I try to cycle to work as often as I can (2-3 times a week)…

Sydney is a beautiful place to live, and lends itself to outdoor escapades – however the majority of drivers are on another planet – I believe that the perception of me riding a bike is the fact that ‘I can’t afford a car’ rather than something I choose to do.

Whatever the reality is – it doesn’t really matter, the thing is I’m fighting for my life every time I ride.

At least once every journey I have some muppet almost clip me as they race to try and beat the lights, or make their turn.

I actually was hit the other week (clipped my handle bars, but didn’t knock me off).

I have this vision that I’m going to rip off wing mirrors and d-lock the bonnet of the car – but of course I don’t. I cycled up to this guy (the lights were red, so he couldn’t get away), who wound down his window, and sought to get an apology…. but he said nothing, absolutely nothing.

So I calmly explained to him that the lump of expensive metal that he was driving (Mercedes) could have stolen my life. I also rose with him that there are other road users other than him.

London (my home city), despite being chaotic, does have a ‘critical mass’ of cyclists, scooters and motorbikes – so drivers do check their mirrors – and don’t just open doors. I cycled for 2 years, everyday in London and had only one accident – which, on reflection was my fault – for hanging in a blind spot.

Back to the driver I’m ‘telling off’, he remained silent throughout this whole lecture – and even neglected to comment at the end. I can only hope that my words may have hit some part of his tiny brain – so that from now on his more aware of people who choose to travel in this way. Perhaps he may check his mirrors, or at least give cyclists, scooters etc. a wide birth as he heads to his ultimate destination.

I’m reading a great book at the moment, that has no alignment with 2 wheel awareness, but does project a Slow and more considered way of living. It’s called ‘In praise of Slow’ and is written by ‘Carl Honore’. Ironically its taken me a while to read it… but every time I dig in, in unwraps more insight and virtues to taking the time to enjoy our surroundings, food, friends and most importantly this planet of ours.

Living in the fast lane – means everything just flys-by in a blur… I’m endeavouring to take on some of these ideals, as I firmly believe in them, plus the fact that it’s just commonsense.

Perhaps if we all took the time to slow down, and observe our surroundings we’d all get to where we were going – and enjoy the trip along the way.