Each day this week, G2 is publishing tips on how to get the most out of cycling in UK cities. To open the series, Zoe Williams presents her alternative highway code – and advice on the best routes through London.
Category Archives: Bikes
Parking problems and congestion
4×4 too big to fit in one car park space? Rather than buying two tickets, why not get the bus?
Worried about getting stuck in queues of traffic when the Eastern Transport Corridor work causes disruption on Haughton Road? Ride your bike or walk.
Saddled with traffic – or dodging the pedestrians
THE bike slowly wobbles along St Cuthbert’s Way, past the magistrates’ court and police station.
It clings nervously to the kerb as huge buses, lorries, and vans zoom past it.
The bike reaches Victoria Road roundabout, near Feethams, and comes to an uncertain stop.
advertisementAs the cyclist waits to turn right, the truck in front spits fumes over him. The cars behind rev menacingly.
This is cycling on Darlington’s ring road – intimidating and unpleasant.
A feature article, Saddled with traffic – or dodging the pedestrians by Owen Amos appeared in today’s Northern Echo on page 11, and is available online.
York Critical Mass
Slightly old news, but i thought it might be of interest.
Around 30 people took part in this month’s Critical Mass bike ride on Friday, the second since regular rides restarted. For the first time, a group met on campus before the ride, to cycle in together. There was no Police presence and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Keep the Joy of Cycling Going
You get your first bike at the age of three. You learn to cycle on Xmas Day with your parents in tow. You cycle to school (illegally) on the pavement.
By 2007 you are at secondary school and some smart powers-that-be have built you a fantastic covered bike shed, so you can still cycle to school (illegally) using the pavements and muddy tracks.
Cycling is such a joy at this age. On Sundays you take your bike out to the nearest park and play cycle jumps all afternoon.
But don’t think too far ahead. One day, if these powers-that-be have their way, they will chase you off the pavement and on to their deadly roads. Cycling in this world is all about defence, helmets and reflective clothing. But it doesn’t HAVE to be that way. There are some cyclists out there who want to carry on with the joy well into their old age. “I hope some day you’ll join us” (JL).