Daily Commuting Tip: Cycling and the Tube

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