I saw a recent article that was titled cyclists should have to pass a test before they are allowed on London streets.
The article asks the rhetorical question, who hasn't seen cyclists breaking the rules of the road - from jumping red lights to cycling on the pavement or using the phone while riding. It goes on to point out that drivers have to pass their theory test, requiring a knowledge of the Highway Code. This all raises some interesting issues.
I have always lived in London and when I first took my bicycle out on the open road, I lived in as central London as you can get. I didn't take a theory test and used common sense I suppose. I went on to pass my driving test when I was 19 or 20 and continued to make the odd journey by bike. I suspect this is a similar journey to most cyclists.
As someone who cycles frequently on London streets, yes I do see all of the above but I see a much bigger and more significant problem every time I venture out.
From my experience as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorist and occasional user of public transport I see motor vehicles committing all sorts of rule breaking, selfish and downright dangerous driving more so that any other road user. I am sometimes left wondering whether those behind a wheel have ever had a driving lesson in their lives, let alone pass a test!
Tuesday, 20 August 2019
Sunday, 18 August 2019
Bike theft in London
Sadly, if you live in London or probably any major city, bike theft is a bit of a problem. It does seem like there is a growing and worrisome new dimension to this all.
Up until recently bike theft involved you leaving / locking your bike upon somewhere to discover that someone had managed to break the lock, chain - or whatever else was used - to secure your bike and made off with it. There is of course a whole industry devoted to bike locks that compete with each other to be top dog.
The new dimension is that there are now reports of gangs (for want of a better expression) targeting cyclists as they are riding their bikes. Some of these are on scooters and some all but ambush cyclists going by. They use the shock value of actually knocking someone off their bike to then make away with it. In addition there have been reports of a considerable amount of violence used to achieve this. Some thefts of this nature take place in broad daylight.
The Brompton is an expensive item and therefore very attractive to those who would want to steal it. I am sad to say that there are plenty of people out there who would be more than happy to buy one second hand, with a shady provenance, if it meant they could save a few pounds!
So, what can you do? As far as someone stealing your Brompton if it is locked up somewhere, I just don't understand this when you can simply fold and take it with you? In fact if I cannot go into an establishment with my folded Brompton, I turn round and leave. (It is perhaps strange to note that the locations you would expect a folded Brompton to be unwelcome are the ones that are the most accommodating).
As far as riding your Brompton along quite happily and a couple of shady types trying to take it off you on foot or on a scooter, you would have to weigh things up very quickly. My 9+ years of Judo and Karate in my youth taught me that it is better to take flight rather than fight.
Some people go down the GPS tracking route but these have limited use in the real world. Firstly they are small and discrete and as such the battery powering them has a limited life, so even if you can locate your bike you probably won't have long. I am sad to say that I have my doubts as to whether the police would be truly interested or inclined to act upon you showing them the location of your bike on a mapping app on your smartphone.
If you have a Brompton you can register your frame and serial number with them which is a start. If you are in the UK there are also registering schemes such as 'Immobilise' or 'Bike Register.'
As I mentioned the police might not be that interested in the big scheme of things and you might have to do some of the detective work yourself. Ebay, Gumtree is where you might want to look. Telling your friends and family to look might also help. In fact a few years ago a Brompton that was stolen from outside a location was tracked down by an eagle-eyed Brompton owner.
Terrible that this goes on but it exists. My advice for what it is worth is not be try and be a hero. Get away - with your bike - if you can, but if this isn't possible (as hard as it may be) let it go. The bike can be replaced. You can't!!
I welcome your thoughts on this one readers so please leave a comment.
Up until recently bike theft involved you leaving / locking your bike upon somewhere to discover that someone had managed to break the lock, chain - or whatever else was used - to secure your bike and made off with it. There is of course a whole industry devoted to bike locks that compete with each other to be top dog.
The new dimension is that there are now reports of gangs (for want of a better expression) targeting cyclists as they are riding their bikes. Some of these are on scooters and some all but ambush cyclists going by. They use the shock value of actually knocking someone off their bike to then make away with it. In addition there have been reports of a considerable amount of violence used to achieve this. Some thefts of this nature take place in broad daylight.
The Brompton is an expensive item and therefore very attractive to those who would want to steal it. I am sad to say that there are plenty of people out there who would be more than happy to buy one second hand, with a shady provenance, if it meant they could save a few pounds!
So, what can you do? As far as someone stealing your Brompton if it is locked up somewhere, I just don't understand this when you can simply fold and take it with you? In fact if I cannot go into an establishment with my folded Brompton, I turn round and leave. (It is perhaps strange to note that the locations you would expect a folded Brompton to be unwelcome are the ones that are the most accommodating).
As far as riding your Brompton along quite happily and a couple of shady types trying to take it off you on foot or on a scooter, you would have to weigh things up very quickly. My 9+ years of Judo and Karate in my youth taught me that it is better to take flight rather than fight.
Some people go down the GPS tracking route but these have limited use in the real world. Firstly they are small and discrete and as such the battery powering them has a limited life, so even if you can locate your bike you probably won't have long. I am sad to say that I have my doubts as to whether the police would be truly interested or inclined to act upon you showing them the location of your bike on a mapping app on your smartphone.
If you have a Brompton you can register your frame and serial number with them which is a start. If you are in the UK there are also registering schemes such as 'Immobilise' or 'Bike Register.'
As I mentioned the police might not be that interested in the big scheme of things and you might have to do some of the detective work yourself. Ebay, Gumtree is where you might want to look. Telling your friends and family to look might also help. In fact a few years ago a Brompton that was stolen from outside a location was tracked down by an eagle-eyed Brompton owner.
Terrible that this goes on but it exists. My advice for what it is worth is not be try and be a hero. Get away - with your bike - if you can, but if this isn't possible (as hard as it may be) let it go. The bike can be replaced. You can't!!
I welcome your thoughts on this one readers so please leave a comment.
Monday, 12 August 2019
Amazing scenes at a coffee establishment.
Saturday morning should have seen me travelling back from a night ride to Whitstable but here in the UK there was a major electrical power cut to certain parts of the country on Friday which resulted in me being stuck in traffic - almost as if the apocalypse had arrived - trying to get back to London in time and failing. So, I had a little bit of free time to run an errand or two.
I started this by folding my Brompton and taking it into one of the generic coffee establishments that are just about everywhere in the world. On a table was a man with a laptop open, A4 notepad and pen (not of the fountain pen variety in his hand). Opposite him was another man. The laptop man was incredibly loud and it soon became apparent the he was interviewing the person opposite.
Now, I don't know about you but I have seem this happen several times. I have also seen people using the place as a mini-office, on the phone loud as you like, bleating on about something or other when everyone else is simply try to buy a drink or perhaps sit down and try and forget about the 9 to 5 for all of five minutes.
It was all too much for the lady in front of me. When the laptop guy asked a question, she would interject and offer - it has to be said a very good - response that the interviewee could use if they liked. Laptop guy said along the lines 'do you mind I am trying to conduct a meeting.' to which she told him in no uncertain terms that she was trying to buy a cup of coffee and didn't think it was appropriate for interviews to be carried out in a coffee shop. The barista at the till informed that laptop guy had been there since they opened and that this was interviewee number 3!
You really do see all sorts when out on your Brompton believe me! What are your thoughts? Who was right - laptop guy or the customer who objected?
I started this by folding my Brompton and taking it into one of the generic coffee establishments that are just about everywhere in the world. On a table was a man with a laptop open, A4 notepad and pen (not of the fountain pen variety in his hand). Opposite him was another man. The laptop man was incredibly loud and it soon became apparent the he was interviewing the person opposite.
Now, I don't know about you but I have seem this happen several times. I have also seen people using the place as a mini-office, on the phone loud as you like, bleating on about something or other when everyone else is simply try to buy a drink or perhaps sit down and try and forget about the 9 to 5 for all of five minutes.
It was all too much for the lady in front of me. When the laptop guy asked a question, she would interject and offer - it has to be said a very good - response that the interviewee could use if they liked. Laptop guy said along the lines 'do you mind I am trying to conduct a meeting.' to which she told him in no uncertain terms that she was trying to buy a cup of coffee and didn't think it was appropriate for interviews to be carried out in a coffee shop. The barista at the till informed that laptop guy had been there since they opened and that this was interviewee number 3!
You really do see all sorts when out on your Brompton believe me! What are your thoughts? Who was right - laptop guy or the customer who objected?
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