Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ruthdes]

This is a question for the cyclists out there.

My friend and I would like to cross the Han River on our bikes, but it appears to be quite difficult to do safely. We live in Gangnam, and want to cross the Hannam Bridge, but that requires getting to the middle of Gangnam Ro in Sinsa and using the (car) underpass to get access to the bridge. I'm not so confident a bike rider that I'd feel safe doing that in Seoul traffic, but there are no footpaths in that area either.

Is there a trick we're missing? Do we need to go to a different bridge? Do we just need to grow a pair and brave the traffic?

How do you do it?
Cheers

[Mikejelai]

My wife and I walked on the sidewalk (protected from the traffic by a 1M high wall) last Sunday on the bridge that the #3 subway line crosses. No problem (other than her complaining about the long walk). Took about 20 minutes, I guess.

[talltony4]

I think you just need to get down to the river somehow, then climb onto the bridge via the pedestrian/bike access that starts from the cycle path.

quite a few of the Han river bridges are like that. Much easier to access from the riverside than from the road

[chuckycheese]

Gangnam is kinda in the middle of nowhere bike wise.
However, most of the bridges east of there are pretty good for bikes. You can get on them from the han river bike path.
Also if you can get to cheongdam or seoulleung station it is pretty easy to get the bike path

[sunnyvale]

Banpo Bridge is the next bridge northwest from the Hannam Bridge and it is safe to cross. There are two levels to the bridge, one is about 6 feet from the surface of the river. I'd recommend this bridge since there is a nice park on either side of the river.

[Todstar]

I cycle all over Gangnam but never use the roads unless its the small side streets, its what most of the locals do as well - wouldnt recommend getting involved in the traffic!

[Alphabet_Stew]

You have to wait until its a very cold winter and the river has frozen, then ride across on the ice. (Thats what they used to do prior to 1950).

[working title]

[djsmnc]

How do you get across the Han on your bike?

You ride it!

[Julius]

[Ruthdes]

Thanks for the useful responses! It seems that it may be best to hit the Han bike track upstream from the Hannam Bridge, the carry the bike up the stairs. It's just that tricky bit of getting past that overpass/underpass part in Sinsa that's been bothering me.

As to Julius, I would recommend reading the previous posts before you make a smart arse comment. Really, there were only 9...was it that hard?

And djsmnc...wow....

[RMNC]

Don't worry djsmnc I support your right to make bad jokes, unlike SOME people.

[climber159]

Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzB3A82LMY

[IlIlNine]

Im pretty sure hannam bridge has a sidewalk.. at least on the west side. google maps or daum is your friend...

[Ruthdes]