Cycling to Cutty Sark

 

Off message. I decided to try and ditch my "fair weather only" cycling reputation by biking in the winter gloom and cold to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. My favourite route to the south of the borough is via West Ham Park and the Greenway. Across the A13 footbridge into Beckton Park, then Royal Albert Quay then past the Tate and Lyle factory. 

I took the Woolwich Ferry from Pier Road in Newham to Woolwich. I like using the ferry whenever I have the time. You get a free boat trip (okay - only 10 minutes or so) and some great views of the Thames. 

Next a 20 minute bike ride to Greenwich. The Cutty Sark is obviously closed due to Covid restrictions but it was good to see her again. I was meeting an old friend who I hadn't seen in months for a takeaway coffee and walk in the fresh air. 

To our surprise the "Trafalgar Pub" was still open and serving drinks. You had to text or email your order and they brought outside the beer in plastic cups (with lids). It would have been rude not too. 

After a short stroll and gossip (aka putting the world to rights) I cycled back via the Greenwich foot tunnel (entrance right next to Cutty Sark). Luckily both lifts, south and north, were working. The tunnel comes out in Island Gardens, Tower Hamlets. 

From there I went through the Isle of Dogs and then along the Thames path and the Grand Union canal towpath until Victoria Park. Then through the park and along towpath towards Hackney wick, through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and finally back home via side streets. 

My phone battery died on route so I am not sure how how long or how far I cycled but I think over 10 miles. But it is pretty flat and if pushed for time you could do a more direct route by main road cycle lanes. 

"Making our streets better for social distancing, walking and cycling..."

Check out the interactive survey launched today by Newham Council  https://www.newham.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/c19-information-advice/5

"We want to hear your ideas for making our streets better for social distancing, walking and cycling.

Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, current Government advice is that public transport should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, and with over 50% of Newham households not owning a car, we need to make sure that walking and cycling is a safe and attractive option.

Newham also has the largest number of deaths attributable to poor air quality and encouraging more residents to walk and cycle, instead of private vehicles, will also help reduce air pollution.

Make suggestions on the map for wider pavements, new or better crossing points, reducing speeds and traffic volumes, changes to cycle routes or any other changes to support with social distancing, walking and cycling".

I have been a keen cyclist and walker in Newham (and beyond) for many years. Today I cycled from Forest Gate 5.08 miles into Newham Dockside in 30 minutes and then this evening 4.36 miles back in 27 minutes (slow but not that much faster if I drove during rush hour). 

Cycling through West Ham Park, the Greenway and Beckton Park was really enjoyable. While cycling back along Tollgate Road, Prince Regent Lane and Plaistow High Street wasn't that great. 

So if you have any ideas about how to make our streets safer then click on the interactive survey and let Newham Council know. 

By coincidence as a Councillor I have had casework recently from residents wanting to increase the number of cycle hangers (secure storage cages on our roads). So as well as using the interactive survey to indicate areas which need more hangers, email Cycle.Training@Newham.gov.uk with your location and ask for more (and encourage your neighbours to do so as well) 

Ken Biking and Cycing in London

Off message. I started cycling in London again in May this year after a gap of many years. I use "Ken Bikes", also known as Barclays Cycle Hire or even dare I say, "Boris bikes"! The current London Mayor, Boris Johnson has unfairly been given the credit for hire bikes in London from former Labour Mayor, Ken Livingstone, whose idea it was in the first place.

There are no Ken Bikes currently in Newham so I usually take the train to Mile End or Liverpool Street station and pick up a bike there then cycle/bus/tube to work.

There are a number of sign posted "quiet" routes, missing most of the busy central London Streets. My favourite route into and back from North London is along the Regent Canal from Mile End or Bow. When I am feeling particularly fit I also jog back home to Forest Gate.

It costs £2 per day (£10 for 7 days or £90 for the year) to hire a Ken Bike for as many times as you want in a 24 hour period. If you go over 30 minutes it costs an extra £1 up to an hour thereafter the charges increases quite sharply. You can always stop after 29 minutes. Wait 5 minutes then continue for no extra charge.

There has been a series of cycling deaths in London in recent weeks which has put some people off cycling but the statistics suggest that it is safe even if sometimes things can be a little hairy.

There was been a crack down by police on cyclists and motorists and on Friday I was stopped by a PCSO and given a leaflet and reminded not to crash a red light. It is a little frustrating to stop at red lights sometimes as a cyclist, when there appears to be no one else about but the most scarey moments I have had so far have been have been with other cyclists not stopping at lights and nearly hitting me at speed.

I think if you are cycling for fitness you should treat the stop/start of traffic lights as being a free and beneficial form of interval training.

I always (ish) wear a safety helmet and bright clothing. I also don't wear headphones. One amazing (but perhaps co-incidental) benefit of cycling is that for a number of years I have suffered from a painful intermittent achilles tender problem in my left foot. I have been to physio, been given ultrasound, bought a wobble board and even been prescribed a leg brace - with little improvement but soon after I started cycling - it cleared up (touch wood).

If you commute on a Ken Bike it is difficult if you do not have storage space at your work place to change clothing or have no shower facilities but it is surprising how effective wet wipes can be (so I say anyway) and if you use the old Navy trick of rolling ironed folded clothing, it is amazing how they can come out of a bag or rucksack without major creases.

Hopefully with the colder weather I won't wimp out. Watch this space. 

Newham Council AGM: "...the kind of borough and place we want to live in..."

This speech was given by Cllr David Christie to the Newham Council AGM on May 19th.

"I have come to the conclusion that while this speech should extol the benefits of cycling, the starting point of any discussion on the issue should not be the pedal cycle itself but instead about the kind of borough and place we want to live in and create together. Today, I want to present a vision that through cycling, Newham can become London’s most liveable and vibrant borough.

In Newham we are awake to the importance of stimulating high quality urban design. It is about using the development opportunities we have to create well connected and attractive places for people. If you think about your favourite parts of London, I’m sure they will be places that are pleasant to walk around and are of a human scale. Those are places that work for cyclists too and so we can be pro cyclist just by creating places people want to live in.....

(read rest of speech and that of the Mayor, Cllr Hussain and Cllr Robinson here)