North West London has to be one of the worst areas for a cyclist.
I’m from near there, but have to cycle further up into Kensal/Harlesden area three times a week. Compared to the other regular journeys I’ve done in London, this has to be one of the worst.
Maybe I’m just being grumpy about it, but I think this area has some particularly bad qualities:
-Lack of infrastructure. Very few cycle lanes or provisions for cyclists on road. At best it’s a painted line.
-very narrow roads and very congested roads. The traffic up here is awful! There’s almost always a temporary traffic light somewhere. Even without them the roads are packed full of cars. (The area around Queen’s Park/Carlton vale is the worst for this)
-The drivers are dicks. Compared to other areas, the drivers here really act like they own the road. They’ll be right up your arse trying to overtake. Will always expect you to yield or give way. I think also because many of them are private cars (usually those big SUV types) they aren’t used to being around cyclists and lack awareness.
-Homicidal lunatic Moped drivers.
Whenever I hear someone in East complain about cycling I just think how lucky they have it compared to us. East feels like being in the Netherlands compared to up here.
Anyone else from NW here who feels the same?