Why does being on a bike in London cause so much conflict? (this time, a jaywalker)

on the strand also this morning, i jummped some lights at a ped crossing that had just gone red. there was no-one crossing from the left so the people crossing from the right hadn't even reached the island in the middle. in short i was miles from them. as i cycled away a bloke in a spivvy suit walked out into the road deliberately and tried to stand in front of me as i tried to go round him he shouted "they apply to you too" at me and tried to get right in my face.

ha ha soo true I find on the Strand if there's stationery traffic, and a pedestrian crossing, there will be someone on the crossing 100% of the time, whether the light is red or not.

in fact, when I ride on the Strand, I always sit right back on the saddle because it is entirely luck whether or not you hit someone walking in front of a bus. If you sit back on the saddle you're more stable at least. I also kind of zig zag (while checking over my shoulder). If you are carving, it's much easier to stop/go round idiot pedestrians than if you ride in a straight line. Also it means if you hit anyone, the (tougher) side of your body will take the impact, instead of your front wheel. But you have to be very careful about motorcyclists and cyclists coming up silently behind you and not expecting you to ride in a zig-zag.

be particularly careful when the theatres are closing too, i find (about 9). Lots and lots of elderly tourists. It is actually safer to ride on the pavement on the south side of the Strand at this time, I find.

i actually sent a guy flying on the strand once.