Two Wheels Good?

Someone in my ear-shot recently remarked upon a growing menace to London's public health, using the term to categorise this blight as 'London's Vermin.'

No, this isn't the Capital's beleaguered pigeons. Nasty, diseased little buggers they are, they aren't too smart and just don't know any better.

The gentleman in question was referring to cyclists.

Since 7/7 and the advent of CC cyclists are appearing from everywhere.

Don't get me wrong. I applaud this move to two wheeled transport. It's efficient, it's healthy and it's practically free. I used to cycle everywhere when I lived in Amsterdam.

But there's a critical difference. Amsterdam is a city designed and regulated to encourage the cyclist over and above all other forms of transports -- apart from the city's clanging, but excellent trams.

London's streets, as they are, just aren't equipped for cyclists. There's too much traffic outside the Congestion Zone and not enough road provision from cycle lanes.

With this in mind, I'm sympathetic to London's valiant cyclists. Really, I am. But being a put-upon minority is no reason for stupidity and arrogance.

London's cycling fraternity -- to a man, woman and the occasionally unwashed 'May Day Maniac' -- hit the road with a complete disregard for The Highway Code and consideration for other road users or pedestrians.

They fail to recognise (or stop at) traffic lights; don't stop at pedestrian crossings; they go the wrong way down one-way streets; many have iPod headphones in their ears; and most seem oblivious to the legitimate manoeuvres of other road users.. The list of daily offenses goes on. Oh, and of course, they get in the way of buses and taxis thereby slowing down the already crawling traffic.

Much of this is annoying to the majority, plain stupid and (durr) very dangerous.

So what can be done?

Well, the ever-increasing Congestion Zone is a lot clearer of traffic so cyclists should head into it.

But if Mayor Ken is so keen to encourage more engine-free two-wheelers onto the streets, he should invest in more cycle lanes. Equally, he should actively encourage acknowledgement of the rules-of-the-road and re-institute the Cycling Proficiency Test of my childhood (you get a nice badge too).

Finally, and most importantly, cyclists must acknowledge and act upon their own responsibility as road users and be considerate of all of us with whom they co-exist in this overcrowded city. Either that or plan ahead for hospital visits -- or worse.