Reckless driver in Stormont Road / Clapham Northside Post Reply

[Not sure]

I love the 'village' idea but I am not a fan of cargo bikes. For me its simply not safe enough for children in an urban area on main roads with buses lorries and electric scooters and all sorts of other vehicles moving at speed. I was dismayed to see another transport mechanism being a parent cycling down Lavender Hill on the main road with a small child in a sort of 'basket' at the front of the bike.
There are a number of proposals made by the Mets cycle safety team regarding regular maintenance and logbooks etc and there have been fatal accidents as the laws surrounding cyclists arent well developed apparently. Things like drivers visibility, maintenance of the carriage etc
I think the point is mainly that we don't live in a village, or a small town. where it might be safe in short journeys. Many keen cyclists would not even cycle round London in busy areas.

[chorister]

Whether or not cargo bikes are a good idea (and I admit to reservations) the behaviour described by the OP Is completely unacceptable.  With a bit of luck the perpetrator will be identified and punished, though I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Balhamqueen]

I agree. The behaviour of that driver is totally unacceptable and obnoxious. Not excusable at all. However, as a driver, not of a SUV I might add, I also find the behaviour of many cyclists around here horrendous. I'm not British and I come from one of those "civilised countries" people mentioned in earlier messages but, trust me, it's not only the drivers who are civilised there but also the cyclists. I'm a mother of two small children and I have a dog I often walk on the common. The behaviour of some cyclists is shocking and so arrogant it often leaves me speechless. They almost ran over my child on the common the other day. It's like they are above all laws. Nothing I've ever witnessed in my civilised home country...

[Balhamqueen]

I should also clarify as it feels important - the person who almost ran over my daughter other day was a mum with one of those electric cargo bikes on the common. They go so fast, my daughter is a toddler, it's a park, and she was so aggressive. An absolutely horrible experience I've never encountered before. The courtesy is needed on all sides.

[Balhamqueen]

I should also clarify as it feels important - the person who almost ran over my daughter other day was a mum with one of those electric cargo bikes on the common. They go so fast, my daughter is a toddler, it's a park, and she was so aggressive. An absolutely horrible experience I've never encountered before. The courtesy is needed on all sides.

[Ferryqueen]

I think the important thing to mention is that you and your toddler are perfectly fine and did not get hit. Stop trying to stir up anti-cycling sentiment here - we need more people to work together to improve transport options and less squabbling.

[Balhamqueen]

Haha. Perhaps you should change your name to Furyqueen? So so aggressive! Are you that mum on the cargo bike lol?

As I said earlier, we come from one of those big cycling countries and my husband actually cycles to work every single day. This is why your response makes me laugh.

However, he would be the first one to bemoan the lack of cycling culture if he was on here. He often comments on what he sees on the streets, cyclists ignoring red lights and often almost hitting pedestrians, ignoring zebra crossing and trying to zig zag their way through families crossing on the way to school, overtaking illegally on the wrong side and then gesturing and shouting at the drivers if they feel they don't have enough space etc...

Reread my post, perhaps without your fury - I say the respect is needed on both sides, not that cyclists are bad. Some are bad and some drivers are bad

[SW17 Dad]

I think what happened to your family was terrible. You should call the police they can scan the CCTV cameras, only takes a few minutes though might take them a while to work through the current queue. It's worth as by the description that woman's behaviour is a danger to all road-users.

However, as the driver of a minibus for a charity in Wandsworth from time to time I have to agree with other posts here that the Cargo-bikes are risky (though the idea is great for non-road routes). I saw a near miss only in June at the juction of St James's drive and Trinity Road. In our minibus they can't be seen corretly via the mirrors and unlike a cycle they are not slim enough to maneouvre such that they get themselves into our mirror view - as cyclists know to do when suddenly finding themselves behind a large vehicle. I have had few occassion when my heart skipped a beat with Cargo-Bikes, not as bad as scooters but a clear 2nd.