Cycling to Tiffin (from Hampton)

[rebbled]

DS starting at Tiffin in September. He's not a keen cyclist by any means, but we want to consider it as an option. Most of the journey will be across Bushy Park, which is fine, but on the Kingston side of the park I'm a bit worried about the roundabout, bridge and ring road.. Do school children cycle across the pedestrianised town centre? Also, are there good cycle storage facilities at the school?

Knowing the area quite well, wouldn't the train be a better option?

I'm not sure I'd want my DS cycling through Bushy (or indeed Kingston) on dark winter mornings and evenings....

Well obviously train would be first choice, and bus second, but in the current circumstances we're considering other options. Fingers crossed we'll be back to normal by September, but I'm not betting on it.

I have no qualms about DS cycling through Bushy before or after school. It is always busy. Traffic on the Kingston side is my only concern, hence the question.

I think the cycle lane goes over kingston bridge then on the pavement round the back of bentalls from memory possibly detouring in front of the warhammer shop (dolphion road?). Not sure of the last bit to Tiffin, I think it's past the telephone box scuplture then on the minor road past the antique centre.

The bit though from Bushy to Kingston bridge I think is on the road.

Honestly my coming up y7 wouldn't be able to do it. If the trains aren't safe come September I'll be driving my DS to school in Twickenham.

I'm not from the area so no idea but DD goes to a comp 2 miles from us and y7 first term and a half is so cold, wet and dark, the last thing she'd have wanted to do was cycle there, and she's a keen cyclist. The public transport is a big social thing too although that might change in September.

Also, they will have quite a lot of stuff with them (and some days they get the coach to the sports ground and then have to get home from there too, he could find his bike is still at school!) . I really wouldn't fancy sending my 11 year old off on his bike on that journey.