Question: Is it legal or technically illegal to “scoot” your bike on a pavement? Scooting is what you can see the adorable granny doing in the video above (thanks @yvessalmon for sharing!)

• Totally fine! I do it all the time
• Illegal! I know I may be fined for this

This was the question posed to me by Cas via email. Cas was stopped by two PCSO’s after scooting through Smithfield Market.

It was time to refer to my wonderful Twitterers for answers.

They pointed me to the ultimate website for answers to the questions that begin with “Is it legal to….” – the UK Cycle Rules blog.

Inside the blog was this post on riding on footpaths which says:

“freewheeling or standing on one pedal still counts as riding. (DPP v Selby [1994] RTR 157, 162; Crank v Brooks [1980] RTR 441, 442-3)”

The judgement stated:

"In my judgment a person who is walking across a pedestrian crossing pushing a bicycle, having started on the pavement on one side on her feet and not on the bicycle, and going across pushing the bicycle with both feet on the ground so to speak is clearly a ‘foot passenger’. If for example she had been using it as a scooter by having one foot on the pedal and pushing herself along, she would not have been a ‘foot passenger’. But the fact that she had the bicycle in her hand and was walking does not create any difference from a case where she is walking without a bicycle in her hand. I regard it as unarguable the finding that she was not a foot passenger "

A couple of readers also talked about friends who had received a fine.

Definitely illegal then. I imagine however, you’d have to be caught by a fairly grumpy or “by the book” policeman to receive the fine.

See also:

• Ever been doored? It is actually illegal
• What cyclists can be fined for

Here are 7 of my favourite tips from last weeks Zalando Competition where people submitted their tips for new cyclists. I’ve included the winning entry at the end.

Ben Broomfield

Don’t ride without protection! Always carry a puncture repair kit and pump.

- I was wondering how this post was going to end and I was pleased with a great and simple suggestion that is so often ignored.

mick allan

It feels counter-intuitive at first but spinning the pedals fast in a low gear promotes excellent cardiovascular health, reduces strain on your joints and on your bike, allows you to accelerate quicker and you get quicker gear changes. But the bottom line really is a bottom line, spinning gives you a well defined rear-end and lovely lean legs.

- Love this suggestion by Mick! An excellent entry – who doesn’t like having a well defined rear – a great side benefit of cycling.

ramblor

Scope out your cycle route when it’s quiet, say on a Sunday afternoon. This way you’re not navigating around unfamiliar junctions in rush hour. And also don’t always look for the gap – I see so many cyclists who seem oblivious of danger because they’ve seen a gap they can cycle through. If you’re unsure just slow down and assess your options in exactly the same way as if you were driving.

- I’ve given this tip many a time after I’ve my bad first experience of commuting into work. A great tip!

Lizzy

My tip is to take a cycle training course, regardless of how good you already think you are! A lot of local councils will offer free training, so make the most of it! I took level 2 and 3 Bikeability (just a hour or two each) and learnt things I would never have thought of, including many of the tips people have already given here.

- A few people recommended cycle training and I couldn’t agree more about how useful it is. Yet, still most people will read this and keep riding without ever contacting them!

Hannah

My advice would be – persist! It’s bloomin’ cold out today, your bum will hurt for the first week or so (mine hurt the week before last just after having not ridden for a few weeks over Christmas) and you will forget your towel/a change of pants/your shirt [delete as appropriate] a few times. I have worn a hot pink sports bra under a white blouse for a complete working day, so I feel your pain.

Soon the bum pain will be in the past, you will have a finely-tuned routine and will be thankful you persisted. You will get to work for free, get your exercise for free and in otherwise-redundant time you would spend commuting anyway. Plus you will see and get to know so much more of the city by cycling.

Persist!!

- Well summed up! I’m sure many new cyclists go through the exact same experience.

Jon

Keep £20 in your bike bag. If you get a flat at night, in the cold, in the dark, when late or in somewhere unsafe, black taxis are surprisingly friendly about picking up cyclists in distress.

Learn to change flats at a time and place of your choosing. And if you get kevlar belts in your tyres, you may not even get a flat.

- I’ve heard lots of great stories of black cabs stopping for cyclists and allowing them to put their bike in the taxi. Keep that emergency £20 with you!

Our winning entry

I loved all the tips but Julie’s stood out for me:

Julie

Hold a confident, consistent line in traffic. I got back on my bike to start cycling to work last year through Central London traffic, and that was the thing that made the biggest difference to me. My instinct had been to hug the curb, or dip back into spaces where there weren’t any parked cars, but holding a firm line a sensible distance out from the curb, and staying out if there’s anything less than a good long gap in parked cars, makes it much easier for other traffic to see you and to know what you’re going to do next. Oh, and enjoy it! Even if it’s chilly or windy or drizzly, it’s still better than being stuck on public transport.

Thanks everyone and keep your eyes open for future competitions!

See also: 10 lessons learned from cycle commuting for a year

We started off the year with some rather dramatic wind speeds sweeping across the UK and London. For some cyclists, this meant brushing the dust off the Oyster card and braving the public transport system. Undoubtedly, as soon as the aggressive fare rises were noticed, promises were made to get back on the bike.

So with no option of public transport how do you cycle into headwind?

• Reduce your resistance: This is the time when bikes with drop handlebars come into their element. Get down low over the handlebars to reduce the amount of wind resistance your body creates. If your bike doesn’t have drop handlebars then you may be able to fit aero bars. Remember to keep your elbows in. For an extreme solution – get on a recumbent bike!
• Avoid loose fitting clothes: They’ll flap wildly in the wind and slow you down. Think lycra.
• Gear down: Cycling into headwind feels similar to riding uphill. With someone having a huge fan at full speed in front of your face. You should gear down just as you would when hill climbing. This will help prevent any knee problems.
• Slipstream: If you are riding with someone or near a fellow commuter there is the option of slipstreaming. This can improve your performance by around 30%. Of course some bike commuters don’t particularly want you slipstreaming them.
• Pack light: This is the right time to be very strict with what you’ve packed on your bike – aim to reduce it and you’ll feel the benefit more than ever when cycling into a headwind.

Did you brave cycling into the headwind? How did you find it? Any tips for fellow commuters?

It’s easy as we head into winter to lose motivation to cycle. Grey gloomy views make you think maybe I’ll just take the tube or bus today. However, as someone who’s given up on the bike only to come running back, I can tell you it’s worth sticking to it. Here’s some tips that work well for me and that should help you stay part of the cycling brotherhood and sisterhood.

Having the right gear

If water keeps splattering on your back, your feet are wet and your hands feel cold then it won’t be too long before you turn your back on cycling to work. Upgrading your kit shouldn’t be too painful an expense.

For the hands the Endura Strike Waterproof glove provides warmth and waterproofing. The cost is £27.95 which is nearly the same price as a week long TfL Travelcard. The Endura Strike comes in both male and female styles.

Keeping your feet dry is a little more of a challenge. DIY solutions such as a plastic bag over your socks work surprisingly well but a pair of Seal Skinz socks should also be considered, especially at the current clearance price of £17.38. If wet feet remain a persistent problem, then a pair of winter cycling shoes or overshoes should put the problem to rest for good.

Keeping the rest of your body dry and warm is a matter of grabbing a good waterproof cycling jacket and a pair of waterproof trousers. The DHB minima cycling jacket and waterproof trousers are exceptional value for money and will pack down nicely in your bag. Alternatively, you may already cycle with waterproof shorts. It’s a matter of personal preference. 

How to get organised for winter cycling

Winter cycling may mean a couple of tweaks to your normal cycling routine. Whereas previously you may have got away with cycling in the same kit you wear all day, in the winter you need to be ready for the changing weather. Otherwise, you’ll end up arriving at work too sweaty or soaking wet. The best way to tackle this is to have a couple of layers ready. As your body temperature rises, you can lose a layer.

A change into dry clothes is another essential part of getting organised for winter. Getting these clothes into work without them getting soaked is possible using waterproof panniers, a waterproof bag or buying a waterproof cover for your bag. The Hump Cover is a popular option as it has plenty of reflective material.

Using the stats

Keeping an eye on your cycling computer is another way to stay motivated. Stats such as distance cycled and calories burnt keep the motivation high and mean you can avoid feeling bad when tucking into those hearty Christmas meals.

Consider the alternative

If all else fails then there’s nothing like a quick stint on public transport to get you back on your bike. Not only is it expensive but it’s also often overcrowded and slow. Give me the bike any day!

See also:

• Waterproof cycling trousers
• How’s your winter cycling coming along?
• Solution to watery eyes during winter cycling
• Tips to keep you cycling safely this winter

Do you know what your bike is worth? It’s not that easy to know and that is why we are now providing a free bicycle valuation service to everyone who visits Going Going Bike. We’ll be totally honest with you and tell you whether your bike is worth a tidy sum that will pay for a dream holiday to the Tour de France or if it is really not worth much at all.

Because we’ve been helping people buy and sell bikes for well over a year we know what bikes cost. Throughout that time we have built up a pool of knowledge and data about prices and valuations of second hand bikes which puts us in a tremendous position to advise you about the value of your bike.

Since we began valuing bikes we’ve had lots of interest from Brompton owners. This is partly because we are the official marketplace for used Brompton bicycles. Below is a photo of one of the recent Brompton’s we’ve valued. They keep their value really well and, so long as they have been kept in good condition, tend to be worth between £450 and £600.

We were recently asked to value the following Specialized Rockhopper mountain bike. It was 4 years old, 19 inches and stated to be in good condition. We valued it at between £150 and £180 and it was subsequently sold on the Going Going Bike marketplace for £150. A pleasing result!

Apart from the mountain of pricing data we have built up in this time, we take into account a variety of factors including the age of the bike, the condition it is in and the bike’s make and model. We’ll also credit the added value given to your bike if you’ve added new or better components/parts to the bike.

Just a note of caution though. A used bike is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. The price someone is willing to pay for your bike will vary on the type of bike you are selling. Generally road bikes with drop handlebars and mountain bikes raise the highest prices. Kids bikes notoriously struggle to sell for a high price, while  bikes with step-through frames also tend not to hold value.

Like antiques, a rare vintage bike brand will retain value and be priced accordingly. Similarly a bike with branded components such as Campagnola groupsets or wheels will be more sought after.

Since we began offering our valuation service we have been asked to value a fabulous array of bicycles. Road, hybrid and mountain bikes have predominated but we’ve also been sent some wonderful vintage bikes. It’s always a pleasure to receive valuation requests and we will look forward to hearing from you.

Apart from offering our bike valuation service, Going Going Bike also provides a quick and easy place to sell a bike for free. You can list a bike even if you are not certain that anyone will want to buy your old bike.

Thanks to Andrew from Going Going Bike for providing this useful article.

Over time I’ve investigated a number of options for carrying my shopping from the supermarket to my house. I started off simply loading the shopping on my handlebars. This, as you would expect, often turns into a bit of a disaster and makes for some very wobbly steering. I’ve also tried a big gym bag that I lug over my back. The weight of the shopping always makes it rather uncomfortable. Panniers are another option but I prefer riding without my rack attached so each time I have to re-attach it. Plus, carrying the bags around the supermarket is a pain. Perhaps a solution would be to go with something extreme such as the Burley Travoy Urban Trailer System. At £251 it’s an expensive option and doesn’t look particularly attractive. However, it would certainly get the job done.

How do you go about getting your shopping from the supermarket to home?

Let’s take a look at exactly how it does that.

First of all the eBook dispels the myth of not enough hours in the day and introduces you to the process of getting the life-sport balance in sync.

The book then goes into some common scenarios. Such as disagreements with your partner about how often you are cycling and scheduling too many activities that leave you tired and frustrated without being able to see the results of a consistent improvement.

It then starts to offer solutions and breaks down the process of managing your time and optimising what you get out of each training session. The emphasis here is on quality over quantity. On making sure you are not overtraining and burning out.

If you follow the process and use the worksheets provided in the eBook you start to break down the hours in the day, analyse what is and isn’t working and work out what you want to get out of your training. The book encourages you to really think what it is you are looking for. On the surface that might be to compete in sportives but it pushes you to dig deeper to find your motivations.

Admittedly, it does feel a little “new-agey” and a bit cringe worthy for my liking but it clearly comes from years of Rebecca’s personal experience combined with what she has learnt over time listening to fellow cyclists.

In the next section the book breaks down how to schedule in recovery time, set goals and build a training plan for the year. It also shows you the importance of having a group to push you with your cycling and where additional training time can be fitted in. It rounds off by giving 10 time savings tricks.

Overall, I’m impressed with the Cyclist’s Time Efficiency Formula. Contained within the 58 pages is a lot of practical advice. Like anything, it relies heavily on you being motivated to follow all the steps. Which is probably where most will falter. If you’ve really not got a training plan in place, have no idea when to train and when to recover and you are struggling to improve your performance then its worth a look.

For those who’ve already got a system in place that is working then this isn’t something you’ll need.

The Cyclist’s Time Efficiency Formula is available at $19.95 and there’s a full video explanation by Rebecca on this page.

I’ve been getting a few emails lately that go along the lines of:

“Oh holy Andreas, with your infinite cycling wisdom, how do I go about finding more people to cycle with?”

Personally, I enjoy going out for a ride with a friend. It combines a good catch up with exercise and enjoyment of the great outdoors as well as seeing places I’ve never previously visited. (Cue promotion for my London Cycle Routes eBook).

One of the friends I occasionally cycle with, I’ve known since school and the other I met when I moved to London through meetup.com. The one enjoys a bit of a moan (“could you have taken me on a ride with any more hills?”) and the other is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met (“Riding 120 miles in the dark is amazing”).

So how can you meet up with people you’ll get along with and share a mutual love of cycling?

Join a cycling club

The obvious is to join a cycling club. That of course isn’t for everyone. There’s also..

Your local cycling campaign group

Take a look on http://lcc.org.uk/pages/in-your-area and see if your local group is organising any rides. Camden cyclists organise more rides than I could ever go on.

Forums

Getting involved in cycling forums such as lfgss.com can foster good relationships on the forums that can be taken into real life when meet ups are organised.

Go to where the cyclists are

London is full of great cycling events. The Bicycle Film Festival and the Hackney Bicycle Film Society are two I can think of off the top of my head that could be a good chance to meet fellow cyclists. Just go along with an open mind and start chatting to people. Of course there’s also the London Naked bike ride which could make for interesting conversations..

Tap into your none cycling friends

Running londoncyclist.co.uk I’ve seen plenty of my friends get sucked into the cycling world. Now I’ve got a larger pool of people I can suggest a ride with on the weekend. Find a friend who’s on the fence about getting a bike and push them over. Metaphorically speaking of course.

Meetup.com

I met one of my cycling buddies through meetup.com at the London Bloggers Meetup (I also won a laptop there once – but that’s another story). Just search for Cycling in London and you’ll see plenty of groups.

Over to the commenters..

How did you meet the people you cycle with?

See also:

• Are you part of a cycling club?
• London Bike Rides iPhone app
• Do you cycle into work on your own or with someone else?
• What bike do you ride into work?

How do you get your shirts into work uncreased?

I iron them, fold them, put them in my bag and cycle them in. Then I store a weeks worth of shirts in the office locker. I’ve found they don’t get that creased in the bag and most of the time I’m wearing a suit jacket anyway.

However, my answer is a bit boring and I feel someone might have a better solution. E.g. Wrapping shirts around a book? Special bag for carrying shirts? Never taking shirts home and instead using a Drycleaner?

Fill me with shirt related wisdom in the comments!

Being a keen daily cyclist and a yoga teacher, I am often wondering how many London cyclists actually stretch out their cycling muscles.

I wonder like me, if you stay in bed in the mornings for as long as possible so when you get to work dead on time, there is no chance for a stretch, and when you get home all you want to do is cook dinner or relax!

To keep the balance in the body it is important to counter stretch the cyclists position, which I fondly refer to as the prawn position – hunched forward, shoulders, abs, hips, wrists and neck short and taught. The neck and digestive areas have such important functions they do deserve a stretch out every few days. (Lance Armstrong takes yoga classes twice a week!!)

Today I want to take a moment to look at the neck area.

When we cycle we need to keep our eyes up so as we are leaning forward that means the back of the neck gets slightly crunched and shortened. These muscles and get very strong to support the head, but need to stay long to avoid long term pain or disc damage. It is clear from the cyclists workshops I hold that most people feel sore in the shoulder and the next from cycling.

Below I am demonstrating 3 poses that can lengthen the back of the neck.

Yoga Pose 1: Neck alignment

Firstly you need to master the art of lengthening the back of the neck, without tightening and gripping the front of the neck. Try now if you are sitting or standing comfortably to imagine someone is pulling your spine up from a string attached to the top of your head.

Can you do this without gripping the front muscles, so eventually the neck feels soft and long?

Yoga Pose 2: Neck stretches

Keeping this alignment tilt the head to the right and extend the left arm away.

Make sure you are gently lengthening the back of the neck, without pulling and that the head is above the pelvis – i.e., you are not sticking your head forward slightly.

Keeping your head tilted turn your chin towards your right shoulder. You should feel a stretch down the left side of the neck – not crunching on the right side. If you feel crunching go softer and pull gently up by your strings.

Pose 3: Forward bend

Standing with feet hip width apart and toes facing forward, keeping the knees softly bent, gently roll down to hanging and hold on to the elbows. You want to let the head hang down COMPLETELY so that the 10 pound weight of the head lengthens the back of the neck. We are often holding tension in this area, so really concentrate and breathe deeply to keep relaxing and letting it drop. When it is really relaxed the chin hangs near the chest. There should be no muscular activity in this area. If this pulls the back bend the knees and stay here for 5-10 breaths.

I run 2 hour yoga for cyclist workshops in London. Even if you are just an occasional cyclist, its fun, super informative and everyone leaves feeling stronger, longer, looser, relaxed and full of information about which stretches or movements they need to do for their personal posture or weak areas.

My next workshop is 11^th June 2011 at Evolve Yoga Centre in South Ken. £25 early birds, £30 on the day. verity@kickstep.org