Mexican Swine Flu - and Cycling

[dellzeqq]

I rarely travel by tube, but, in doing so last Friday night, it struck me how dank the air was. And then I thought....this is a really good way to spread disease. And then two people who have never commuted by bike told me that they were going to start because they were worried about Swine Flu. And The Babe said that she felt that she was fortunate in commuting by bike, because the risk of infection was that much less.

Now all of this may be completely misguided, or it may be entirely sensible. I've no idea.

I'd sort of got used to the idea that on the main roads that run from our house to Islington (through Clapham North, Stockwell, Kennington, Waterloo, Blackfriars and Smithfield) bikes now outnumber private cars during rush hour. I say 'sort of got used to', but, really when I see all those bikes crossing Blackfriars Bridge I start to quote Martin Luther King - 'I see the Promised Land'. After 40 years and more of cycling round London it feels like it.

Whatever - it occurred to me that we could be in for a really big boost, at least in cities, and in London in particular. The Swine Flu Surge. This could be the Year of the Pig.

 

[fossyant]

Most public transport is a breeding ground to catch colds and flu...swine flu or not (which TBH is 'panic stations' for not a lot really).

May be a good thing all these bikes.

 

[hackbike 666]

Nice to have the bmb dodgers back in our ranks again.

 

[joolsybools]

I was cycling up the cycle path on Constitution Hill on Friday night (about 5.15pm) and the delightful cyclist in front of me sneezed. He didn't hold his nose/cover his mouth and I could see the 'array' of sparkling crystals of snot etc in the sunlight as I procedded to cycle through where he had just sneezed.

I know a sneeze can catch you unawares sometimes and it might be hard to hold your nose if one is coming especially when you're riding, but really, people should be being a bit more considerate!

And if you are on here mate then an apology wouldn't go amiss!

I thank you.

 

[Sapper]

Three years ago, I caught chicken Pox on the tube

A month or so before my 40th Birthday; not impressed!!

 

[dellzeqq]

Nice to have the bmb dodgers back in our ranks again.

I don't know how I'd managed to forget that! Do you recall not being able to get in to the front door of a bike shop for weeks afterwards?

tbh - the bomb dodgers are still with us. It's to be hoped that the flu dodgers are a different set of people.

 

[summerdays]

I don't know how I'd managed to forget that! Do you recall not being able to get in to the front door of a bike shop for weeks afterwards?

tbh - the bomb dodgers are still with us. It's to be hoped that the flu dodgers are a different set of people.

Why? because you want additional people cycling or is there some problem with the cycling exhibited by bomb dodgers? (I've never cycled in London so don't know what it's like).

 

[dellzeqq]

the former. The bomb dodgers are brilliant. They pootle along bus lanes on MTBs with their baggy shorts showing far too much bum crack. Fantastic! I'm hoping that the flu dodgers will all be on folders and wearing cardigans.

 

[Landslide]

I'm hoping that the flu dodgers will all be on folders and wearing cardigans.

Surely they'll be identified by their Respro face-masks?

 

[semislickstick]

Surely they'll be identified by their Respro face-masks?

The respros probably aren't a bad idea anyway, just walking in London and blowing my nose I notice the black snot pollution! How you can cycle in it and not suffer some lung disease in a few years is beyond me!
London cyclists must be made of tougher stuff!

 

[skrx]

The respros probably aren't a bad idea anyway, just walking in London and blowing my nose I notice the black snot pollution!

Are you sure that's not from the Underground? I get black grit in my nose if I take the tube anywhere, even a relatively short journey. Some research showed it was mostly iron dust (from wheels and rails), brake pad dust (ceramic), and dead skin. The researchers decided it wasn't dangerous, especially compared to half-burnt hydrocarbons from road vehicles.

London cyclists must be made of tougher stuff!

I don't get black snot from cycling, but I don't use any busy roads.

 

[hackbike 666]

the former. The bomb dodgers are brilliant. They pootle along bus lanes on MTBs with their baggy shorts showing far too much bum crack. Fantastic! I'm hoping that the flu dodgers will all be on folders and wearing cardigans.

I must be in disguse then.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I'm worried now - I cycled through Dulwich on Sunday. I'm doomed.........

 

[HJ]

Anything that get more people cycling has to be good...