Are you too scared to cycle in London?

andy · November 2013

https://twitter.com/Tom_Cheal/status/402843248684584962

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djmattyoung · November 2013

He can be a right tit, doesn't seem like he knows what to do and just coming out with sound bites. <div><br></div><div>I hope Boris takes his own advice & wears a helmet, hi vis and doesn't talk on his phone. <div><br></div><div><img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/4/7/1239117467627/Boris-Johnson-cycling-in--002.jpg"></div></div>

vetski · November 2013

@Stella, I guess - if they're not the right people, I should imagine they'll tell you who to contact.

Stella · November 2013

Something I definitely don't do: talking on the phone while cycling. I cycle to the side, stop and then ... carry on cycling, because after ages of rummaging around my rucksack, the caller's given up. haha.<br><br>Vetski: thank you. And thank you for looking out for us cyclists, too. Much appreciated.<br>

Sutent · November 2013

Be careful Stella listening on your headphones. When I am on the road I need all my senses on top form. I nearly saw someone get smashed at a roundabout today. Idiot didn't stop and look right and nearly got hit. I had my heart in my mouth for one second. <div><br></div><div>I saw someone on a blue tooth set talking on the phone. Completely mad!</div>

NorthNineteen · November 2013

<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">Stella: Regina Road is in Islington so you will need to contact:</font><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parking-roads/roadmaintenance/Pages/default.aspx</font></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2"><br></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">Appears you need to be an Islington resident and report it through the eaccount. If you aren't an Islington resident let me know what the problem is and I'll report it.</font></div>

Stella · November 2013

Thanks, North. I'll take a look if the issue is still apparent tomorrow, then report. I'm an Islington resident. <br>

Detritus · November 2013

So why not ban cyclists during rush hour? As they are the ones getting smeared over the tarmac get them off the roads for an hour or two.

Stella · November 2013

I wonder how many cyclists would drive to work if they didn't ride their bikes. My guess is a very small amount as most are more or less cycling to avoid public transport. How many of those accidents were in during rush hour? <br>

Sutent · November 2013

No way ban cyclists at rush hour. i would go mad if i had to get public transport every day (and its not cheap).and driving is impossible in London and very expensive

djmattyoung · November 2013

if you banned cyclist during rush hour I don't think London's roads and public transport would be able to take the numbers getting back in cars or taking buses and tubes. It would just cause more problems for everyone.

Stella · November 2013

I think the little cheeky Detritus was having a bit of fun. :-)<br><br>Cycling won't be banned. It would defy anything the campaigns worked so hard for. <br>

djmattyoung · November 2013

great post in the huff - <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/matt-glass/london-cyclist-deaths_b_4298701.html">http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/matt-glass/london-cyclist-deaths_b_4298701.html</a>;

Chitori · November 2013

<p>"Banning lorries would be a good thing, though, if it helps."</p><p>A lot of other major cities at least restrict access to the centre by large vehicles. They have to get all deliveries done before a fixed time. This should be achievable for London.</p><p>Would be grand to see less cyclists flouting the rules quite so flagrantly. Pedalling like fury and just skimming a red light I could tolerate, but sailing gaily though regardless is just going to rile people. It angers me because cyclists that flout the law (albeit probably a minority) cause drivers to dislike all cyclists. Your epic skills and awareness might not get yourself killed, but end up indirectly getting someone else deaded instead! Grrr. Argh. Etc.</p><p>Thank you for all the welcomes and suggestions for routes. I have thought about the canal. Might chuck it in occasionally to mix things up.</p>

ShaunG · November 2013

@chitori - I cycle to Westminster from SGR. I start as you described - St Thomas's road and round the emirates, cross over Holloway Rd and Liverpool Rd to get to Westbourne and Thornhill through to Amwell Street and Roseberry Avenue (as Kreuzkav described). At the Mount Pleasant Sorting office crossroads there are two choices, shortest distance or fastest journey. Going left down farringdon and along the embankment to Westminster is definitely longer but also a few minutes faster than the alternative. Going straight ahead though clerkenwell, following the road round to holborn, then cut through seven dials and st martins lane to Trafalgar Square and Whitehall, is the shortest route but with so any traffic lights it takes longer.

NorthNineteen · November 2013

The faster route will become even safer once the segregated E-W and N-S superhighways are built on Farrindon Road and Embankment.<br>

Ali · November 2013

ShaunG<div><br></div><div>The route you describe is pretty safe on mainly back streets. There are approx 17 sets of lights on it so journey time can vary depending on how many reds you get.</div>

Stella · November 2013

I'm hanging my head in shame: forgot to take my rear light with me today and had to cycle home without it. I do have a mightily bright LED front light (hub dynamo) on my mamachari ... I feel a bit 'naked' without the rear light and hate going without it. Shocking, though, the amount of cyclists without lights cruising around.<br>

Sutent · November 2013

Stella as your punishment you can do the lambada with Chang

Stella · November 2013

Oh, I'd love to. Love the Lambada. Since I'm Chang, I'll look like a proper twat, dancing with myself. Ah well. <br>

vetski · November 2013

Do it in the style of Billy Idol & you'll be fine.

kreuzkav · November 2013

More media coverage:<div><br><div><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24998730">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24998730</a><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>;

Chitori · November 2013

<p>I need to see this Lambada. </p>

Stella · November 2013

Thank you, Kreuzkav.<br><br>I think the number plate idea is ridiculous. All cars have number plates, how many times did I manage to get a shot of it when I was almost pushed off the roads or hindered in any way? Not once. You need to either have a very good memory or quick to grab the mobile to take a picture. If you are able to quickly take a picture, you're most likely speaking on the phone while driving, so that makes you guilty, too. <br><br><br>Love the idea of cyclists being allowed through red lights. Again, a bike on two wheels is small, a cyclists also hasn't any dead angles. So if I cycle through a pedestrian crossing with no pedestrian in sight, I won't hurt anyone. Even if one suddenly comes shooting out from behind, as they do, he or she can see if I'm moving, for my feet are moving, and will possibly go round behind me. Cyclists have a closer 'connection' with pedestrians as we have nothing that stands between us--no big cage.<br>If they're running in front of a car, they can't see if the driver puts the foot on the pedal, an impact with a car --even slow moving--could break your leg. Cars are also far bigger. <br><br>On bigger junctions, what the article aims at, it's most certainly an improvement to let cyclists go through red light. Problem is: if the cyclists doesn't pay attention, then s/he'd be mangled over by the traffic coming from the right. A good example would be end of Endymion Rd./Green Lanes. Super tight corner, but fast traffic, including buses and lorries from the right. <br><br>Headphones: well, I'm someone who rides with quiet background music. I can hear the traffic and hold a conversation with you, too. I find drivers who have their music so loud that it's almost bursting their windows far more dangerous. Or people who have conversations when driving.<br><br>All my senses are awake when cycling. But that's me, not everyone else. I don't know how distracted others are when cycling with music. <br>

djmattyoung · November 2013

I saw a cyclist jump 2 red lights in Angel yesterday and not notice there was a police motorbike behind him, he got pulled over (no idea if it was just a talk or a fine). <div><br></div><div>Saw him again today and he did exactly the same thing jumping the same red lights. He cycled liked an idiot. </div>

Stella · November 2013

Cycling like an idiot is only okay if you know what you're doing (like most experience couriers). They always look like they have a death wish, but they really know their bikes. <br>I was thinking about working as a courier, but with my shite sense of direction and my 'careful' cycling, I would starve. lol<br>

Detritus · November 2013

Stella its not ok it's against the law. Black and white.

checkski · November 2013

Yay! Once again I agree with Detritus. Where will this end?

Stella · November 2013

Ah, no pain no gain. :-)<br>

Stella · November 2013

Stupid woman behind me in a car: first she drives right into the cycle box behind me--possibly afraid the bus behind her is going to squash her arse, then she beeps at me when I don't make a move immediately at green lights. Well, lucky for me (unlucky for her), I use my brain and eyes and if I had just gone--because it's green for me--I'd have ended up under a car. Yay. Two cars crossed my way, turning into Church Street. Tough, she wanted to go left, whereas I turned right and was right in the middle of the road. She didn't like it. Some people do make me laugh.<br>

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Are you too scared to cycle in London?

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