Cycling and the congestion charge

[Mike I]

I can't help feeling that this piece in today's Grauniad was written by someone with a deadline to meet and no time or inclination to research it properly.

[url]http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving/2007/10/cycling_and_the_congestion_cha.html[/url]

Never mind, some of the comments make for interesting reading. Personally, I think riding in Big London is better after the congestion charge, but I would do it anyway - mainly because it's reliable and it helps me retain a zen-like air of contentment .

[huw williams]

"London has witnessed a 43% rise in cycling since the introduction of the congestion charge and an 83% increase overall since 2000,"

No it bloody hasn't. It's witnessed a 43% rise in people commuting by bike and there's a BIG difference there!

The cyclists were there before the congestion charge. You never see them as they quickly get to where they're going with a minimum of fuss.
The non-cyclists commuting by bicycle however are constantly clogging up the capitals arteries with their mudguards their panniers stuffed with office clothing and ther day-glo stripes.

Enough I say! Test everyone who travels by bike into London - If they can't do a 10 in less then evens it's the tube for the lot of 'e........ arrrgh!!!!

Sorry about that everyone, just got to my computer to discover a fascist dictator had logged on using my password.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Seanieh_The PengeAvenger©"]Its those bloody High Vis jackets they all think they have to wear!

[Will]

A mate who works at Evans used to strongly encourage his staff to sell everyone who was buying a commuter bike the additional kit of high-vis jackets (mostly Altura), high-vis rucksack cover, etc.

I'm in two minds about the high-vis thing myself. I've never really liked it, but I'm starting to think it's a good idea. It does seem to make a difference, and very noticeably so at dusk when visibility is getting lower, but car headlights have yet to start lighting things up effectively, and bike lights don't stand out that much.

[-Adam-]

I must admit I won't wear a high vis jacket, too flappy...

But I am thinking about getting some of the bands that go round your ankles etc. Any thoughts?

[adrian]

Actually I wear a hi-viz vest thing every day. Mrs A insists on it. And anyway, I kind of think that on a commute, the normal rules of aesthetics don't apply and anything you can do to help people see you is a good thing. It's plain silly being the cycling equivalent of a stealth bomber in rush hour. In A&E, they won't think, "Hey, he looks cool" - they'll just cut your black/charcoal/gunmetal kit straight off you, Rapha or no.

[Will]

The congestion charge has certainly made a difference to my commute to work, although not for the better

I go from Putney to Victoria. When the zone was first put in place, I never quite reached it, so it didn't affect my journey.

But I now cycle through it after it was extended due west to cover all of Chelsea.

The difference is that the traffic on the outside of the zone is much worse than it used to be (seemingly especially so after the last few months) although the inside part of the zone doesn't really appear to be any less busy (although I guess will be marginally so).

So, on balance, it's made things a bit worse for me!. I'd agree that there are more cyclists, but it's not clear why. I've heard many people attributing that to the July bombings, but not sure myself.

[Andrew G]

I agree you don't want to be a stealth bomber in the rush hour Adrian, most of the stuff I commute in tends to have the reflective stuff on the edges/seems so does the job, I also light the bike up like a Christmas tree when the dark nights start arriving.

The Sportful gilets are good as they are a snug (cyclist friendly) fit, have a mesh back and a huge reflective S on the back, it's the reflective bit rather than the yellow that gets picked up as most motorists look straight through you no matter what colour you wear. Not windstopper but only £15 so ideal for slinging over most tops and don't make you too hot.

My pannier has a reflective strip round it too. I do find it strange when you see someone in a high-viz gilet and then cover up all the reflective strips with a rucksack .

[carl f]

Livingstone keeps blathering on about how much more cyclists are commuting
T.F.L are spending millions apparently on cycle freindly paths etc and making london a cycle freindly city.
There's only more people cycling becouse people are fed up with our transport system,and the threat of terrorist attacks
The only cycle friendly path i know of is around the back of Camden town where the path is actually seperate from cars by having a raised section between the road and path
I also have to and loath to drive around town sometimes and i certainly feel the c.charge hasn't changed the volume of traffic at all
Nearly got knocked off twice today on the way to work by irate frustrated drivers who clearly think all cyclists are vermin....
grrrrr rant rant!
Apart from that its a wonderfull city

[-Adam-]

In the run in to Paris, many of the cycle lanes were physically seperated from the actual road way by a low kirb. Which I thought was a great idea...

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

When I was last commuting in the dark, I was wearing my hi-viz jacket, got to the office and some commedian there asked me if I was about to dig up the road......

I still think it is be seen, be safe

It is a jungle out there

[-Adam-]

I found during the summer, if i were wearing my high vis from work when driving to and from sites...

...people think its a policeman driving, so slow down, give way to you etc etc...

I take it this doesn't apply while riding!?