to not want to cycle with my DD in rush hour traffic in the morning?

[choceyes]

Now I'm an OK cyclist and I love cycling with my DD 3yrs on the back of my bike. So it seemed like the most obvious solution to the problem of having to drop DS off at school (just started Reception) nearer our home ( a 10min walk, me walking alongside DS with bike with DD in the seat) and then cycle into town where I work and where DD's nursery is (it's about 12mins cycle).

Now that I've done it a few times I feel pretty nervous and uneasy about cycling into town in the morning with her in the back. Going back is fine because I finish work at 2.30pm and so not nearly so much traffic at that time.
I myself is a good cyclist and I play by the rules, however there are some bad drivers out there in the morning (mainly cab drivers - not black cab). I would be cycling along the bicycle lane and then a car would just pull up in front of me and then I'm forced to negotiate my way into the main stream of traffic. If I go more towards the road, buses go within a hairs breath of me and I have to go via what is known as the busiest bus route in Europe (5 universities on this road).
This morning while I was crossing the road at traffic lights and I had right of way to go across, a car pulled out and did a right turn in front of me, and if I hadn't stopped suddenly there would have been an accident, even the pedestrains were shaking their heads at the car.

I don't think I can do this. DH cycles to work 10 miles each way in heavy traffic and he is evangelical about cycling. But he is a club rider and he doesn't have a 3yr old on his bike ( and being so experienced as he is, he's been knocked off his bike a couple of times - imagined if this happened to me with DD in tow).

Another mum at DS's school does the same thing, i,e cycles into town with her DD (AND she's pregnant!), so I though if she can do it so can I!
But I don't think I can. I'm thinking of taking a cab into town after dropping DS off (we don't have a car), will cost about £20-25 a week. So AIBU to want to take a cab instead?

Yanbu, it doesn't mean if someone else can do it, that it should make you feel less nervous. You have tried it and you still feel nervous about cycling so you should go ahead with the cab if that's the best alternative.

Yes the taxi, bus drivers are so unpredictable and even if you are in control of your cycling this can be so stressful. If you can manage the cab fare then why not, if its the less stressful option then go for it.

YANBU, cycling in this country is just too dangerous for the most part, there are very few cycle paths and fewer still that are completely separate from traffic. Do not let someone else pressure you into doing something that you are not comfortable with.

Ill get flamed for this...go n the pavement very slowly and give way to all pedestrians.

my heart is always in my mouth when i see parents with tiny children strapped to the back of their bikes...

There is too much traffic on our roads, and rush hour is the worst time of all for accidents to happen.

Not only that, the cyclist is often able to protect themselves if they fall off or are knocked off, a child isnt and will be more vulnerable to injury. Cycle helmets are as much use as wearing a tea cosy.

Would you feel safer with a bike trailer?

FWIW I am a very experienced cyclist and never quite felt safe with a child on the back. I cycle to work in London on my own but only ever went on quiet local roads with DS on the back.

Thanks so much for the replies.

I feel relieved and sad at the same time. Relieved because a cab would certainly be the less stressful option and we can afford it because we've been paying nursery fees for DS till recently, so not anymore so we have a bit of extra money.
Sad because I SHOULD be able to cycle on the road without fear and because I do genuinely enjoy cycling. It doesn't matter how careful I am, there is always a bad motorist who will put me (and more importantly DD) at risk and it's not fair on DD for me to take this risk. I have been a few times to Paris and Berlin where cycling with children is the norm because the traffic is very tolerant of cyclists and it is much much safer. It should be the same in this country, but it is not.
There was a police van parked outside a shop this yesterday morning with hazard lights on , on double yellow lines, on a corner, hence obscuring my view of the oncoming traffic. Hmmm...

YANBU. We cycle a LOT but I won't do any journeys on main roads with my DD. I actually couldn't even balance with her on the back. THe cab thing is my default for school...not ideal but if I have no lift, it's what I do.

I had a driver swerve to get closer to me and DH the other day....he came IN so that he scraped past us on the road. Wanker. I amost chased the bugger...I so wanted to kick his car.

I would never be upset to see a cyclist with a small child onboard on the sidewalk, so long as they knew they were the guest IYKWIM?

it is natural to feel more nervous with a small child on the back - apart from anything else, your bike feels less balanced. Any any threat to your child just seems so much worse than if it is 'just' to you.

But do you really have to use the very busy bus route? Could you consider a slightly less direct but quieter way? Doing this has changed my commute from a chore to a pleasant ride beside the river.

I'd do it and just allow plenty of time. If necessary, get off and push for a while. Assume everyone in a car is out to kill you, anticipate they'll not do the right thing and be thankful when they do.

The problem is not too much traffic, it is the small amount of motorists who don't play by the rules and the lack of respect shown for a cyclist (I don't mean anymore respect than a car driver but the same atleast).

I quite happily cycle with DD at the weekends and quieter times and feel comfortable and safe. It's just that in the rush hour everybody is in a hurry and some people are cutting corners to get somewhere just that bit quicker.

Let me guess - Oxford Road Manchester.

Personally I don't use this road. I take the A34 in and out of Manchester. I'd look at using some of the back roads. If you are coming from Fallowfield direction, use the 'cycle route' which goes behind the Toast Rack. Follow the signs as these are mainly on back streets. You then come out near Edinburgh Bike Co-op. From here I would advise you take the back roads behind the Universities - nearer Hulme, or the A34 past the Hospitals.

The problem with Oxford Road is there are too many busses and too many cars stopping at shops Rusholme is a nightmare at certain times.

bearhug there really is no alternative way. All the roads into town are full of buses. It really is a very very busy city at rush hour - and there uni students haven't even arrived yet!

I would never cycle on the pavement, even with a child. To me that is even more precarious. Dodging people, cars pulling out of drive ways etc

TheFuzz - haha!! yep that's the one!
I'm coming from Hulme direction so I don't actually go along Oxford Road, but I have to cut across it as I need to get to near Piccadilly station. It is at the junction of Oxford Rd and another road that a car cut across me today and gave me a shock. The traffic is also bad nearer piccadilly station with cars and delivary vans stopping outside shops near the university.

Have you thought about the cycle route that runs past All Saint's Park, out towards the A34, crosses there and it goes under the Mancunion Way via the 'old' UMIST site. Think that's mostly out of the traffic. The option is to walk the last bit near the station or indeed walk across the bad junctions if it makes you feel un easy.

Will add to your travel time a little, but it's better than giving up.

I'm a club cyclist so traffic doesn't bother me.

Try this site for recommended routes

cycling.tfgm.com

I know that cycle route, but it's really not a very well designed cycle route. It route runs across the pavement at junction of Upper Brook Street and the most hazardous is when the cycle route drops down towards the UMIST site and you go around a blind corner and you have cyclists coming the opposite way and it gets quite narrow there, so risk of collision with another cyclist or pedestrian is very high. DH used to take that cycle route with a bike trailer and even he though it was too dangerous. The route I take now is the most straightforward according to him.
I appreciate the tips though TheFuzz. I don't want to give up, as the journey back is fine as it's mid afternoon, it's the rush hour that makes me very nervous.

Was just going to say - I know exactly which road you mean!

No advice but I think you were very brave to attempt cycling anywhere near there with a child seat!

My only suggestion is that you get a trike because you are wider, more stable and more obvious.

If you book a regular cab service you may get it cheaper?

I was on this route this morning, out of Piccadilly station, and down Oxford Road to Moss Side. As a rule I'd also say stay off pavements, but as an alternative for your circs I would go that way - slow and respectful yes and it can work out, I think. Tomorrow I'll be crossing Oxford and Upper Brooks Streets.
I'm an experienced bikist, esp round those parts and tbh I wouldn't take a child on the back AND ride in the roads. Way too many wanker drivrs around. For me at least it would be pavements or the cab.

Gonna be a busy time for cabs, may have trouble getting one, they have lots of school runs already.

From the busiest bus route comment guessing your talking about Oxford road in Manchester?

The traffic there us psychotic I hate riding through and that's INS motorbike with lights and a horn, would dread it on a cycle.

Btw you do not want to be on two wheels near a school during the school run. Parents in those big cars seem completely blind once they have those children in them and regularly pullout/cut me up. You'd think they'd be more observant with those precious cargo but they seem to lack any spacial awareness and ability to judge speed. Or maybe they just think everyone should slam on so they can pull out when they like

I've just come down there on the way home tonight, with you in mind OP, and went up there to Moss Side this morning. I actually don't mind the 'challenge' tbh but I do tend to get v assertive as a rider around there. But I'd shrink at your circs. riding in that environment.

and yes to Sin's note re school drop offs. I rarely go past schools at that time but when I do it's with extreme caution.

YANBU. If you're not comfortable and confident doing it, don't do it!