In the news

maybe it's all a conspiracy to stop every numbnut jumping on a bike during the games.. ?

^This put a terrific image in my head of every single pedestrian in London running at top pace trying to get where they were going. Now that would be real chaos.

it is just gonna be crazy isn't it
roads solid with traffic tubes bursting at the seams
paedo's running everywhere
my god if i wasn't looking forward to it so much, i would consider leaving the city

He hit a one way system

doesn't he know bikes are allowed to travel against one way systems now
#highwaycodeknowledgefail#

He didn't have his aero helmet on, Obree's still got it.

during the tour de frane coverage he always seems to ride the last 100m or so very slowly even the guy on the segway keeps up with him
wimp

Twitbook did well then.
China and the universe of untapped advertising revenue awaits

i've got my order in for £20,000 worth of shares

this time next year rodney we'wll be millionaires

what's happening in north London? I've just heard at least 12 police sirens go up Essex Road.

what's happening in north London? I've just heard at least 12 police sirens go up Essex Road.

here you go

A high police presence along with ambulances, and riot vans have been reported on Northampton Road, off Essex Road in Islington.
An estate on Northampton Street has reported been cordoned off by police, one person has said that a man is in the flats that have been cordoned off 'smashing up the place'.

I saw a load of police with battering rams and ppe about 5 seconds from smashing a door down on asylum road as I rode in this morning, but couldn't stop to watch the fun as was running late :(

More civil liberties down the pan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18102793

Not sure where to put this, but I thought it was interesting to see the real Sacha Baron Cohen.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18105176

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financial-crime/9274125/SFO-offered-to-do-50m-deal-with-Tchenguiz-brothers.html

Deal for lawbreakers if they make a charitable donation

One rule for the rich...

I just got interviewed for Metro, a piece on the conflict between motorists and cyclists potentially running on Monday.

In case I get quoted wildly out of context what I've said was roughly:

1) Cyclists are vulnerable, drivers feel increasingly invulnerable thanks to vehicles getting larger and safety improving, which results in more risks being taken by motorists and an increase in danger to other road users (cyclists).

2) Many cyclists also drive at times and we can empathise with the frustrations of driving in the city. Sitting in traffic and not moving as the temperature rises and nerves start to fray is never the best time to see a cyclist glide by, it's easy to understand why people get frustrated with cyclists but really it's frustration that they're stuck in a metal box not moving anywhere.

3) To the question "Have you ever jumped a red light?", I answered yes. Find me a cyclist who never has. I don't think that if everyone stopped jumping red lights tomorrow that it would be provably safer for everyone. There are places in which I will jump a red light because to do so is the safer option due to the design of the streets and the fact that cars and vans will be racing from the line, but obviously not all red light jumping is like that and there is probably more "bad" RLJing than "good".

4) To the question "What would you do to end the conflict between road users?", to which he gave examples of cars vs scooters, vans vs cyclists, etc... I said that it's easy for everyone to blame someone else, and that for the most part that has been what people have always done. In my view the simplest thing would be for everyone to look at themselves and blame no-one else, and to travel on the roads with awareness of other road users, and for everyone to individually take responsibility for the safety of others and themselves over everything else. I also suggested some street planning could be re-visited with all road users in mind, and that slowing things down across the board could help as there is a lot happening on and around London streets and it can be hard to take it all in if you're travelling too fast.

There was also a question about whether cyclists pay attention enough on the road, and an example given was personal stereos, to which I said that whilst I am aware of a cycle training guy who rides around with large headphones on, I personally think I'm safest when I am have more data coming in and I'm aware of everything. All road users should pay attention, and that just comes down to each person taking responsibility for the safety of others as a priority.

I'm sure all of the above will be reduced to 3 sentences which turn me into an ogre when I actually think I was reasonable (the first sign that perhaps I wasn't).

I didn't mention that sometimes I RLJ for fun. Because that really would have lost the debate before it started.

You're right, I've nothing to fear. The article will be well-balanced, reasonable, and eminently sensible. It will be these things so much, that it will result in a collective epiphany across London, and on Tuesday morning everything will suddenly be much calmer, the traffic flow much smoother, and people will arrive at work smiling.

re Q4

there was a piece on Radio 4 the other night where a guy was advocating the removal of all traffic lights, etc. (partly) on the basis that by removing things like traffic lights people won't be waiting and an overall more polite and understanding road usership would develop.

EDIT: here it is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hkz2x

david " taken out of context " velocio
can't wait to see the article

re Q4

there was a piece on Radio 4 the other night where a guy was advocating the removal of all traffic lights, etc. (partly) on the basis that by removing things like traffic lights people won't be waiting and an overall more polite and understanding road usership would develop.

EDIT: here it is: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hkz2x

Search for Going Dutch
The basics are the removal of street furniture to make eye contact and humanity more possible.

I remember reading an article on that, whenever whichever dutch town brought it in. Seems like a good idea.

I think the idea stacks up, especially with a fairly law/rule abiding country like ours. The point I thought was most valid was that people who drive badly and/or unsafely do it regardless. So why have all these road restrictions.

Agreed...
Sat Nav, overly stringent road rules et al have all contributed to the removal of individual agency and the decision making responsibility of drivers.

Take it away and people quickly wake up and start communicating, and smiling.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financial-crime/9274125/SFO-offered-to-do-50m-deal-with-Tchenguiz-brothers.html
Deal for lawbreakers if they make a charitable donation

I wonder which charity will actually accept this donation? The first to find out post it here please. That way I know who to exclude on my next bi-annual charity donation thingie.