Imagine a place chock full of traffic that was never designed to be and there you have London. Many of the capital’s streets are the busiest roads on Earth and riding a motorcycle in the capital is indeed full of challenges. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart.

Before riding through our nation’s capital on a bike, consider the following points:

• Are you an experienced and confidently competent rider?
• Do you know your bike’s controls instinctively, so you can keep your focus on the road conditions all around you?
• Can you make quick and good decisions?
• Are you confident, fearless and a great observer?
• Are you prepared to forget everything you thought you knew about the rules of the road?
• Is your bike in safe working order and serviced by a specialist motorcycle garage Kensington?

Even with all these useful attributes, you’ll still find the conditions on the capital’s roads challenging. You’ll encounter hairy moments, gaps closing a split second before you reach them, honking horns, angry gesticulations and car drivers who cut you up without a moment’s hesitation. Why then would you even consider it?

For those who love the adrenaline rush of nipping, tucking and weaving through traffic – London is perfect. For those who loathe public transport, the delays and uncertainty, the endless queue of frustrated, bored car drivers– motorbikes are perfect. The ability to weave to the front of the traffic, the fuel economy and quicker commute times make riding a popular choice in the capital despite the hazards.

Some of the challenges you face come in the form of coaches, lorries and taxis, of which there are literally thousands. Never position yourself between a car and a lorry, bus or coach and always have an escape route to use. Remember to look as far ahead as possible at what the traffic is doing and whether lights have changed etc. Also stay aware of other motorcyclists when you go to change lanes, as you well know, a quick check over your shoulder can save lives.

Pedestrians are another obstacle to overcome. They seem intent on staring at their phones and randomly stepping out from behind a bus or van. Observation and reaction time are key, as is the ability to stop your bike on a sixpence without locking your wheels.

Motorcycles are able to use the bus lanes in London, as are taxis. Be wary of the fact that buses stop often, taxis may move in and out of lanes at speed and open doors right in your path. You’ll also be closer to the pedestrians here who could decide to step out into the road, getting rather too up close and personal for anyone’s liking.

For the most part, riding in London is something of a necessity and not undertaken for fun. It can be exhilarating however, as long as you can hold your nerve, keep calm and remember that normal rules seem not to apply too much. Staying alert, vigilant and ready to act quickly will stand you in good stead for tackling the many challenges that London’s streets like to throw at you.