who is not as fit or able as many but still like to get a bit of exercise without having to do miles in all weathers with no other option.
 
No delays, a dose of positivity, not having to crush into a train, not have to wait for the train to empty or for people to go through the barriers.
Waterproof clothing really is waterproof and breathable these days. If you keep it clean, keeps you dry warm and sweat-free even in the heaviest rain.

I can't imagine returning to public transport
 
Sunray said:
No delays, a dose of positivity, not having to crush into a train, not have to wait for the train to empty or for people to go through the barriers.
Waterproof clothing really is waterproof and breathable these days. If you keep it clean, keeps you dry warm and sweat-free even in the heaviest rain.

I can't imagine returning to public transport
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:cool: for the enthusiasm and positivity :)

Myself, I've got loads of reservations these days about cycling to/from work -- principally the mega-mountain (that I mentioned before) between home and work :(

But if I was still living in (a flat area of) London, or in another city that lacked stupid hills, I''d be back on the bike as often as possible!** :)

**Possibly not in the depths of winter mind! :eek: ..... but I am 57! ;)
 
This is all I could find on the upcoming changes from Mayor’s bold new Streetspace plan will overhaul London’s streets
TfL, working with London’s boroughs will make changes - unparalleled in a city London’s size – to focus on three key areas:
  • The rapid construction of a strategic cycling network, using temporary materials, including new routes aimed at reducing crowding on Underground and train lines, and on busy bus corridors.
  • A complete transformation of local town centres to enable local journeys to be safely walked and cycled where possible. Wider footways on high streets will facilitate a local economic recovery, with people having space to queue for shops as well as enough space for others to safely walk past while socially distancing.
  • Reducing traffic on residential streets, creating low-traffic neighbourhoods right across London to enable more people to walk and cycle as part of their daily routine, as has happened during lockdown.
Euston Road is one of the first main thoroughfares to benefit from temporary cycle lanes. Park Lane could follow suit under plans being studied.

The temporary schemes will be reviewed by TfL – and could become permanent.

TfL has already begun making improvements to boost social distancing using temporary infrastructure. Pavements have already been doubled in size at Camden High Street and Stoke Newington High Street and widened at six further locations* - with more to follow in the coming weeks.

TfL has also worked with Hackney Council to close Broadway Market to through traffic and, with Royal Parks, to close through traffic at weekends to The Mall/Constitution Hill and all Royal Parks (except Regents Park).

Further improvements as part of the London Streetspace plan will include:
· Creating new walking and cycling routes along major corridors, including temporary cycle lanes in Euston Road. TfL is also looking at creating temporary cycle lanes on Park Lane. Upgrades will also be made to existing routes including creating sections of temporary segregation from Merton to Elephant and Castle, and Pimlico to Putney. Space for cycling will be created between Catford town centre and Lewisham via the A21, and on the A23 between Oval and Streatham Hill.
· The Cycleway 9 scheme between Kensington Olympia and Brentford, and the Cycleway 4 scheme between Tower Hill and Greenwich will be accelerated with temporary measures so the Londoners can benefit from them more quickly. Meanwhile on-street parking and lanes for cars and general traffic will be repurposed to give people on foot and on bikes more space.
· Widening more pavements in town centres to allow people to access local essential shops and services more easily. Pavements will be widened in more than 20 locations, including in Brixton and Earl’s Court in the coming days.
· Working to make walking and cycling in local neighbourhoods safer and more attractive by reducing the speed and volume of motor traffic. A low-traffic neighbourhood will be created in Hounslow along the future Cycleway 9 route by closing local roads to through traffic and further locations across London will follow, with TfL actively supporting boroughs to reduce motor traffic on residential streets to make walking and cycling safer and easier.
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