This morning's commute and other commuting stories

New bike + new route (3 parks) make Sid a very happy rider.

I had a theory that increases in poor driving was as a result of changing conditions, e.g.

• Schools going back
  
• Sunset before -> after commute and vice-versa
  
• Hour forward/back
  
• Heavy rain during the summer
  
  

Now, I'm not so sure, it happens all the time!

Going straight over Old St roundabout. Left hand lane, secondary position.

On my right a cyclist glides past and I assume they're going straight on too. Nope... lightning flash pathetic arm signal (they can't bear to take both hands off the handlebars) and it turns out they want to turn right, across all the traffic that's heading straight on. Much squealing of brakes, honking of horns and gnashing of teeth. Heart in mouth stuff. She must do this manoeuvre every day, amazing.

I swerve to my left to avoid the carnage and discover I'm being undertaken by another wobbly one. We nearly collide.

Pah!

Goes to shit when the clocks change

There used to be some really wanky highway code advice for cyclists suggesting that if you didn't feel confident going around roundabouts you should go round in the left-hand lane, even if not coming off at the first exit.

I just lifted this from the current HC. It must be written by idiots. I certainly wouldn't use their advice on Old Street roundabout ...

If you decide to ride round keeping to the left-hand lane you should

be aware that drivers may not easily see you

take extra care when cycling across exits. You may need to signal right to show you are not leaving the roundabout

watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout

that roundabout is a shocker but at the same time its kinda fun. Its my mid commute alarm clock to make sure I'm awake. (when I'm not face planting at the lights like i did the other week)

The HC's other advise is to walk round on the verge/footway, which is reasonable if you're not a confident rider. There's no mention of "be assertive" and "occupy your lane", which IMHO is what is required to ride a roundabout like the Old Street one.

I love riding round Old Street roundabout, it can be lots of fun. I live almost next to it, so I ride it regularly.

That's bonkers! I can't believe the HC is recommending such risky behaviour.

On the corner of Clapham Road (A3) and Union Road around 8.30 - saw a police car pulled up on the road and a van just after in an awkward position. Officers were helping a cyclist in a hi-viz up. Didn't see much more but the whole situation looked pretty nasty!

I'm not going to defend the Highway Code, which in many respects is very poor, but note that the full rules for roundabouts are here:

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html

Almost all of these rules also apply to cyclists. You've only quoted the (admittedly ridiculous, and it certainly shouldn't exist, as it is very bad advice) Rule 77.

There's a well-established ritual now that every few years, cycle campaigners have to fight a rearguard action against these rules being made even worse. The CTC is much to be commended for its excellent work on preventing this.

I love riding round Old Street roundabout, it can be lots of fun. I live almost next to it, so I ride it regularly.

You do realise what they're proposing to do to it, don't you?

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/old-street-roundabout/

As a traffic scheme, it's even worse than the Elephant and Castle disaster, and that's saying something.

Yes, I agree with you Oliver, the HC cycling section (particularly Rule 77) is very poor.

That scheme for Old Street roundabout looks quite bad. I couldn't find a proposed date for commencing their works (perhaps I missed it). Any idea when that might be?

looks bonkers, first time I've seen it so thanks for sharing. maximum emphasis on future oversite development potential rather than making surrounding infrastructure more coherent, it seems.

What in fuck's cock is that?!?

All they needed to do is widen and compulsorise(gr?) the cycle lanes entering the ASLs.

I thought this was scrapped?

Eitherway, it's pretty ridiculous and inelegant. There are alternatives to gyratories but this is a butchering.

What I really don't get is that they go through all that work and keep that horrible fucking sculpture.

On the plus side, it does reclaim some walkable space.

The scheme is basically driven by TfL's insistence on maximum through motor traffic capacity for the Inner Ring Road and land speculators' desire to plonk a big tower block in the centre of the junction. That said, the idea for such a scheme originally came from the London Borough of Islington, largely because they had the Archway and Highbury Corner roundabouts, at both of which there is something worth preserving in the centre, so a peninsula design, though sub-optimal, made some sense. Certainly not at this location.

There's been no news on when it's due to start, and one can only hope that it's being reconsidered under the new administration. I'm not holding my breath, though. It could start anytime soon.

I thought this was scrapped?

I haven't heard anything about that. It would be good if that was the case. The junction needs to be returned to a proper crossroads.

On the plus side, it does reclaim some walkable space.

As I hinted at in my other post, the worry about that was that they'd build a massive tower block on top. Note that cycling wouldn't have been permitted across the north-west corner.

I have started rushing off the lights at Fenchurch street and purposefully dawdling in front of the overly aggressive cyclist that wears the full face helmet + spotlight. Gives me a little chuckle.

#PettyRevenge

If you're going to pedant you have to pedant properly...

"Braking"

Along Whitechapel Rd CS2 this morning someone driving a white Prius cut across the cycle lane, then stopped for someone crossing, blocking the cycle lane and causing a guy in front of me to go into the back of it. Driver then drove off.

The guy hopped straight back up on the bike and said they were fine, but if you're on here / know tall guy with red hair and grey padded jacket, I had a GoPro under my handlebars so if you want the video give me a shout. Should've given my details then and there, but I'd forgot it was filming.

Managed to stack it in Putney just on the bottom corner of the Rowing Club pub on a oily bit of road. Very sore wrist and arse. Saw 2 other people do the same within 30secs of me as well.

Tweeted Wandsworth Council - anything else I can do about it?

If the driver was really a problem (i.e. you don't want them on the road) you should hand it to the police anyway, I expect they will able to deal with the driver even if the cyclist can't be found.

I'd heard as such. Just trying to find any news about scrap.

Heard through girlfriend who knows somebody that worked on the initial proposals.

I think there would be public backlash if they tried to put a tower there. Is it feasible? Thought the underground / TFL sub level infrastructure on the site made it difficult?

Disappointing re: lack of City rd -> Old St cycle cut through. Seems like a missed opportunity, but I guess that would make sense in the context of the above.