If you can’t beat ‘em...
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To say that I get infuriated by law-breaking cyclists is an understatement. Despite trying my hardest not to let the light-jumpers annoy me, I just can’t control myself. Barely a commute goes by without me screaming a torrent of abuse at the lycra-clad idiots. By the time I get into work, my blood is boiling. My wife thinks I’m heading for a heart attack, and is even suggesting anger management classes. The thing that really bothers me is that the situation is only going to
get worse. Boris Johnson wants to increase the number of Londoners cycling by 400% in the next decade, but what’s he going to do to educate them?
In an attempt to get more of an insight into the whole light-jumping thing, I did the unthinkable this weekend – and bought a bike! In fact, shock horror, I actually rode it too (although I wasn’t wearing lycra, you’ll be pleased to hear!).
Other than being a bit unsteady and almost passing out when going up a hill, I have to confess that I rather enjoyed the whole experience. I found the majority of motorists were courteous (excluding the passenger of a Ford Transit Connect who screamed ‘fatso’ at the top of his voice as he overtook), and everyone gave me plenty of space. Then again I think I’d have given an overweight, middle-aged bloke weaving all over the road a wide berth too.
And the burning question is, am I one of the 57% of cyclists who admit to jumping red lights? You’ve got to be kidding. In fact I was so knackered I found myself stopping at the green lights too!
Will Shiers