London Commute - Bicycle vs Motorcycle vs Bus vs Tube vs Other?
Hi All,
Will start FT IBD in London soon and am considering commuting options (I'll thankfully be working in Central London, not Canary Wharf). I'm looking to live relatively close by to the office, no further than say 2-3km. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience commuting by bike or motorcycle? Figuring the cost of an annual travelcard for zones 1-2 is close to £1,400 and that I would love to avoid taking the tube every morning, would I be better suited buying a cheap second hand scooter or road bicycle?
Would love to hear from anyone who has done or is doing this and the potential cons (rain, parking permits, bike theft, inconsiderate drivers, late nights). Should I just stick to the tube? Any other suggestions are welcome too.
Thanks!
Hi,
Lived and worked in London for a few years so I can shed some light on the matter.
Tube: The pros of the tube are that it's fast and it can get you anywhere around London. Yes, the travel card is £1360 (around that) but divided by 365 days it comes to ~£3.70 a day. Considering that a one way with the oyster card is £2.40 you already save money just by going to and from the office. Issue with the tube is that at peak times (8-9am and 5:30-7pm) it's packed. If you can avoid these times then go for it. Again, if you're pulling 15+ hour days with no time to do other things during the week it seems like a bit of a waste.
Bike: Biking is a good idea but theft in London is pretty high. The Santander bikes (the bike sharing scheme) costs £90 A YEAR and apps like CityMapper can help you find the parking spaces near you and how many bikes are there. Honestly I think this is the best option if you live 2-3km from the office and there's the added bonus you don't risk having them stolen once parked at their docking station. Usually if you avoid peak times you'll always find one at a docking station so no issues there. As with biking in all cities, be careful on the road. Rain can be an issue but as long as you're careful in turns etc you'll be fine. One last thing to consider is that the Santander bikes are heavier than normal ones so have added stability.
Cars/Motorbikes: With so many other options I don't think this is a good idea. A motorbike has the same issues as the bike (rain, theft lack of parking) and costs way more.
I would pick the bike sharing scheme and use the tube on weekends.
Really appreciate the detailed answer, definitely things in there I hadnt considered!
Great answer already by G-I the pharma guy!
Only thing I would add is this: - If you are going to work in IBD you will only take the tube once a day, in the morning. You will take a cab in the evening (so it's 2.40 a day for work) - In IBD you usually start past 9 am (most come in between 9:30 and 10:30), so the tube won't be as busy - Biking can be nice, but I don't like riding my bike in my suit. You get sweaty and if somebody hits you, you will most certainly rip out of your suit
I usually took an empty tube around 9:10 and on sunny Fridays I would go casual and take a Santander bike. They are cheap and you can go clubbing directly after the Friday drinks without having to worry where you parked you bike.
Caveat, you need to be able to ride a bike in a busy city :)
Thank you! Seems like the combination of morning tube and occasional Santander bike is worth trying
Start the first month by getting a monthly travel card for the tube, see how much you use it then decide if to get the annual one or use pay-as-you-go
I'm crazy about bicycles
I'm crazy about bicycles and thanks for sharing a useful link.
Do you ride with your dress pants on? I'm worried about wear and tear. If not, where do you get changed before walking in the office?
You also don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t go to the pub because he is driving
Interesting thread! Coming from a Nordic capital where electric scooters (kickbikes) are a big thing - are people using that in London? I know that the on-demand ones are on a trial run right now, but do individuals have their own? Seems like an ideal mode of transport, and I guess you could store it in the office's bike garage
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