2009-04-05 - Rider Down, Old Street roundabout Shoreditch exit

That is a horrible junction. I go past it from Old Street roundabout to Commercial Street every morning.

As Mr Smith said, better to arrive late or leave early than risk life or limb there.

I'm still a bit of a green-horn when it comes to fixed wheel (6 months or so) but I've been riding free wheel in London for about 8 Years.

It sounds a bit simple but I believe in using the empty space when riding. Go where vehicles and pedestrians are not. On busy city streets I personally don't care if this means occassionally jumping lights, overtaking traffic, using pavements etc. As long as you are not putting anyone out. But the best way to achieve empty space is to know your short cuts and quiet back streets. Avoid the busy roads and juctions. I absolutely agree that junction at old street is horrible, there has got to be a way to avoid it. Take a detour, use the backstreets. The extra exercise will do you good.

The golden rule though is you've got to be hyper-aware ALWAYS. This is the only way to be safe, especially if you dabble in the illegal (jumping lights etc).

At the end of the day it is all about risk: riding in London is a risk, jumping lights is a risk, over taking bendy busses is a risk. But what I always keep in mind is that if I exit this world flying head first through a windscreen because of my own mistake a number of lives are going to be ruined. Sometimes it's not just your own risk you are taking (With the greatest respect to those cyclists who have been injured or killed).

Ps. By the way if any of you veterans think I've got it wrong please correct me, I'm riding home in a minute!