Daily Commuting Tip: Cycling and the Tube

Posted: 22nd Sept 2009 | Words: Eddie Allen | Image: Hugo Gladstone

Love it or loathe it, the London Underground is the cardiovascular system of the capital, whisking London's multitudes to and from every corner of the metropolis. Add a bike into the equation and you've achieved a state of uber-mobility. Door to door journeys are achievable in record time, with a negligible environmental impact.

I'm a regular train bike commuter, using intercity services to get to and from work every week. However the Tube imposes some new and interesting challenges to the train/bike commuter, as I found out on a recent assignment in London. I made a lot of rookie errors, but also a lot of observations on how to do it better next time. Here are some top tips:

• Get a folding bike - no arguments - just do it. Sure there are sections of the Tube network that allow the use of full-sized bikes, but if you want the freedom of the network, you need a folder.
• Choose the lightest and smallest folder you can afford - mentioning no brands here, but size and weight really do take precedence over rideability here. 
• A small folded size is important as many central services become rammed to the rafters - a standard 20 inch wheeled folding bike may not be small enough. 
• Light-weight is a must because you'll be carrying your folder a lot more than you normally would. On my normal intercity trip, my folding bike (which weights around 28lbs) stays fully assembled from the doorstep to the carriage, meaning I only need to lift it onto the train. However, on the tube you'll be carrying your folded bike up and down stairs and escalators, so the lighter the better. A bike with rollers that can be wheeled along also really helps.
• The same applies to any kit that you're carrying - keep your bag light by dispensing with everything but the bare essentials. There's even an argument not to bother with tools and a spare tube when you're in the city on a folder - your bike will be so small that it will fit in a taxi if things go awry.
• If you've got bike luggage, make sure that it's got a quick release system and a shoulder strap. This will mean that you can detach your bag and fold down the bike fast. It will also mean that when you carry your bike, you'll have a hand free to operate lift doors, ticket machines and steady yourself of escalators.

More: Daily Commuting Tips Archive

External Link: Transport for London info: bicycles on the tube