Confessions of a London cyclist

[Martin Cassini]

It goes without saying there are too many cycling deaths on our roads, and the idea of extra mirrors to boost lorry driver awareness of cyclists is welcome. I'm not one of those who call for segregated cycle lanes – I'm for integration on Equality Streets. But last night I nearly became another statistic. Cycling back to central London through Oakley Square in Camden, as I pulled out to pass a parked van, another van sped past, almost squashing me into the other van as it went. It had to stop at the lights just ahead at Eversholt St. I pulled out and drew up alongside the driver's window, which was open. I've seen cyclists scream and shout at motorists and don't think it achieves much except putting their backs up. Deadpan, I said to the driver, "You nearly got me there." He replied saying he hadn't really seen me, as I was dressed in dark clothes. That was true, though my bike did have flashing lights, albeit small ones. Anyway I nodded and overtook him, turning left towards Euston as the lights changed. I felt him following me, this time with great care. I glanced behind before overtaking a parking car, and gave him a little wave of thanks for hanging back and not crowding me. When the road widened along a stretch with no parked cars, and I was safely on the left, he drove past gently and, with a friendly thumbs-up, shouted through the open passenger window, "F++K OFF, C++T!" No, I'm joking: actually he called out, "You take care, mate." And so we parted, both a little wiser.