Depressing - cycling not fixed related

to counter this depressing talk, i am encouraged to regularly see a mother cycling her kids around hampstead (of all places) in one of those cargo bikes with seats in the front. saw another one today at russell square.

That's London I'm afraid..I spent my entire teenage life in fear of being mugged or stabbed. However I always felt safer on a bike than I did walking—that's still the same now. Of course you still get all the "That's a nice biiikeee bruv, let me hold it for you.. still" when you go to the shop or whatever, but you do also have the ability to get out of there quick.

I don't live in the best area now (some cab drivers still won't drop me off at my house), but all the times I've found myself in potentially dangerous situation I've always been on my bike and very grateful for the ability to get myself out of trouble by making a getaway.

As DFP says, it's probably a matter of getting him to ride on the road and getting a bike that isn't flashy and it will probably make his life easier rather than harder.

When I was his age, one of the main reasons I would cycle everywhere was so that I didn't have to walk home because it was walking home that made me feel unsafe (mugged once when walking home, hassled countless times). Unless you're riding really slowly, I think you're far less likely to get robbed than walking / on a bus. (...)

agreed. (coming from berlin).
appear fit; drive safe, but fast.

I live in Hackney and yes it was tough growing up as a kid. The problem is, you grow up around these people and if they know where you lvie, it's basically bullying.

Now I am a huge boxing fan, go gym and can look after myself, but when I was younger, even walking with a football was a risk of getting it stolen.

It was the same for me when growing up in West Philly.
There were these couple of guys who were up to no good always causing trouble in my neighbourhood.
I ended up in one little fight and my Mum got scared and instead of standing up to these bullies, she said that I was going to move in with my Autie and Uncle in Bel-Air.

Repped.

In the grand scheme of things- If you're not showy- London's alright.

It was the same for me when growing up in West Philly.
There were these couple of guys who were up to no good always causing trouble in my neighbourhood.
I ended up in one little fight and my Mum got scared and instead of standing up to these bullies, she said that I was going to move in with my Autie and Uncle in Bel-Air.

Been sending messages into tv shows lately?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZUB0kLLBUA

In the grand scheme of things- If you're not showy- London's alright.

biiiiiiiiiiiingo! that little bloke from Putney got it right in the hole!

Ha, I live near putney, I can't imagine the kids round here giving anyone any shit

Not just teenage kids who have to worry about getting their bikes nicked. Twice this week groups of lads have tried to get me off my bike, in burgess park and the surrey canal path behind Peckham library.

I make a point of never going near either of those places, well dodgy.

I was chatting to a neighbour's 16 year old kid last night (no jokes necessary, thank you).

Really depressing. He has a bike which he never ever uses. The first reason is the obvious one, he doesn't feel safe on London roads.

But the other reason, which seemed to be as important to him if not more so, was that he just did not feel confident that he wouldn't get stopped / attacked / mugged for it by gangs / groups of his peers.

Maybe this post is pointless but it just really depressed me.

Good post, Jeez. The first point is obviously easily addressed--cycling as part of London traffic is perfectly safe, although people shouldn't expect to enjoy it without a bit of training. The personal safety side I can't comment on at all--I've heard this sort of story before, but being grown-up(ish), I have no experience of this myself.

There are a number of good cycling clubs in that area--Lea Valley Youth CC, East London Velo, Cycling Club Hackney, etc. All do good youth work.

He could also go up to the Redbridge Cycle Circuit at Hog Hill to get a bit of riding in. It's not far away and there's definitely no chance of being mugged when on the circuit, although I don't know about the journey there and back.

The best thing would obviously be to get more other local kids on bikes, but unfortunately LB Newham isn't exactly the best place for that. It has seriously depressed levels of cycling owing to a lack of good routes into the centre and a local authority that has been indifferent for years. Newham Cyclists are doing good work, but it's going to take a while. They recently got the Mayor of Newham on a bike, which is as good a start as any.

I think the people that have "issues" need to have more back bone, I was born and bred in London and have never had a problem that escalated to something serious, there may have been a few problems but they where easily sorted out. "puts flame suit on"

stratford btw.

Yeah... Tough.
I live nearby and my almost 17yo stepdaughter doesn't go there anymore. Too much hassle, being repeatedly asked about her endz and for the phone number (they check if the number is right on spot, still holding your arm - if she refuses threats start rolling).
It's hard to be decent with gangs around you, on the buses, on the way to school/college etc. I don't even remember how many mobiles I had to replace taken of her on the bus by other girls.

Not had any particularly bad experiences over the last few years. Got attacked on greendale about 3 years ago now (walking), was a bit apprehensive about walking up/down it, but now after ages i cycle it daily and dont really worry anymore..

Of course you still get all the "That's a nice biiikeee bruv, let me hold it for you.. still"

burst out laughing when i read that.

From reading this thread London is a no go area my kids grew up ok with no problems, whats the shit?

It all really depends where exactly you live, what school you go to, what you are up to yourself, what ethnicity you are...

I don't even remember how many mobiles I had to replace taken of her on the bus by other girls.

Tynan security paste?

Seriously though, travelling via walking streets, waiting at bus stops and actually being on buses is the worst possible thing you could do if you were concerned about such confrontations.

Is it pheasible for her to cycle or get a moped?

you are white Polish in East London whats the problem? oh and I went to the one the worst schools in West London, Christopher Wren ;0

It all really depends where exactly you live, what school you go to, what you are up to yourself, what ethnicity you are...

The list goes on but true.

The list goes on but true.

In what way?

She wants to swap college for the one in Camden (she a hipsta). I'm not sure she's ready to cycle that far, but we were talking about. The problem with girls nowadays is, they're so complacent, that the bike would be taken away for her too.
A couple of years ago, on two occasions boys at school simply asked for her phone and she said she couldn't refuse, because this is some kind of code of conduct (?!). They prefer to suffer and be cool, than grass people up to the parents, teachers, not mentioning police. You know, someone could after write something bad on their Facebook wall

Well, how do i explain it. Im agreeing with what he says,
aswell as thinking of a couple of my own such as who you hang out with, how you act when there are these types of groups around, age, attractiveness, its all relative..

Ive SEEN people being picked on because of their good looks (pure jealousy)
"Oi pretty boy hows about i break your nose, direct the gyals away from you straight to me"
Shit like this does happen and in such a homophobic background im surprised the person who said that wasnt beat up for calling him pretty in the first place

I suppose that I am lucky in having two boys who have had minimal problems in life and if there was a problem it was easily sorted out mainly with the eldest, the youngest was attacked but floored the fucker with a punch but was called a white fucking poof when he walked away so broke his his jaw with a kick, lesson learned ;o))

With girls I suppose there are problems, codes, peer pressure etc etc but let me know if you need a problem sorting out as someone from not your area can't easily be traced. PM Me if you need assistance.

you are white Polish in East London whats the problem? oh and I went to the one the worst schools in West London, Christopher Wren ;0

But I live on the outskirts of predominantly black estate with a small but deadly gang with its wannabies and latch on girls. If your child isn't in the gang, you don't send it to the local corner shop for a pint of milk. My daughter is mixed-race, my stepchildren are black. You are either in the gang or you stay at home and play xbox.
The problem is with school uniforms. My boy goes to school in Walthamstow. There's a Priory Estate with its gang just opposite the school. They will ask you for your ends on a bus stop. You're fucked (happened). You come back home wearing an uniform form a different post code - you are fucked too. You go to the local school - you are in the local gang or they will ride you like a horse and bully on a daily basis. I know it can sound incredible to some, but I'm no Ross Kemp and only say what I can see around.

BTW, so I'm Polish. So what? I'm still fucked if I step by accident on a pointed white shoe which belongs to a Lithuanian square head :-)

ahhh

the things i would do if i ran the country..