What’s wrong with this post dear reader?

A headline like the one above, is for me, akin to saying that I can’t stand bacon & cheese oatcakes, no I’d rather not head out to that beautiful country pub for drinks with good friends and yes, I think that the X-Factor is a valid and worthy creative focus for the youth of today.

The last 3 months have been extremely busy (at least some excuse for my woeful lack of blog posts); 2 times a day, 5 times a week, for the last 3 months straight, I have walked from Kings Cross St Pancras International to Soho and back as (a small) part of a painful 4hr round-trip commute in from Kent.

During the walk from Kings Cross to Soho, I cross two Zebra crossings en-route. One of these crossings crosses a cycle path running parallel to the road. As a result, there is always a high number of cylists crossing during the morning and evening rush-hours.

On an average week (with a total of 20 Zebra crossings), I might expect to experience at least 3 or 4 occurences of the following:

i) Cyclist failing to stop when I am waiting to cross the Zebra crossing, or am ALREADY on the crossing.

ii) Cyclist failing to stop when I am waiting to cross the Zebra crossing, or am ALREADY on the crossing – and then verbally abusing me (more often than not with accompanying sign language) for remonstrating with them for not stopping: This usually consists of me saying / shouting either “STOP please”, or “Come on man, you’re supposed to STOP” (somewhat sarcastically).

iii) Cyclist failing to stop when I am waiting to cross the Zebra crossing, or am ALREADY on the crossing – and then verbally abusing me, followed by threats of physical violence (albeit in a “yeah I’m going to mash you up bad style you utter %*$@…as I’m quickly heading in the opposite direction.”)

On an average week, I might expect to receive similar treatment from motorists 2 or 3 times.

I can only conclude that commuting cyclists are rude and aggressive, potentially violent potty-mouths, when compared with their motoring counterparts.

What the hell’s going on? I want to shout after these cyclists, “Wait. We’re on the same side. I’m an avid cyclist toooooo”.

However, I don’t. The truth is I’m ashamed to be associated to these cyclists by my love of two wheels.

I can only make sense of the situation by thinking that these are not real cyclists at all. They’re just commuters like any other; desperate to get to work on time forsaking all manners and decency.

Just as there are terrible drivers as well as considerate ones, the truth is sadly the same of some cyclists. I only hope that they are a minority, and other road users and pedestrians treat them accordingly.

Sort it out bad-cycle-commuters. Not only are you giving the rest of us a bad name, you’re endangering lives.

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