Watch: The dangers of only riding in the bike lane in a car-centric world

Do I know how this guy feels. I cycle into work quite a bit and it can be nerve wracking sometimes. Assuming the cycle lane isn't full of parked cars (as it usually will be) I find its often necessary to cycle defensively, for example giving a good 4-6ft of clearance around any parked vehicle as drivers are prone to open doors without looking (even if they're just after overtaking you before parking up). I've become accustomed to the droning sound of a taxi's diesel engine as I'm convinced that they and bus drivers need to runover a certain quota of cyclists per year in order to keep their license. Often I find its necessary to cycle in the middle of the carriageway to stop them overtaking as they'll get obsurdly close to you (either that or need to fit Boddica's to my bike like in Ben Hur). And the attiude of police is hardly better. I was once stopped by the cops for cycling on the pavement. I had to point out to them that actually the pavement was the designated cycle lane (there were a few signs up but hidden by leaves). I presume the guy who came up with that never cycles. Of course I've several times seen people do illegal turnabouts and U-turns in full view of the cops and not a word been said to them. And Pedestrians can be as big a problem as motorists. Numerous times I've had pedestrians look both ways before crossing the road, and I mean look at me and then step right in front of me! I find a bell is a good idea and if you see a kid even think of crossing the road strart braking! I've come with a whisker of running over some wee scally wag....twice! I'm going to have to go out with Reclaim the streets sometime!