This was the scene outside my local shopping centre today when I went to do my Mother’s Day shopping. Also, this ….In fact, every approach to the intersection was closed with emergency and police vehicles everywhere, due to the overturned truck. This was very frustrating for the car drivers around, but not so much for cyclists, and though it was a little irritating not to be able to take my usual course, I was only delayed for about 30 seconds.

In emergency situations, bikes are much better to be on than cars, I have found. After the storm and flood of June 2007, I went out by bike, as many roads were blocked by fallen trees and bikes were by far the most effective way to get around.