Now, bear in mind that having had a bike for less than two weeks, I'm a bit of a novice at this cycling in London business. I lived in Cambridge for three years where there's really no other sensible way of getting around, but hung up my helmet when I came to London due to a fear of London traffic. The only thing that got me over that was cycling in Java - if you can deal with Indonesian traffic, London traffic's a walkover. Having said that, cycling in London is not for novices. London drivers are not patient folk and will cut you very little slack. Many are also not used to looking out for bikes and do daft things like pull out in front of you. ...  Read the complete review

I just thought I should give a counter view to the other opinion. I've been cycling in London for a few years now, and am currently commuting from Clapham to Shoreditch (about 6 miles) most days. And maybe I'm just lucky and/or charmed, but I've only ever had one incident that could be called an accident, and that caused more damage to the car than to me. I think that if you take sensible precautions, wear high visibility clothing, always use lights at night, obey standard traffic laws (which oh so many cyclists seem to disregard) and just keep your eyes open, then cycling can be perfectly safe. You just have to always assume ...  Read the complete review

Whilst I agree that it is extremely difficult for cyclists in London, due to the varying degrees of disgregard from all the larger vehicles out there, I have to say, I havent yet come across a cyclist who has any regard for pedestrians. There seems to be some unspoken rule that traffic lights are to be used at the cyclists convenience - if they're green, they can go - if theyre red - they can still go - and woe betide anyone who happens to be crossing the road at that particular time, having being gullible enough to believe that a little green man means they trot on across with no fear of being mowed down. I realise this is possibly due to the glimmer ...  Read the complete review

While using a bicycle in London may seem a quick and easy way to get around London, not to mention being the "green option" - I certainly would not recommend it. There are few cycle lanes and these are largely ignored by buses and cars making them unsafe, infact the general attitude and lack of care taken by car, taxi & bus drivers towards cyclists is quite frightening. Every year many cyclists in London are seriously injured or even killed, there are also all the exhaust fumes to worry about. This is not a method of transport in London that I would recommend to anyone. It's highly dangerous and damaging to your health.  Read the complete review