Rotherhithe tunnel?

Is it safe to cycle in the rotherhithe tunnel?

I need to get from Bethnal Green to Lewisham, otherwise I have to go via Tower Bridge.

I've never been through it, so no idea if there is a cycle path or if it's safe.

It's a horrible place to ride through, but do-able - I'd use the pavement as the road's pretty narrow, there are rarely any pedestrians going through. Personally, I tend to go via the rather more scenic route of Tower Bridge.

Or down the isle of dogs and walk your bike through Greenwich foot tunnel.

Or down the isle of dogs and walk your bike through Greenwich foot tunnel.

True, though I think it's about the same as Tower Bridge.

From were you turn off near Aldgate East the roads are all pretty big up to and past Tower Bridge so you shouldn't loose much time. You could always go the Greenwhich Foot Tunnel way, Lewisham is a 5-10 min cycle from Greenwhich pier. The first pub on the left as you head away from the foot tunnel on the Greenwich side is really nice as well.

I tried doing Rotherhite once, on the road; it was generally a bad experience. Plus you're not allowed through there on a 125cc moped (for your own safety IMHO), so doing it lone wolf on a bicycle probably wasn't/isn't too great an idea, a group rolling through there would probably be ok.

I live in Brockley (just up Loampit Vale from 'Sham Station) and my old man lives in Bethnal, and I do this journey fairly often. The route I usually take is:
Victoria Park (Approach Rd entrance) » Mile End » Burdett Rd » Canary Wharf » Westferry Rd » Greenwich Foot Tunnel » Greenwich High Rd » Brookmill Rd » A few more little streets (No, I'm not going to direct you to my door, though you are welcome to pop in for a cuppa via PM request) » Home!
That usually takes me 15-20 mins, traffic is generally OK and the roads aren't too bad (except for the odd bit of nasty on Burdett Rd).

I tried doing Rotherhite once, on the road; it was generally a bad experience. Plus you're not allowed through there on a 125cc moped (for your own safety IMHO), so doing it lone wolf on a bicycle probably wasn't/isn't too great an idea, a group rolling through there would probably be ok.

I live in Brockley (just up Loampit Vale from 'Sham Station) and my old man lives in Bethnal, and I do this journey fairly often. The route I usually take is:
Victoria Park (Approach Rd entrance) » Mile End » Burdett Rd » Canary Wharf » Westferry Rd » Greenwich Foot Tunnel » Greenwich High Rd » Brookmill Rd » A few more little streets (No, I'm not going to direct you to my door, though you are welcome to pop in for a cuppa via PM request) » Home!
That usually takes me 15-20 mins, traffic is generally OK and the roads aren't too bad (except for the odd bit of nasty on Burdett Rd).

tl;dr

its gnarly dude, go for it.

Done it a few times, always on the road. Speed limit is 20, so if you're going at a reasonable pace, you supposedly aren't keeping traffic back. Unfortunately, they don't see it this way, so had to exact the wing mirror tax at the next lights on one twat.

It's effing horrible, if you can go the other way then go the other way...it's grim, dirty and must add a monoxide tax on your lungs that is far from safe. greewich or tower bridge are maybe 5 mins longer...though whats five minutes when you come out the other side with your lungs screaming and your eyes streaming thinking ....hhhmmm is that safe? did I just put 3 months on my life?

I work in Southwark and used to live in West Greenwich (AKA Deptford), and would vary my route home on a Wednesday by heading over Southwark Bridge, through Hackney to East drinks, stop to have a pint on my own, then head down through the Isle of Dogs, foot tunnel, Greenwich, then hard right and home to Deptford.

It's quite a nice route, you can make it faster or slower depending on your mood, and if it's a nice day then the views are quite pleasant, as long as you keep your eyes shut through Hackney obviously.

I used to do it fairly regularly on a bmx to visit a mate who lived right by the tunnel mouth.
I found that on a freewheel if you got plently of speed up as you enter you can coast half of it fairly swiftly without really having to breath very much at all then get out the other side as quick as possible.
Walked it once and the air is terrible down there, if it only adds a few minutes to go either of the other two ways I'd go for that every time. I guess the air quality is dependent on how dense the traffic has been just as you go in but even at odd hours when theres no traffic its fucking grim.

Beth al green to lewisham I'd be taking the foot tunnel.

Used to live in bg and parents live in Greenwich and it's a nice route but a bit time consuming!

Only tome I've ridden through rotherhithe tunnel I nearly vommed, but someone else told me they'd tried it and had the same experience and I ignored them. Give it a go and see what you think!

Gonna be boring and say I've had no troubles with the tunnel on the occasions I've used it. As above, the downhill on the way in'll have you level with the cars with no effort, becomes a bit of a drag as it starts heading up again and the fumes become noticeable, but nothing major.
The pavementy bit always looks grim, narrow, crap in the corners and often obstacles that'll spoil your fun. Stick to the road, take the space you need and keep the legs turning, no worries innit.

I've done it a couple times.
It's quite an experience and you can pick up some serious speed when there isn't too much traffic. The sidewalk is VERY narrow and has blind bends which slow you down, you want to get through there quick as breathing becomes an issue with the fumes down there. Unless the traffic is very busy/slow I'd recommend you stay on the road as you'll be faster.

Go for it!

I did't even consider the pavement but +1

It’s noisy and smelly and the lighting’s a bit weird, but it’s a blast to do. Traffic is limited to 20mph, so on a good day you can tuck behind a car and cane it all the way through. It’s like being reborn when you make it out. In a way.

I've done it once, never again. it's a horrible tunnel.

I do mile end to forest hill once a week and find it much more pleasant to go over tower bridge. The Greenwich foot tunnel is ok too. both are defo worth the extra little distance.

Did you ever make it through the tunnel John?

Nah, didn't need to in the end, but now I know where the foot tunnel is, so would probably use that.

I went through today for the first time and would agree it's pretty grim. Not really difficult, just really unpleasant. I got the reborn feeling and that almost makes it worth it. Almost. Went via Tower bridge on the way back.