This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Seems like the shock of the moderate heat is scrambling people's brains.

I've seen my aggressor before but never registered him until today, they're just another rider until they get all shouty.

A question re new cycle lanes (that perhaps @Clockwise knows the answer to); Where cycle lanes come to signalled crossing points (as per E&C), what is their legal status, as far as being part of the highway, and therefore the rules?

It depends entirely on the traffic order that was created to govern their operation. The signing and lining should correctly enable users to act in accordance with that order (effectively communicate the order). Segregated cycle tracks ('lanes' in law, although we tend to use 'tracks' to distinguish them from unsegregated lanes) should formally be part of carriageways, although they don't operate according to the same rules as carriageways adjacent to them, especially not for two-way tracks. So, yes, if there's a red traffic light, you should stop and stay stopped until it goes green. (The level of non-compliance, which tends to be even higher around segregated cycle tracks than in other traffic situations, is one of the problems with them.)

Been commuting using the new north-south cycle superhighway this week and I'm convinced that it's only a matter of time until some serious accidents take place. People overtaking each other and playing chicken with oncomers all for the sake of rushing to an office to perform a job they most likely resent...

Another example being the No Cycling sign and the absurdity that, by the way it's worded, it's only illegal to ride past the sign, but dismounting and pushing past before remounting and riding on after the sign seems to be fine.

No. The sign usually doesn't just apply to a particular point, but to a length of link--again, it depends on the traffic order behind it. I'm assuming you mean one on a highway. Take a 'no cycling' sign at a motorway entrance. It is certainly not legally acceptable to pass this on foot and then remount and ride along the motorway. Away from a highway, the situation is more muddled, of course. 'No cycling' might be governed by a bye-law, or a private landowner might choose to erect their own signs. I don't know what force they would have in the latter case, and bye-laws that need enforcement generally don't work. :)

Been commuting using the new north-south cycle superhighway this week and I'm convinced that it's only a matter of time until some serious accidents take place. People overtaking each other and playing chicken with oncomers all for the sake of rushing to an office to perform a job they most likely resent...

The question is always whether there will be more serious incidents than before implementation of the tracks. I share your worry, but risk-taking behaviour that is alarming and confusing doesn't always produce what you expect. It is certainly known that cycle tracks don't mix speeds well, but in London fast riders do have the option of staying in the carriageway (unlike in the Netherlands and other countries, where you're compelled to use a cycle track where one exists). We know that on the A118 Stratford High Street injuries to cyclists went up hugely in the first year of operation (2014) of the new cycle tracks, but we don't know how high cycle flows are almost anywhere (where cycling takes place, you can expect people to crash), one year's worth of data isn't enough to draw conclusions (you need at least three, ideally more, plus a baseline), and the designs around the E&C are very different. Also, data from similar designs around the world isn't strictly applicable, as the London context is really quite unique. In all cases, it's best to wait for the evidence to come in, but that will take a while.

On the bus again due to stuck cassette woes. -9000/10

Beautiful morning - t-shirt and jeans weather.

E&C actually functions pretty well when it's not over capacity - although there were more peds wandering around in the cycle lane behind the bus stops today. One lady walking in the direction of cyclists' travel along the very well-marked cycle lane - but a ding of the bell and an 'excuse me' soon sorted that out.

Other than that, pretty perfect morning. 9.5/10

I don't get this - what did he imagine was the transgression? Making him look slow?

Aside from the lovely sunshine, the journey into work this morning was eventful. Because I'm selling my brother's bike (plus people don't want to venture to Beckton) I had to ride his massive 58cm bike to work, which mean lowering the saddle and riding with no clip-on shoes. No padded shorts meant no protection to the crown jewels too.

Plus riding a big bike trying to filter was definitely a challenge.

But the sun is out and one can't complain too much because it is a Friday! 6/10

Hard to say, I ride a Brompton so maybe.

Had a mooch along the new e/w and n/s tracks yesterday, very pleasant all round. Notable spots: A family cycling along tower hill, lots of messenger riders using the tracks, the junction just west of Blackfriars getting blocked by queuing traffic, the utter removal of the hassle that riding in London can bring.

Pulled my demin shorts on, and a pair of fancy The Athletic socks for good measure. Tower Bridge north was mysteriously empty of traffic, so had a fun little sprint there for once.
What a fucking glorious day it is. I'm colour grading though so I will not see the sun until lunchtime.

Ride it like you've stolen it.

changed my hours at work to start at 7.30 rather than 8.30. Ride in is so much nicer that early, have added on a few extra miles in a big pointless loop for the sheer joy of sunny morning riding.

Pretty much look like that this morning

#brodoyouevenbikefit

T-shirt.

10/10

rather than usual CS7, decided to turn off at Oval to Vauxhall > North embankment. was late into work, but bloody lovely cycling next to the river. Parliament Square a bit of a mess tho - heading back towards the river the lights were green for cars but red for cycles for a while... and obviously all the cyclists just acted like cars as they're perfectly allowed to do.

highlight was a brompton rider with shirt, chinos and aero helmet w/ full face visor.

Cycle lanes and cabbies.

"£170 million and they won't use it"

Possibly because it's in totally the wrong place.

Crash at Vauxhall going towards Oval. Large man on a tiny pinnacle's pedal clipped the pavement and went over right in front of me. Avoided it, stopped to make sure he was ok - he went right over bars. He was very manly about it, shrugged it off and on his way with a hole in arm.

Other than that, bloody brilliant. Sun shining and weather sweet. Lots of people out in it.

9/10

Le[ea] Valley. So. Many. Flies.
Lovely evening but 'kin 'ell I need to get some sunglasses and keep my mouth shut (something I'm sure we can all agree on)

You need a thingy to go over you mouth. I use a buff cut into thirds. Look for freebies on the front of magazines, they're freebies so just take them and leave the magazine on the shelf.

Or I could just develop a taste for the things.

Fuck. Every year I forget the difference the weather makes to my sweat levels. Warm = wet and drippy.

Cut the buff into thirds in the shop and leave two for other people to benefit. Cut up the magazine too in case people want it with their buff strips

I've used the Blackfriars road - E&C cycle lane a couple of times now. Heading South, it's certainly preferable to getting snarled up in the traffic before you hit the bridge. The danger from cars remains in that they can still cut across your path turing into side roads, as one did to a guy ahead of me on the way North from St George's Circus who managed to stop just in time. You also have to be much more vigilant about the actions of your fellow cyclists. People turn right across you without looking. A woman in front of me slapped a passing roadie hard in the face by signalling right without looking behind. And there are too many bellends going way too fast, as if it's their right. I suspect some kind of etiquette will start to establish itself but for now it all feels a bit wild west.