Your last point has been my pet peeve (spelling?) for ages. Based on the concept of patriarchy chicken, I am convinced that cyclists are commonly considered to be the ones that must give way, both to cars and to pedestrians, even on a bike lane or similar. Which of course is ALL WRONG and when I feel especially courageous and heroic, I do cycle on regardless, hearing the angry voice of a misguided pedestrian behind me knowing full well that not too long ago I was the one who dutifully moved aside or even stopped. As for the cars, obv. often too risky but I at times cherish the chance of overtaking a nasty driver at the next traffic light and purposefully cycling somewhat in their way while they have to figure out how to speed up without going onto the next or onward lane. There's only so much a cyclist's commute in a city has on offer in the way of thrills. Plus I am a righteous old woman. Stay safe and enjoy your pedals.
I love these cycling posts so much. Wellington cycling sounds treacherous and exciting! I have an old-fashioned bike, with a basket on the front, but rarely ride it here in New Plymouth. I'm not sure why that is, but now we have a dog I tell myself he's the reason, that it's because we walk on the beach every morning before work. That's not true because we haven't had him that long and I didn't cycle much then either. My partner cycles every day to and from work. Your posts make me want to cycle more often. I'm going to get my bike out of the shed today. A start.
Your last point has been my pet peeve (spelling?) for ages. Based on the concept of patriarchy chicken, I am convinced that cyclists are commonly considered to be the ones that must give way, both to cars and to pedestrians, even on a bike lane or similar. Which of course is ALL WRONG and when I feel especially courageous and heroic, I do cycle on regardless, hearing the angry voice of a misguided pedestrian behind me knowing full well that not too long ago I was the one who dutifully moved aside or even stopped. As for the cars, obv. often too risky but I at times cherish the chance of overtaking a nasty driver at the next traffic light and purposefully cycling somewhat in their way while they have to figure out how to speed up without going onto the next or onward lane. There's only so much a cyclist's commute in a city has on offer in the way of thrills. Plus I am a righteous old woman. Stay safe and enjoy your pedals.
I love these cycling posts so much. Wellington cycling sounds treacherous and exciting! I have an old-fashioned bike, with a basket on the front, but rarely ride it here in New Plymouth. I'm not sure why that is, but now we have a dog I tell myself he's the reason, that it's because we walk on the beach every morning before work. That's not true because we haven't had him that long and I didn't cycle much then either. My partner cycles every day to and from work. Your posts make me want to cycle more often. I'm going to get my bike out of the shed today. A start.