Why is Cycling to Canary Wharf so Complicated?

One of my semi-frequent routes is from the City of London to Canary Wharf. The vast majority of my work is in the City, but I also have occasional meetings elsewhere in London, mostly in Canary Wharf. At around 3-4 miles depending on the starting point, mostly along the fully segregated CS3 route, its ideal for my kind of slow cycling in a suit, especially on a cool dry day. Its no quicker than the DLR, but is pleasant and cheap.

The problem is that its so hard to actually get onto the wharf itself.

The light blue line above is route recommended by Google Maps. At other times the same service has recommended crossing through the CrossRail station development, which is equally inaccessible. Even if you can find the route above via the little-known Willoughby Passage, you'll find a gate across it and a series of "Cyclists Dismount" signs to push the bike along a narrow path alongside the road. But you probably won't find it anyway, its not signposted at all. Every alternative (other than the slightly hellish road climb up to WestFerry Circus) involves steps, lifts, dismounting, or walking the final bit.

The management of Canary Wharf (Landlords rather than tenants) are notoriously anti-cycling. They have routinely objected to any cycling improvement scheme in the area, including CS3 and the proposed River Crossing from Deptford. It was a long while before Boris bikes were seen on the estate, despite their original sponsor, Barclays, having their head office there. Conversely most of the tenants are very pro-cycling. Not just Barclays, but HSBC and KPMG both tout their environmental sustainability as a major selling point. Most of the bigger Financial and Legal firms located there have a strong health and environmental ethos. And yet its crazily difficult to ride a bike up to the front of the offices.

And the thing is - that's madness. Like the City, Canary Wharf is densely populated with office workers. Public transport has improved massively over the last decade, but with only 2 Tube lines serving it (compared with 6 in the City), its still overcrowded even when running perfectly. When either the DLR or the Jubilee lines fail, the other is forced to close stations due to crowding. Surely creating capacity for a few thousand bicycles would we way more efficient than space for a few dozen cars?

In the meantime, I'll carry on pottering happily along CS as far as Westferry Road, and struggling through the last hundred yards. My current favourite route is via the lift behind the Royal China on the river front. One day - it may well be a new river crossing. But in the meantime, don't give up - if lots of us are trying it - something will get done.