CYCLING IN GLASGOW
I have been cycling in Glasgow for a while now and although there are lots of cycle "lanes" across the city, it seems as if the council never really gave too much thought in the planning and implementation of them. Often there are cycle lanes which will suddenly end or, as seen below, are barricaded in. What the fuck!? It's almost as bad as the prevalent sprinkling of glass that populate a lot of the lanes.

Similarly, what's the point in having bike lanes, when cars park in them, as seen below?

Worst of all are some drivers in Glasgow. Don't get me wrong, most drivers in Glasgow are conscientious and give me loads of cruising space on Glasgow roads. However, some drivers have been total dicks. And can I just point out that all the drivers that have raced past me, inches away from my bike, have ALL BEEN MALE? Seriously, I am a girl on a bike, casually cruising along to my destination, when suddenly some dick aggressively revs his engine before speeding past me at a ridiculous pace.
Another problem is drivers going through red lights. On average, I see about two cars a day on my commute, gunning it through red lights. In fact, a couple weeks ago while walking to work, I was actually grazed/ hit by a car that went through a red light while it was a pedestrian turn to cross. As I crossed the busy intersection, a Pakistani dude in a black Mercedes jumped the red light and turned the corner, causing me to jump out of the way. His car actually JUST nicked me but stopped in time before careening into me. Just as quickly, and realising he had hit me, he screeched his tires and peeled away. I was so shocked, I didn't have time to get his license plate but I did have time to punch the side of his car before he got away.
Also, since when do some men think it's ok to sexually harass women on bikes? What is it about the sight of a woman on a bike that stirs some men to harass us? In fact, on my commute home tonight, one Pakistani dude actually catcalled and made some weird guttural noises at me. I sneered back at me and gave him my best, "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?" look in effort to shame him.
Also tonight, a Glaswegian dude in a car, pulled up beside me at a red light, looked me up and
down and said, "Alright, love? Been shopping?"
down and said, "Alright, love? Been shopping?"
But still, nothing beats cycling across this city on a lovely sunny day.
POST SCRIPT: This morning there was yet another article about abuse hurled at female
cyclists. The author of the article, Dawn Foster, even started a blog about her encounters as a
cyclist in London, aptly titled, 101 Wankers.
POST SCRIPT: This morning there was yet another article about abuse hurled at female
cyclists. The author of the article, Dawn Foster, even started a blog about her encounters as a
cyclist in London, aptly titled, 101 Wankers.