Velocity magazine; Due South, 1 km radius
We were recently invited to submit a short photo journal about the cycling and active travel provision within a 1km radius of our studio by the lovely people at Velocity for issue eight of the magazine. It’s great to see the finished article in print and we’re now settling down to read the rest of the magazine with our afternoon tea and biscuits. We’re thrilled to be in such illustrious company…
Thanks David and Toby for featuring us and congratulations on another brilliant issue!
Velocity Magazine, Issue 8.
1 km radius plotted from our studio. © Google
We recently moved into our first studio in the Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey and of course the first thing to do after moving all the furniture in was look at planning safe cycling routes around the area. The commute to work often gets committed to memory and a sort of autopilot kicks in and it’s so tricky to retrain the mind to the new one but good to see what safe routes are available. We were pleasantly surprised with just how much there is in the 1km radius around us as both not as familiar with this part of London previously. We both love cycling and commuting in each day through south London and even visit clients on our bikes with samples and heavier items in the cargo bike. We also spend a lot of time meeting new clients and collaborators through cycling and has become such an integral part of our business.
Location 1 – Burgess Park
Whilst on the edge of the 1km radius we wanted to include this as it’s such a wonderful place to cycle through. It’s such a generous open space set within the more densely populated streets and roads surrounding. In the morning a mist often sits over it whilst in the evening I often cycle through it in the pitch black. Whilst I was initially apprehensive about the darkness I’ve come to love this wonderful moment of calm and decompression on the way home. In the morning it’s always busy with activity; dog walkers, cyclists, families going to school, runners and people doing their morning workout or tai chi. It feels like such a hub of activity.
Location 2 – Cycleway 10, formerly Quietway one
I recently rediscovered this when planning my new commute in. I was shocked at just how busy it was. It feels like one of the main arterial routes into the city and a contrast from the slight calm of the park. It follows the path of residential streets where I use it and winds its way around more suburban scale development into the back of Bermondsey Street. It’s an incredibly efficient way of getting through this part of the city so nice to be away from the cars on the busy roads.
Location 3 – The Thames Path
One of my regular rides is to take the Thames Path as far as I can east along the Thames Path and then get the Woolwich ferry over to the other side of the river before riding back into the city. It hadn’t really occurred to me that this would be so popular with people riding more generally and used as a commuter route. It’s nice to stand by the river at The Angel pub and watch the river. So many cyclists seem to pass us by in the evenings.
Location 4 – Surrey Canal Road
I only recently discovered this cycleway thanks to Open City and their Surrey Canal tour. The canal is long gone but the route follows one part of it along this quite industrial road. I sometimes use it when cutting through from Brockley and is elevated and away from the traffic. You get these lovely moments as you pass under the railway arches.
Location 5 – Cycleway 10
Another favourite route is to turn left of Surrey Canal Road onto NCN 425 and then onto Cycleway 10. It elevates you to the same level as the railway which runs to London Bridge and you see the Shard on-axis and the wider city skyline. It feels really quite special as you rise up above the traffic and head into central London on what feels like a not so fancy Skyline project. I often see the DHL cargo bikes using this as they head in with the loads from the depot.
Location 6 – Cycleway 4, Jamaica Road
I think this is cycleway four also. It’s such a brilliant example of cycle infrastructure in London and fully segregated away from traffic. The smooth tarmac and priority over side roads are a complete dream. It’s so efficient to get to London Bridge or the wider city from here and is also convenient from getting back from laps on a Tuesday morning.
