Number Thirteen in our series - New Year’s Day and wrapped up against the chill in the air: I was out walking Huge Dalmatian this morning to clear his hangover - poor chap, he really can’t take his drink. There were plenty of people out on bikes, but this lady was without doubt the most...
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Here in the North East, the Newcastle Cycling Campaign is gearing up to help the City Council get serious about a cycling network. The mantra you’ll most often hear is “Build it and they will come” when we speak about this sort of stuff. Experience from elsewhere in the world seems to validate this: Controversially though, I...
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I’ve just spent a depressing half hour listening to the Guardian’s Focus Podcast - Are Britain’s Roads Safe For Cyclists? The answer is of course, “Yes, but…” Statistically, cycling really is pretty safe. Yet time and time again, those locations which are more dangerous are treated with lowest common denominator thinking that’s always slewed in favour...
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This via the polyglots of Copenhagenize: Apparently the stencils read, “Bike - Not so dirty”. As non-destructive direct activism, I really love this - especially the DIY nature of it, with cardboard cut stencils. In case you’re wondering, it’s a variation on this: …or this: …or my particular favourite, for all the wrong reasons: I’m wondering if there’s a...
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I was reading the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin’s hilarious post today about the European Cyclists’ Federation fantastic report on the relative carbon emissions of different forms of urban transport. Part of BFW’s post included a graph of relative cyclist safety, % of trips by bike, and the % of cyclists who wear helmets. I used their...
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First time I had to fold a Brompton was when I borrowed Von Smallhaussen’s to go to the shops in Stoke Newington. After several minutes of bafflement, I towed the half-folded bike like grandma’s shopping basket into the shop behind me. If only I’d seen this instructional video first: Alternatively, here’s the official Brompton...
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I found this video on Youtube this morning. I’d seen it before, but not the rear footage, which is nothing short of scary: When the police contacted the owner of the vehicle, he refused to give the name of who was driving it at the time. In the absence of the driver’s name, the police...
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Remember this scene from Reservoir Dogs? Yes it contains strong language, so don’t press play if that sort of thing bothers you: What does this have to do with us? I mean, it’s not as if we’re planning a bank vault robbery, is it? Let’s re-script it: Mr Orange - “What happens if the drivers won’t give...
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… to accommodate the size of monster lorry that we have now, let alone the 44 tonne ones proposed. Apparently, “…in 1962, the maximum lorry weight allowed on our roads was 24 tonnes. Over the succeeding 40 years the size and weight has risen inexorably to 32 tonnes, 38 tonnes, 40 tonnes, and now 44...
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I’m thinking of trying to get a job writing for The Daily Mail, though apparently to comply with editorial policy, I’ll have to replace the word “driver” in this post’s title with “cyclist”. Cyclists like these two: Or this Lycra lout: and this two-wheeled terror: not to mention this above-the-law-pedal-pusher: Yep - I think I’d fit right in at...
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**5th December 2011 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** CITY BOSSES are keen to show that they’re in it with the rest of us. Senior bankers have joined forces with the leaders of Transport for London to show that they’re really in touch with things at ’street’ level. So they’re forgoing the comforts of luxury cars and taking...
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A while ago I stumbled upon Tom’s Cargo Bikes - a great little site about cargo bikes (does what it says on the tin!), which includes instructions on how to build your own. Seeing as I used to be an engineer, I decided to have a go. First up, I sourced a couple of suitable...
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Icy conditions can make it treacherous for those on two wheels. In Copenhagen when it snows, they know that clearing up for cyclists has to take top priority: In the Netherlands, even when it’s cold enough to freeze the canals & rivers, they make sure that their cycle routes are clear and safe: Meanwhile on this side of the...
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This one isn’t mine, but I regularly see it being ridden around Tynemouth, Cullercoats & Whitley Bay: No, your eyes are not deceiving you - that’s a really short wheel-base recumbent with a riveted aluminium monocoque frame. Built by this bloke, who’s obviously got an eye for practicality - note the luggage box and the horn: Proof, if...
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“Is it any wonder folk get annoyed at the cyclists? CAN anyone explain to me why the majority of cyclists are inconsiderate, selfish, rude and, at times, out and out dangerous? I am astounded to see them holding up traffic and creating unsafe conditions on the main roads where cars and buses (who are running to...
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So Cole Coachworks Ltd have done the official campaign bike for Boris’ re-election campaign: Yep - just goes to show that cycling really is a social leveller. Unless this is an enormous spoof, Boris will be riding a brakeless fixie road-bike conversion number. Doubtless he’ll also be striking some ironic poses, sporting facial hair, and...
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I double-dare anyone to say that they didn’t see me. On the back, that’s two nice and bright flashing lights, plus a string of ten red LEDs trailing out of my saddle bag’s side pocket. These flap around in the breeze and are very noticeable. On the front, that’s a Blackburn Quadrant shining steady, and my...
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How about this video via a well-known price comparison web site: Other price comparison web sites are available. Avoid the whole mess of having to hunt around for a better deal on your car insurance by ditching the car altogether and going by bike instead. HT to @darlobikegirl on the Twitter for this video. Follow her...
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I was out walking Huge Dalmatian this morning, and happened to have my camera with me to snap a few of the people riding bikes in the autumn sun along the sea front: At first, I though this was just someone riding along on a small-wheeled folding bike. But then as she pulled level I...
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First up, the winner of last week’s caption contest. We had some great entries, and it was really tough to pick a winner - in the end, we’ve decided to award joint first prizes to: Lee Kenney for, “Boris, cycling does not reduce your sperm count; ask my housekeeper.” Nigel for, “Here we have a ex-terminator...
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A few weeks ago I got a new a front light. It’s one of those SSC-P7 LED units that turns night into day when you’re riding out in the country, and has a strobe setting that I use in town, and defy any driver to claim he hadn’t seen. From about a mile away. Even...
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