Given detention for lateness on tube strike day

No - the conversation has split into different directions.

Still not helpful for an 11 year old at this point.

Lots of the routes are in back streets. I cycled from my house to Tate Modern yesterday along a couple of cycle routes that I think make up a designated quiet route (I was following DH who knew what he was doing). Other than crossing the main road near me the whole thing was backstreets, often through estates, or dedicated cycle lanes with proper cycle lights etc, or through a park.

I’m not much of a cyclist these days but I didn’t feel in the least bit unsafe. Bit puffed out by the end, though!

I live in a busy part of town. But there are always quiet roads in either side of the main ones that are chockablock with buses and cars. Of course it takes a while to get to know the quiet routes but they’re there.

Quite, car is not a great option in london

Not generalising.
you are lucky to cycle along the canal but that isn’t the route most people have to take.

as a pedestrian I feel very unsafe.

anyway this post is about detentions !

Not my experience. As you said you now commute. Maybe you don’t live in a busy part of the city …

Traffic hasn’t though

There are over 200 miles of segregated bike lanes in london, up from just 50 miles 10 years ago, so things are improving.

It's ridiculous to generalise about cycling in London.

I can get the 5 miles to work with 80% of the route in a park or on a canal path, and most of the remaining 20% on quiet residential roads. (Which is why I have just got a bicycle)

DD goes 6 miles to College and it is 80% busy, crowded roads that are dangerous for cyclists, especially at rush hour. No way is she cycling!

I have lived here all my life (54 years). For many years I cycled to work. DH cycles to work everyday. I was last on my bike yesterday cycling into town via quiet routes. When I commute to work by train (too unfit and lazy to commute by bike any more) I see cyclists all the time.

Yes, Lime bikes can be a menace but lots of people use them to commute (so not messing around on them) and their popularity suggests that people aren’t necessarily scared of cycling because it’s unsafe, which is the point I’m making. One of my colleagues is Lime biking too work every day as it’s quicker and cheaper than the tube. He’s not the only one.

Well unfortunately too many people can't follow the rules of how to use them.

Hire bikes are a game changer for cities, they're a great way to get around and their popularity is only growing. Times move on, cities evolve. Cars can't dominate forever.

Yep…. They are dangerous… people speeding along pavements. I no longer allow my children to walk about London freely like they used to, in fear of being hit by a lime bike or an electric scooter…. They should be banned!

@Feelingsosoblue yes about 95% of Lime bikes I see being used make that clicking sound - which means they've been hacked to use without paying.
Then they get abandoned all over the bloody footpath blocking the way.
Stupid things.

Lime bike are dangerous and a nuisance! Not a great example to use.

1. They cannot go up curbs very well… know so many people who have fallen off and had quite nasty accidents - one now sueing them because she has lost the full use of her right hand. She is an artist …
2. They encourage people not to wear helmets … I don’t think I have ever seen a person wearing a helmet whilst riding a lime bike!
3. Kids and junkies using them illegally and haphazardly endangering pedestrians and other cyclists … I have seen so many accidents now
4. Idiots leaving them all over the pavements a massive hazard for people , disabled people and blind people in particular!

London streets have become even more dangerous since they have been allowed… in fact many boroughs are now taking active steps to ban them.

As the original poster mentioned .. cycle lanes painted on the road doesn’t mean it’s safe… it isn’t … you clearly don’t live here and walk around London everyday to see this for yourself !

anyway off topic this is about detentions

Some parts may be unsafe to cycle, but London has an extensive network of cycle lanes, quiet cycle routes down back streets and cycle superhighways. The huge success of Lime bikes shows that many Londoners or those visiting have felt confident enough to hop on 2 wheels.

Of course not everyone is able to cycle due to disabilities, old (or young) age etc.

The e bikes & scooters are a total menace. My daughter has had some very close shaves with them both as a cyclist (on a designated cycle path) and a pedestrian. And then in the west end (where she worked) there are those awful rickshaw things.

I am a pedestrian … I have walked everywhere in London for over 20 years …. I feel very unsafe walking in London let alone cycling….. it’s become even more dangerous with the lack of accountability on the roads and the scooters and e bikes …. Definitely very unsafe !

Many adults are also unable to cycle, due to it being actually quite unsafe in London to cycle, people with disabilities, people with anxiety… not helpful for people to project on to others …. It’s actually quite abusive.

Do you live in London ? No I don’t think you do. Cycling can be dangerous… who are you to tell people what they should do, they might be disabled and unable to cycle. I called you a Mumsnet Ninni for the passive aggressive attitude which seems to be rife on Mumsnet !

Some posters referred to adults who had trouble getting to work, thereby expanding the conversation

But this whole thread is about an 11 year old ND girl. And my much older daughter felt unsafe whilst cycling in London too.

No-one said that should happen, i said cycling is a valid option for some people of varying ages.