cycling in london
links
introduction
Cycling in London is one of those things that you get used to. If you don't do it, just standing at the side of the road watching the traffic is pretty terrifying. Actually it's pretty scary if you have a bike with you too, but you kind of get used to it. The trick, I think, is to take it easy when you start, so that you don't get killed before you've sussed it out.
Here are some thoughts on how to hack around the city without ending up under anyone's wheels. There are certainly lots of ways to do that other than mine, but I thought that a few hints may be useful to someone.
Lawyers should note that in the uk people are still responsible for their own actions. If I dare to point out that cyclists may increase their chances of survival by running the odd red light, it's a comment on the way things are, not an encouragement to anyone to break the law.
dangerous stuff
Cycling in London would be fine if it weren't for the hazards:
- traffic lights
- taxis
- buses
- bendy buses
- pedestrians
- cars
- horse turds
- fumes
- 4x4s
- people movers
- white vans
- motorbikes
- cyclists
- bike paths
- rain
- …
No doubt I missed out whatever it is will catch me next, but you get the general idea. There are lots of things out there, and most of them will hurt if they hit you. Or if you hit them.
It'll probably get easier if they crank up the congestion charge some more, and widen the area covered by it. I know daily mail readers will squeal about that, but I hope they don't get their way.
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