London based advice please- cycling in London

[Patiencerunningthin]

Hi London based mumsnetters. Heading to London on Saturday with teenagers for an organised bike event. I’ve asked for previous advice on getting across London with bikes- gratefully received, and we were planning transport straight to the event from Euston.

My 14 year old son now wants to ride from Euston to Southwark Park. My question is is this a crazy idea based on the route? We’ve been to London lots but as tourists and not really given thought to navigating it as a rider.

It’s about a 35 min ride. He’s a confident rider who frequents a northern city on his bike daily so no stranger to sensible riding in city streets with busy traffic- teams, cars, taxis, buses. He’ll be with a group including older kids / young adults who have been to the event before. They are used to going off on bike adventures to new places so that doesn’t worry me.

If they ride then I’ll be with another parent making our way on public transport to Southwark Park and we’ll all meet up there.

I’d appreciate the view of people more familiar with that route on bike.

I cycle a lot in London (50 something mum) and I’d be fine with that. They just need to be super aware of other people/bikes/cars.

That’s what I needed to read- thank you from a fellow 50 (not quite something yet) mum. Unlike you I’m not a cyclist and am still giggling from previous suggestions to join them on a Lime bike :)

I think he'll be fine. Tons and tons and tons of people cycle in central London, and the infrastructure on major roads is usually good. Buses are very used to pulling around cyclists. He may want to check CycleStreets or another good cycling app for a slightly quieter route than the major arteries, but that's purely optional.

P.S. I am a London cyclist, and not just talking out of my arse here. I commute to work by bike and also cycle for pleasure.