The joys of London cycling

[juliet]

On the one hand: cycling through Hyde Park along the Serpentine this morning, with the sunshine and the water, and people walking dogs, and someone on a horse, and general prettiness.

On the other hand: the tosser of a taxi driver who cut me up something shocking at the complicated junction just south of Westminster Bridge (it wasn't even a "didn't check to the left before turning left" cutting-up; it was an "overtake cyclist & then turn left directly in front of her, thus not even being able to *pretend* that I didn't see her" type cutting-up). I swore, loudly, and once again discovered the difficulty of making rude hand gestures whilst wearing skiing gloves.

Comments

[wintrmute.livejournal.com]

This is where bicycle mounted heat-seeking missiles would come in handy.

(Well, they probably have them in South Africa already.)

[juliet]

For some time now I have been wishing for a sub-machine gun or similar for my handlebars. Then I could use it not only on moron drivers who cut me up (DIE SCUM DIE), but *also* on people who jump red lights (RED MEANS STOP you cretins, yes even if you *are* on a bike).

Mmm. That would be *fun*.

Oh no, but I don't believe in violence. Bother. Maybe I can have an exception to this for people who *really* irritate me. That seems reasonable.

[wintrmute.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've wondered about non-violent methods for dealing with roadusers who really annoy me. Unfortunately I don't think I've found any yet that would ultimately satisfy me as much as firing a rocket launcher at the 4WD or SUV in question.

Closer to reality, I've been wondering about people who park in bus stops. I'd love to have some bumper stickers made up while said something like "I [heart] 2 block busses" or "I SUCK-I PARK IN BUS STOPS" or hopefully something that's actually witty.

Then, I could carry them around and stick em on cars in bus stops when I'm waiting for busses. It is friendlier than letting their tyres down or keying them. (I don't do either of those!) However, I'm not sure the owner would feel that way if they saw me stickering their car. Unfortunately, the car owner may not feel the same way about non-violent-means as you do.

I guess I could run away fast, but then I might miss the bus :P

[juliet]

Oh, I don't know, I think "I suck - I park in bus stops" has a certain appropriate bluntness to it. I mean, you wouldn't want to get too clever, they mightn't understand.

And if you ran away *fast* enough, you might beat the bus! Especially if there were enough people parking in bus stops.