Reply to: Does anyone here Cycle to work ??

[dang65]

I can't imagine how that could happen. Unless of course, you were illegally overtaking on the left...

I was cycling behind him, about a metre away from the kerb and a few metres back from him, standard cycling position, both of us doing about 20mph. He suddenly slammed his brakes on and swung left into a side turning with no warning whatsoever. No way I could stop in time and I went straight into the side of him as he turned. One broken arm, one sprained wrist, bike written off.

Managed to get contact details of very kind witness, who had been waiting to pull out of the same turning and had seen everything right in front of his eyes. Have to do that sort of thing as quickly as possible in cases like that when you're injured because after about 15 minutes shock sets in and you start feeling nauseus and wobbly and can't really do anything. Up till then you run on adreneline and it looks like you're fine. I imagine a lot of people say, "No, I'm fine, don't worry about me," and then regret not getting details when they realise they're actually quite badly hurt.

Was very grateful for the witness as the van driver denied everything and his lawyer wrote to me claiming I was a professional cycle courier and my whole life was dedicated to trying to get myself killed by decent and honest motorists like his client and I'd never get a penny from them. I was a project manager with BT at the time and had been for several years. I won compensation - new bike and train fares paid for while I was recovering and couldn't cycle - nothing exciting.

So, no, I wasn't illegally undertaking on the left, though obviously that would be the natural assumption, me being a maniac on a bike and the van driver being an upstanding payer of "road tax". (You considered becoming a lawyer? )

[barely_pointless]

Darkness is a problem for me in winter...well that and the fact londoners driving abilities are in direct proportion to the weather you are travelling in!

I rode in London for about 4 years and only had probs with white van men.

Change "Londoners" to "Chinese Aussies" and if the winter months here in Sydney mean it is dark at 1630 , then no amount of Political correctness will get me to renege the statement that "HK and Shanghai Chinese are just shocking drivers, even in cars, but especially to cyclists". They can barely manage a car, and we expect them to be aware of cyclists ? rather hopeful one thinks.

I'd laugh about it, but not if I'm riding a bike, they really are the worst drivers I have ever seen.

The fact that it is darkness gives excuses and has alot to do with their culture, if it is acceptable to "not see" someone in daylight then can you imagine the puffing, grimacing and looking skywards that would ensue if they knocked someone off in darkness ?

[VectraMan]

Yes, I've commuted by bike for nearly 20 years now. Was knocked off once by a van hanging a left without any indication and in front of witnesses.

I can't imagine how that could happen. Unless of course, you were illegally overtaking on the left...

[Burdock]

I cycle in to the office when I can, usually 1-2 times per week! 22 miles each way, not keen when its raining though!

It makes up for being deskbound all day

A rare foray into 'General' for Alan

Now get back to my accounts

[Nixon Williams]

I cycle in to the office when I can, usually 1-2 times per week! 22 miles each way, not keen when its raining though!

It makes up for being deskbound all day

[n5gooner]

I used to do it in all weathers, had a good set of BLT Lights, my problem is lugging in the Office clothes and also gym clothes for the lunch time session.

[dang65]

Totally agree - for me traditionally it has been ice (not often these days) and unlit roads that is the barrier.

Yeah, black ice used to be a wicked hazard in the olden days, but as you say that's pretty much disappeared now. Those rechargeable halogen lamps are superb on genuinely dark roads. Got mine for about 50 quid on eBay.

[Sysman]

Y
Distance is the only issue with cycling to work

For me, the issue has always been lack of showers at work.

[Mailman]

Darkness is a problem for me in winter...well that and the fact londoners driving abilities are in direct proportion to the weather you are travelling in!

Although most of the bike in to work is down cable street where there are clearly marked cycle lanes (and bugger all traffic) but still well short of having segregated cycle lanes though! but I guess thats about as good as they will get in London?

Mailman

[Shimano105]

Never understood this thing about stopping for winter. It's only a couple of degrees cooler most the time, and most the roads are fully lit and the traffic hardly moving. Why stop just because the month name changes?

Totally agree - for me traditionally it has been ice (not often these days) and unlit roads that is the barrier. May have to get a SON & dynohub if the commuting bug bites

[dang65]

Never understood this thing about stopping for winter. It's only a couple of degrees cooler most the time, and most the roads are fully lit and the traffic hardly moving. Why stop just because the month name changes?

[Churchill]

I live in Cambridge and it's full of bastards cycling to work. I hate them!

[Shimano105]

Hardly ever done it actually!

Always worked 20 hilly miles + away from work with menacing roads.

I am going to start doing this soon in order to get miles in before nights draw in.

Suggest ride in, train home, train in ride home for a while. Need to leave some clothes at work for that though.

[Euro-commuter]

20p per mile..... actually know someone who claims it!

Warren Buffet started with a paper round, and claimed the cost of the bike against tax. The idea has a good pedigree.

[cailin dana]

20p per mile..... actually know someone who claims it!