Tilbury-Gravesend ferry

[mcshroom]

Why would moor cyclist want to use the ferry when the Dartford Bridge is only a short distance away?

a) Ferries are fun.

b) Wind.

Though ferries are less fun in wind

[Gattopardo]

How about with wind.

[Redlight]

Why would moor cyclist want to use the ferry when the Dartford Bridge is only a short distance away?

As a motor cyclist, I'd probably choose the ferry over the Dartford crossing - unless pushed for time.
Would you want to cycle over the Dartford crossing?

Actually, I'd love to southbound, but they'd have to put in a segregated cycle lane first.

It is a bit daft that there isn't a segregated pedestrian/cycle lane over the bridge. It has to be down to lack of vision rather than a genuine safety concern - the Pont de Normandie in France is, I think, higher )certainly feels it when you ride over) and has a brilliant cycle lane. Stopping halfway across and  looking down on the Seine, the ships below looked like toys.

[Wowbagger]

It has a cycle lane. I wouldn't call it brilliant. It's too narrow, too steep to cycle, not separated from the motorised traffic by anything substantial and is hard to find.

[Kim]

The Humber Bridge has a brilliant cycle lane.  Pont de Normandie not so much...



(Pavement-cycling Wowbagger for scale)

[gerwinium]

FWIW, crossed on the ferry from Gravesend to Tilbury yesterday morning. The space for bicycles seems limited. I can't see them fitting more than 3-4 bikes on, but there was only one other cyclist on there (with a very nice hand-built bike). The ferry seems quicker but getting on/off is a bit tricky. On the Gravesend side they didn't bother with a ramp, which means a 30cm step to get on. The ramp on the Tilbury side is very steep on the new ferry as it's considerably lower down. The staff offered to help on both sides though.

[Wowbagger]

I would imagine that that would vary depending on the state of the tide.