JUST RIDE the BIKE

In 2008 Boris Johnson got off to a bad start on cycling. He reduced London's congestion charge zone and focused on increased traffic flow. Despite this poor start by the end of his second term things were looking quite different. Andrew Gilligan’s influence was in full swing and real change was starting to be seen with Cycle Super Highways that really were super started to be delivered. The changes were not just good for people cycling bundled in were many improvements for th

When you have three young children and use a bike instead of a car to get around, you get used to hearing a lot of myths. You must have lots of spare time (nope) You must be really fit (nope) You must get very sweaty (nope, just take it slow and/or look into electric assist) You must be rich to afford that special kit (not necessarily) It’s dangerous (actually, a sedentary lifestyle is more dangerous, and the kids and I would be exposed to higher levels of pollution inside a

I’ll be honest, I still don’t consider commuter cycling to be proper cycling. As someone, who began racing aged 12, I guess I’ve still got to shake off my hang-ups about commuter cyclists: they’re not proper cyclists, they don’t know how to ride and so on. Too many fixed wheels, too many people not looking when they turn right, too many not indicating, too many with their headphones in, bikes with one brake, bikes with no lights, bikes that are just, well, not meant to be rid

(With thanks to Mark Wagenbuur @BicycleDutch, for this image) Well that was fun. The first part of the ride, along empty roads with distant views of hills and sea, gave that useful real time to dwell on the topics for the meeting ahead. Even that rainstorm on entering the urban roads and city traffic hasn’t dampened spirits, you feel refreshed and energised to take on the world. But then arriving at the building you look for secure cycle storage, only to find no available spa