Cycling
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“Scoff-law cyclist” myth strikes again
This was originally posted to my old blog on 29 March 2017. I was once admonished by a driver that I should wear a helmet when cycling. I politely pointed out to the driver that he was not wearing a seatbelt. Today, a pedestian crossing the street in front of me remarked how astounding it…
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Stop focusing on the unlocked door
This was originally posted on my old blog on 23 February 2017. Would it make sense to be alarmed about a house’s door being unlocked, preaching to the occupant of the house about how they’ll be burgled or murdered if they don’t lock the door, if the house is on fire? I feel that’s what…
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Essential Road Safety Tools
This was originally posted to my old blog on 21 February 2017. I often get very, very angry with drivers. Just in this last week, I was almost run over by a driver running a red light, who was on his phone while driving. I had an unpleasant exchange with another bunch of wankers in…
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The Jocks and the Nerds
This was originally posted on my old blog on 12 January 2017. I can think of few better metaphors for our roads than my kids’ school. It was established more than 100 years ago, the building erected with spacious passages, if you consider the maybe two or three hundred pupils it catered for at the…
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A thought experiment
This was originally posted on my old blog on 27 December 2016. Think of a road near where you live, work, or study. It should be a reasonably busy road, but not a highway, and if all such roads near you have well designed, separated cycling infrastructure you can stop the experiment right here. Got…
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Accessible Magic
This was originally posted to my old blog on 30 November 2016. One morning last week the world was painted with a brush dipped in frost. I cycle past a primary school on my way to college. After weaving my way through the mess of cars trying to push their way as close as possible…
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Drivers, drains, and brains
This was originally posted to my old blog in November 2016. My route to college includes a road with a Z bend: sharp right followed immediately by a sharp left. That exact section of road also has a number of recessed drains probably about twenty metres apart. Therefore, even cyclists who don’t believe in the…
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Mr bus driver, you scare me
This was originally posted to my old blog on 15 November 2013. A few weeks ago, it was raining and I decided to take the bus to school. It was very full, so I stood right at the front beside the driver. At a stage, he remarked that there were a lot more people than…