This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Fuck those selfish cunts riding on the left up Tower Bridge, means those selfless people in large motorised vehicles sometimes nearly actually kill me swerving into my path while I overtake in the accepted and correct position.

Oh it’s the correct position. Guess i’ll cycle up the middle then. Sorry for calling everyone cunts guys.

Other bridges are available.

Has anyone suggested cycle training? That is also available.

Oh snap, I was the other rider that stopped to check if he was alright. I got a full view of the collision, It was a full on, limbs everywhere and the ped sprinted off leaving behind a can of catfood.
Just missed the few seconds before to figure out what happened though.

Was only trying to point out that skimming along by the kerb isn’t the recommended way to pass/filter. Maybe willmelling said that too.

More often than not I ride where you are, as traffic flow means motors are passing me.

Anyone know what happened on Tooley street this morning about 8:35? Pedestrian being tended to in the middle of the road at the lights but no obvious causes?

Really hope it wasnt a hit and run

I understand it like this. If the traffic is stationary, you're filtering. If its moving then you're undertaking. And we all know undertaking is for bellends :)

Exactly what I was thinking. Being generous, there's a grey area where cars are moving so slowly they're as good as stationary because you can be sure you'll be past them before they have a chance to change their line. So if you're concerned about swerving, you're undertaking, not filtering.

Fingerless gloves was a poor choice since tiny bits of ice were landing on me as i went through Bethnal Green at 7.45am.

#dontlean today up in Leeds.

Snow tyres next week?

I’m currently down in Australia’s central coast, where it’s 33c. I get back to London next Thursday where snow is forecast. Seriously?

It's going to be 36c on weds apparently, nice little boost before you get somewhere cold.

My wife and I have a discussion every year about whether it is better going to Australia at the start of winter, middle or end. I'm a middle of winter guy, seems obvs.

So would the suggestion be left-hand side when cars are stationary. Middle of the lane when traveling at the same speed as traffic. On the right/overtaking when moving faster than traffic?

Almost but just think when you are passing a stationary car you are going faster than them and do that on the right too.

^ this guy hemispheres

I mean yeah, it makes sense to filter up the right too, but it is acceptable to do it on the left

If it's narrow to the point you post online about a recurring risk of being crushed while filtering on the left then it's most likely one of the places where it's not an acceptable amount of space to filter on the left.

Small world! Apparently ped looked straight at rider then they did the thing where they both move in the same direction

Peds and riders here could benefit from some street experience in South East Asia :)

The ped always moves forwards, at a predictable pace, and the traffic always passes behind them. Everyone knows which way to move.

But don't ever, ever stop or step backwards while crossing the road over there!

The "rabbit in the headlights" reaction - freezing and giving the impression you might jump in either direction at any moment - is terrifying to face, and pretty common here :(

But as we started - if you're worried about someone "swerving" to the left, they must be moving, and therefore you must be undertaking. Surely no one swerves their stationary car out of the way of an oncoming bike?

Ride home from a central-ish Wests was a bit hairy. Notting Hill westwards, a 'W'-reg bmw saloon gently brushes against my right calf. My cheery suggestion they steer away from me was scarcely acknowledged. I think they just didn't see me.
Leaving Shepherds Bush Green along the Uxbridge Road a shit brown Prius driven by a presumably shit driver who decided he needed the yard of tarmac by the kerb more than me. Removed my right hand from the handlebar just before his lhs wing mirror would have made contact. Smacking his roof woke him up.

Scary stuff, glad you escaped unharmed both times.

Have you considered weaponised d-lock training?