I live in Los Angeles and commute one or two days per week by bicycle. You think bicycle commuting in London is death-defying? Try L.A.! Ha!

But more power to you, babe. A woman on a bicycle is the hottest sight in the world, so go on with your hot self.

LosFelizRider, Los Angeles, California USA

Tom,
Actually, like all the cyclists I know, I do pay road tax, insurance etc; and as cyclists are generally wealthier than non-cyclists, i suspect I pay rather more tax than you do; should I get a refund because I leave the car at home and cycle instead ?

Doug , Birmingham, England

Love your email
I totally agree with your point about cycle lanes i am visiting friends in Vancouver at the moment the cyclist are really taken care of here cycle lanes are everywhere here in loverly British columbia ken Livingston says he is a green supporter but he has not done much to support the cause, public transport in the UK is so so expensive compared to so many countries around the world please wake up ken Livingston and DO SOMETHING...

carly, london, uk

Wonderful to hear a realistic and positive piece about cycling in London! Have to say that I go for a much faster bike, two pannier bags with laptop, files, suit and gym gear - a little like my own personal pack horse. But boy do I smile all the way. On the one hand cycling is fun, energising and a great way to start and end the day (many of the office frustrations dissipate with a little rivalry between cyclists on the road!). But it is also the freedom that is so enjoyable: watching the long faces on busses, or the frustrated attempts of drivers trying to outdo each other approaching crossings ... and I just zip by! And when you arrive at work you have none of the stress of having wrestled with the millions on the tube! I hope the trend continues and many more get on their bikes. I've been at it for four years now and never looked back! Thanks Janice!

gary, london, uk

Janice buy a proper bike such as Marins Redwood
its a revelation to ride and will have you cycling forever.

wayne, huntingdon, cambs

Bravo! A really splendid articles on cycling and the general reaction it creates. I thought only america suffered from this distorted predjudice about cycling. It is only a slight exageration to say that I have had otherwise rational people reduced to furious, spitting mad, word chewing, psychotics when I tell them I am a road cyclist. I'm not sure exactly what it is that infuriates them so much. Perhaps they resent having to accomodate me on "their road", or maybe speaking to a man who is secure enough to wear lycra shorts in public is too discomfitting. Of course I prefer to see myself as a latter day longbowman using independence, personal technology, skill, and courage to shoot arrows into the thundering armoured hordes of charging, self important would be knights. Maybe what makes them angry is that like the armoured cavalry of old they know their day is past but refuse to admit it.

Joseph Thornton, Warrenton VA, USA

Why shouldn't we cyclists be arrogant? As much as motorists might hate it, we are in the right. We don't pollute, congest or cause deaths.

Why should we obey the laws of the road when they are designed purely for motorists?

And no, we shouldn't take road tests until, oh maybe cyclists are responsible of two or three percent of the deaths caused by cars.

On yer bike!

Tim, Auckland, New Zealand

Your quite right, I am a motorist and quite often also a pedestrian and I hate cyclist with a passion find and it very hard to resist pushing them off the pavement as they speed by and pray they run into a lamppost or something equally as painful, I would laugh my head off.

d case, nequay,

I don't cycle, but I support those who do - and also those who walk and use public transport. We are all on the same side - or we should be, not trying to score points off each other. It's the unrestricted tide of motorists we should be against, spewing out fumes over pedestrians, cutting up cyclists and making bus journeys slower through the congestion they cause. The congestion charging zone should be extended in London and introduced in other cities, with the proceeds going towards improving the safety and comfort of cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users alike.

Barry, Wallington, UK

No, it isn't only you who will die when you jump one of Ken's lights - you are going to kill a toddler who has jumped ahead of his buggy - pushing mother because he saw the man turn green. Some hero. NYC bike messengers also fancy themselves a law unto themselves, and trick themselves out in outlaw hairdos and accessories while they tear around the mean streets, or the mean pavements, if it happens to be easier for them. They kill and maim plenty of people every year, the majority elderly and the very young - I guess these must be the dozy passive types you refer to. There is a very good reason why cyclists are meant to respect the rules of the road - people get hurt otherwise. Have consideration for others when you are out and about.

Stephanie Scott, London,

Ha! Nice article, encapsulating many of the pros and cons of a cycling lifestyle. Love the line: 'The London cyclist’s default expression is grim' ; it made me laugh 'cause it's certainly true in my case! I don't agree with cycling on the pavement though as all cyclists suffer the disapproving attitude of other road users because of such unlawful actions by a few anarchistic fools.

Katharine, London,

I ride a motorcycle into the City of London each day and trhere's only one thing worse than a scooter rider and thats a cyclist, red lights don't apply to them, stick an arm out and the world has to give way to you, no road sense at all. I agree with Tom of Colchester, insurance, road tax and education/testing might make these people think a bit more about other road users

Nick, Potters Bar, Herts

The portability and easy storage of a folding bicycle greatly extends the versatility of these exercise and personal transport solutions, which nowadays can be much lighter than the folders of years ago.

Navigating a busy thoroughfare (such as around the Hyde Park underpass) can be a hair-raising experience, however, and city traffic management with more provision for cyclists should now be an urgent priority.

dr venables preller, Warminster, UK

The only good thing Red Ken has done has been to introduce the anti-cyclist bendy bus.

All cyclists should have to pass a test, pay road tax and have insurance in the same way as other road users.

Tom, Colchester, UK

The next step along the true path of the folding biker is to get rid of that nasty Taiwanese Dahon and buy a Brompton.

Redcliffe, London,

"Here lies the body of old John Gray
Who died defending his right-of-way,
He was right - dead right - as he rolled along,
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong"

Ben, Reading, UK

A good piece. Very enjoyable and with some humour.

Paul, Sheffield, UK