Mizter T wrote:
"Walter Briscoe" wrote:
.... I can imagine that it might seem like an
attractive route option late at night after one has been imbibing in a
hostelry - or perhaps I should say that I can almost imagine that *my*
fuzzified mind might think along those lines! That's perhaps the worst time
to walk though because as well as the wobble factor some cars do speed
through there late at night ...

is officially shared by pedestrians and cyclists, but certainly no-one
will begrudge those cyclists who do take this subterranean route for
cycling on the pavement (which is what they do) given the very narrow
of the roadway.

I have walked through it once in each direction. It took me about 15
minutes. I would not recommend it because the pollution seems atrocious.
A dentist friend cycles it daily on his work journey. Cycles sensibly and
illegally use the footpath. I suggest using the wrong footpath as there
are some pretty wide, overhanging vehicles which squeeze through the 7' 6"
width restricting bollards. There are cameras on both approaches to
encourage compliance with the 20 limit.

Regarding cyclists, I think I've seen them going both directions on both
footpaths (but I've only ever seen a single cyclist down there at anyone
time). Your suggestion about using the 'wrong' footpath and facing the
oncoming traffic is of course most wise, though it does beg the question of
what might happen if two cyclists or a cyclist and one of these very rare
breed of hardy Rotherhithe Tunnel pedestrians might meet whilst down there!

It is of course not even remotely a sensible route for cyclists and
pedestrians, and it's not exactly that sensible a route for motor traffic
either!

I went through last week, southbound, in the middle of the day. The
tunnel goes went exactly where I was going, and with a lot more miles
to do that day I didn't fancy the detours via Greenwich or Tower
Bridge. The pollution didn't seem too bad - what got me was the slope up.

I didn't even consider using the footway. It looked about a yard wide,
and would have meant trying to ride a foot from the wall on one side
and the traffic on the other.

The slope in was a breeze - steady 22 mph, so no-one could complain
about being held up. On the way out speed gradually dropped to 13 -
somewhat annoying to those behind, but if you do the sums it probably
delayed them about 20 seconds compared to someone doing 20 all the way.

Of course, if I'd slowed below 10, they could have legally crossed the
solid white line to pass me - in the few gaps in traffic the other way.

However it's just one of the stupid things I feel I should do once - I won't
do it when inebriated though!

Certainly not stupid, and I'd do it again - but not very often and
probably not at busier times.

Colin McKenzie

--
No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at
the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as
walking.
Make an informed choice - visit www.cyclehelmets.org.