This happened a couple of months ago but I just wanted to share it. I was cycling home along the Ruckholt one-way in Leyton which is not a pleasant narrow road with a death-trap-door-zone cycle lane which I avoid by sticking to primary. I found myself behind a male cyclist who was clearly nervous, unconfident and a bit wobbly! He tootled along quite hesitantly and I was behind a good bike’s length and noticed he kept looking over his shoulder to me. As the traffic stopped at lights we both slowly edge up the cycle lane as there was plenty of space although he was struggling a bit with the space there was. We reach a lorry who’s wheels were on the cycle lane. I stopped and so did he, still looking occassionaly over his shoulder. He was looking up the inside and started to edge up.
Paraphrasing….
I told him “Don’t go on my account, I’m stopping here anyway”
Him “Phew, didn’t want to go up there as it looked a squeeze but saw you behind me”
Me “So what, do what you feel comfortable with not what the others do”
Him “I’ve only been riding a few weeks and I sometimes get loads of abuse from other cyclists in central London so I assume I’m doing something wrong if not pushing through”
Me “Ignore those ***holes and don’t ever do anything you don’t feel is safe. If it slows them down, tough, they’ll just have to wait until it’s safe to pass you”
Him “Thank you”
So, if you’re ever one of these cyclists that bully the unconfident into doing something you find easy but they don’t, please bog off. The reason I’m saying this is that my wife is toying with the idea of commuting into central London. She is a very wobbly cyclist and my fear is that she will be pushed into riding into situations she feels isn’t safe by arrogant cyclists.
That is all, thank you.
