Up with the lark and out into 2 degrees! You do have to keep your wits about you
amongst the commuters no matter how many wheels or feet you or they are on.
As I cycled along The Strand a cyclist didn't stop
behind a bus which was next to a stationary one, she just cycled down the
middle in a sort of bus tunnel. A
commuter next to me said "she shouldn't do that" and I totally
agreed. I did wonder why cyclists and
buses are put in the same lanes to share - the buses are always the width of
the lane so you have to wait behind them inhaling their soot or unleaded fumes.
Yuk! Who designs these road layouts? But cycling inbetween them is a really bad thing to do as there is no guarantee the driver can see the cyclist.
On to Islington where I bumped into a friend on her
Brompton! A quick stop for a chat and
then on to an appointment.
The sun came out and the temperature rose. We were
actually taking off our coats in the sunshine. That's more like it!
On the way home I cycled along a canal and down to the
Sustrans offices in Cowcross Street to deliver something to one of their Bike
It Officers who is having a birthday tomorrow.
Sustrans has some excellent cycling and walking initiatives
going on but it is very disappointing that quite a lot of people have never
heard of them - nearly as disappointing as their name.
To me, Sustrans as a word doesn't capture any
of the excitement of cycling or walking, it sounds like a type of lead pipe or
an engineering term if indeed anything at all.
What a pity it isn't something more fun like "Feet First", or "Footsteps
for the Future", or "Feet for Fun" or something. I am sure there
are much more inspirational, imaginative and creative phrases that paint the
picture of fun created by walking and cycling.
As I cycled back home, the sun was dropping as was
the temperature. I stopped and stared at buildings, rooftops, clocks and views
I have never seen before - only visible because I was on my bike and had time
to look around and about.
What a joy to
be on a bicycle.
A friend of mine tweeted a new initiative by TFL to
promote cycling by providing bicycle stands to employers with more than five
employees. TFL provide some companies with bicycle racks This is a very positive step. Making room for cyclists means less pollution,
better health and without a doubt a whole load of fun!
It made me start thinking about ways to encourage others to cycle. This led me back to the Circle of Gold letters
from the 80s which were basically pyramid selling. The people at the top of the
pyramid were sent money by the people underneath along with 20 new names added
underneath them. I am not entirely sure
they were legal. However, without money changing hands, I wonder if it is
possible to start a Buy a Bicycle Campaign whereby current cyclists encourage
non cyclists to cycle. Hmmmm. I will
think on!
Once home I found that a friend had kindly sent me a
picture of her brother back in 1977 sitting on his bike backwards yet pedalling
and moving all the same.
"Olds wheels it.
Harold Olds says riding a bicycle backwards is not difficult, but most
people who try it give up after their first crash. He rode around backwards
Friday in a Sidney parking lot."
Not to be
tried but proof it can be done (definitely not for the road!).
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