tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post2312882177514702622..comments2023-10-31T08:49:14.757+00:00Comments on Cambridge Cyclist: NOT a response to BBC War on the RoadsCab Davidsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09019615820672574343noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-7687128336222997482012-12-06T08:55:06.097+00:002012-12-06T08:55:06.097+00:00I used to ride a lot in London and Cambridge, havi...I used to ride a lot in London and Cambridge, having a couple of university outreach jobs (http://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/home/ and http://network.nature.com/groups/ltn/forum/topics) where it was just the most practical way to get between multiple local universities and local high tech businesses.<br /><br />I'd completely agree that London commuters are as hyped up as you say. Both the drivers and the cyclists are on a mission from God to take revenge for all the petty insults that they are going to have to handle during the working day. The social differences within London are horrific. A banker pulling down a bonus of several million is cycling past an illegal immigrant who is barely managing to cover the cost of a converted garage. Both of them are working in the City, and have to get there from remote suburbs.<br /><br />Cambridge is just a lot more integrated, both physically and socially. Distances are tiny, because the colleges and the Green Belt dictate that nobody can create urban sprawl. The major social divide here is between people who live IN Cambridge, and the poor buggers who have to GET there from remote Fenland towns where there is no work. The former cycle, the latter drive. But because traffic is unbelievably congested, maximum speed in the centre is far short of the 20 mile an hour limits posted everywhere.<br /><br />Comically, having said how DIFFERENT these two cities are, I found cycling around them between clients in the middle of the day very very similar. London is brilliant to cycle when all you are dealing with is taxi drivers (in my experience, uniformly extremely professional and knowledgeable chaps) and other low-stress folks who aren't trying to get to work in a hurry. Even white van drivers aren't that bad, generally just professional drivers who want to keep their licence clean and get their deliveries done. Cambridge, the same.<br /><br />So I think the real issue here is the stupid UK commuter culture. People who wouldn't say boo to a goose in the office get suited up in Lycra or a BMW and become Attila the Hun. You see it in their Tweet streams too. They are taking out the frustrations they feel in their home and work lives on other road users. That is as true for stupid cyclists going down pedestrian passages full-tilt as it is for imbecile BMW speed merchants.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03518194208139639993noreply@blogger.com