CYCLING

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A Beginners Guide to Cycling in London (By a Beginner)

Types of Drivers

Please enjoy some of my total generalisations on the people who drive around London. I find it helps me to let off steam!!!

Black Cab Drivers

Now I know what you might be thinking. When I mention Taxi drivers you think of that loveable cockney who gave you a ride in the back of his hackney carriage and conversed with you on subjects as wide as darts, philosophy, Moroccan cooking and Jenny Agutter.

You probably think of Charlie Slater from Eastenders? Isn't he just so cuddly? A widower who works all the hours God allows and all to "provide for me gurls". Beaten to the bosom of Peggy Mitchell by his child abusing brother, never did enough to protect little Mo from Trevor, he is essentially a flawed tryer. But he is a top man and no mistake. I would gladly have a game of darts and scan the Racing Post with the lad in the Queen Vic anytime.

However, seat him in the cockpit of his black box of death and his character quickly changes. Where once exists the milk of human kindness, now flows the acid blood of a merciless road mower.

Essentially:

+ =

I often get the feeling that cabbies would get a kick of going back to the pub and telling their mates how many cyclists they crushed under their wheels that morning. They are the anti-cyc and should always be treated as such.

White van man

He doesn't care because it's often not even his van!

Football mums

In America they call them soccer mums but we're not in America are we? An increasing number of people carriers seemed to be wielded by woman driving their kids to school. You would think that this was a low risk enemy group. However, these people carriers represent a clear and present danger to the cyclists safety. Some of the most thoughtless driving I have ever seen has come from mums driving kiddies to schools in people carriers, or worse still 4x4 combine harvesters. I accept that they probably have no idea that they nearly killed you but is that an excuse?

Boy racer

Need I say more. They burn past you at 50mph and you overtake them within half a mile. Where has all that horse power got you now eh pal?

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I'm pleased I got all that off my chest...