Just got back off the nursery run, every morning I say, "I'm not doing it anymore, I'm going to walk!" and then every morning I'm too late to walk and we're in a massive so ds just gets bundled in the car. (I know, very eco-unfriendly and lazy but it's time, innit?)
There's an evangelical bicycle dad at the nursery who I'm on nodding terms with, and as I came steaming through the gates with ds, apoplectic with rage about yet more rude, pushy and aggressive drivers he says, serenely, "I'll never understand why you don't just cycle!"
AARRRGH! Perhaps it's because I have no wish to fear for my life every time I set off out the door? Perhaps it's because I'm more concerned for ds' safety on the back of my bike? Perhaps it's because I DON'T ACTUALLY OWN A FREAKIN BIKE?!?!
Last month we went on holiday to Holland, where I had no qualms about sticking ds in a bicycle seat and cycling all over the place. It was great. Ds loved it, I got a little bit fit, I had no fear for my life and I wasn't stressed out and angry behind the wheel of my car. I hate driving in the morning - the commuters and daily pile up outside the nursery (which is next to a primary school) have contributed to my blood pressure spike, I am sure!
BUT if there were more safe, designated bicycle routes - and I'm not just talking about lines painted on the road which everyone ignores anyway - would more people get out and cycle? I know I would. But the vitriol towards cyclists in this country really scares me - my IL's live in Surrey, near Box Hill which attracts a lot of mountain bikers, and they hate it. I think they see the road as for them only, as FIL drives his absurd Range Rover and they pay road tax, don't they?
Ok, rant over (cause I should go and do some work) but - AIBU?