Things to bear in mind when cycling in London during the Olympics...
[This page will serve as a placeholder for all Olympic cycling restrictions and changes as we hear about them...]
Disclaimer: I have found that staff at various stations and facilities also seem confused about policy, so it may well be worth checking their site and taking a printout of the policy if you are relying on taking your bike on a train, for example. We will try to keep this as up-to-date as possible but please check also with the websites concerned... If you know of any changes please let us know.
See also: [LCC: Getting around during the Olympics]
- The towpath on the eastern bank of the River Lea navigation was fenced off just past Hackney Marshes, at the point where the A12 flies over it, all the way to Bow to the south. [Guardian Article re: Closure and demo]
- Greenway Closure: The Greenway is scheduled to reopen in December 2012 once temporary London 2012 facilities have been removed.
- Canal Towpath Closures include: From the Eastway ramp to the Bow Flyover. These will affect not just those cycling to the Olympic games but also those who regularly use the routes. This restriction is being put in place as it is seen as a security risk. [London Cyclist: Cycling to the Olympics]
- Olympic and Paralympic Route Network (ORN and PRN) Cyclists risk £130 fine for being in the Olympic lanes during operation
See: The "Cycling" section at http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/things-you-should-know/changes-roads.html
Claims that "Disruptions to cyclists should be minimum as 95% of closures will be on the far side as opposed to the bus lane." - Total ban on non-folding carriage by train companies: [Original Article: CTC] :
Both First Great Western and Southern, serve Dorking, which is the town closest to Box Hill, the focal point of the race. A special timetable, with 6 trains per hour, will run from Waterloo and Victoria in central London to Dorking, calling at Box Hill & Westhumble station.
The ban on bikes throughout the summer was proposed by both Southern and South Eastern. However, in the last few weeks, they have both quietly backed down from that position and bikes will be allowed on in the period between the Olympics and Paralympics
- First Great Western trains from Reading to Redhill, passing through several stops close to where the race will go has a ban on cycle carriage throughout the weekend of the 28/29 July.
- Southern operates between London and Brighton and also operates trains to the stations closest to Box Hill. Restrictions will apply from 27 July to 12 August and 29 August - 9 September.
- Southeastern operate trains between London and Kent, they are proposing a total ban on non-folding bikes from 27 July - 12 August and again, for the Paralympics, from 29 August - 9 September
- South West Trains serves parts of the race route, the cycling time trial and Wimbledon. Non-folding bikes are not permitted on trains serving Dorking during the cycle race events on 28/29 July
- C2C services to Southend and Shoeburyness during Mountain Bike events, 11-12 August
- London Overground: "During the 2012 Games additional restrictions are on trains timed to depart in either direction Monday to Sunday all day between Clapham Junction / Willesden Junction and Stratford and between Highbury & Islington and New Cross/Forest Hill." (A rather long-winded way of saying bikes are banned at all times, in almost all of zones 1-3!)
- ATOC Cycle Rail Policy - including Olympics updates [pdf]
- Cycle Hire / Docking Station Suspensions: A number of Cycle Hire docking stations will be suspended at various times.
The nearest docking stations are around 15-20 minutes walk away from the Olympic Park. - Emirates Air-Line Cable Car: Unknown
- Thames Clippers River Service: Unknown
- Bicycle Parking: Expect bike parking facilities to be more limited as more Londoners are expected to commute by bike. At London Bridge station, some of the cycle parking has been removed "to make more space" - Some additional temporary cycle parking...
[LCC: Paid attendants required for cycle parking facilities in the Royal Parks]