Irontwit

Various newspapers and websites have reported the jump in cycling casualties in the first quarter in 2009. Here’s the Independent Newspaper’s take on the 19% jump in deaths or serious injuries in the first few months of 2009 (820 people) as one example. The general interpretation of this rather alarming stat is that it’s a reflection on the jump in numbers of people commuting to work by bike due to the recession. This must be partly true, but in the case of our family, we took a conscious decision that when the small Fiat Punto that we use as the family runaround developed a serious fault it would go to the knacker’s yard and we would then share one vehicle. In turn we would attempt to reduce the mileage on our Multipla by commuting by bike when possible. There have been great economic benefits to us for doing this, and cut in our carbon footprint must have been quite substantial. So far we’ve coped admirably, and there have only been a few occasions in the last year that have required some serious juggling to make things work.

My wife’s experience of commuting the few miles to work has generally been very positive. She has lost weight and is much fitter and healthier as a result. There have been one or two negative moments when she has been abused by drivers, once when she was approaching a junction to turn left and got shouted at for cycling too slowly; and once when moving to the right hand lane in order to turn right at some traffic lights – apparently she should have stayed left in the gutter until reaching the lights before attempting to turn. Luckily, this hasn’t put her off.

Clearly such behaviour by drivers, as well as alarming rises in casualties isn’t going to encourage too many folk into abandoning their cars. Recognising this, a group in Manchester known as “Bike Friday” has been set up precisely to provide support to people considering commuting to work. It’s a monthly ride into Manchester from numerous start points around the city and as well as raising the profile of cycling, organisers will try and help new commuters by pairing them up with experienced cyclists. A laudable effort which I’d like to support, but on Friday mornings I’m always on the train to Liverpool to teach at a school in Garston.

Bike Friday can also be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99198337652