Rule 10 - cold weather

"On a cold day, wear as many layers as possible and insist on opening all the windows rather than take your coat/jumper etc off."

I am making an exception to this rule for the time being. Passengers on Southeastern services only are allowed to open windows and strip down to their indoor clothes (but only that far!) on any service that resembles an oven. Once this train company see fit to regulate their heating so that passengers are not made to feel faint, are not being cooked and are not having to worry about their food being cooked, then this rule will be reinstated in its entirety. 

Rule 4 - Disabled seats

As I walked through the train lookin for a seat this morning, I was a little annoyed that two people were seating in my favourite place. I love the fold down seats on the DLR that is the priority area for wheelchair users. But I have to admire them for refusing the give up even one of those seats for the guy that got on that was in a wheelchair. I'm sure he wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone by making them move. 

Rule 3 - taking up seat space

Hats off to the person who managed this this morning:

I'm assuming the case belonged to the gentleman across the aisle (as there was no-one else in that part of the carriage). The gentleman was also keeping the rule as he was on the aisle seat and thereby preventing anyone from sitting next to him. Luckily at the time I got on there was plenty of other seating available - but this train gets busier further up the line. 

Rule 17 - Reading

This is the rule that 99% of people have no difficulty in keeping it seems, myself included.  I've actually become quite good at judging my surroundings while catching up on Facebook and Twitter after a busy day at work.

Tonight though was the best example yet.  Back in March I posted about the woman walking along reading who managed to avoid walking into anything (here) and I was disappointed that she didn't.  However, whilst walking home from the station looking at my own message, I looked up just in time to see a young lady falling up the kerb as she was so engrossed in her phone.  I couldn't help but laugh!  Is that mean? I don't think so - she wasn't hurt (well, maybe her pride just a little).

Bicycles

Having had a few incidents with cyclists recently (nearly being run over by them being the main one), I think it's time for some rules in relation to bikes. After all, they are commuters too. 

1.  You must never where a helmet or hi viz jacket. If you forget and do wear a hi viz jacket/vest, you must put your bag over it. Under no circumstances should you put the jacket over the bag. 

2. You must not have lights on your bike - pedestrians and other road users have excellent night vision/lights of their own and will be able to see you, especially when you are wearing dark clothing on an unlit road. 

3. Red traffic lights do not apply to you. You can ride straight through them - and straight through any pedestrian trying to cross the road. Other traffic is fair game too - your body will make a nice dent in a car or van and you may even get bed and breakfast in a hospital bed for a few days! You may also go onto the pavement to avoid a red light.

4.  If you do decide to wait at a red light (after all, your legs may need a rest), stop alongside a car or van and lean against it. 

5. If you feel unsafe on the road, you may cycle on he pavement. Pedestrians do not have right of way - they are blocking your access and you can give them dirty looks or shout at them. Again, if you are feeling tired, walk along pushing your bike - pedestrians love you for doing this, after all, you can't run them over if your walking and you're not taking up extra room in an already crowded pavement). 

6.  Cycling with a friend? Ride side by side so you can catch up on all the gossip. 

7. Traffic too noisy? Plug in your iPod to block out all the road sounds. You don't need to hear the lorry, police car etc coming. 

8. Traffic signs do not apply to you - it's only cars etc that are restricted on one way streets and have to give way at road junctions. 

9. Cycle lanes are just for show - especially on a busy road. You should actually ride on the wrong side of the road to making turning easier. 

10.  If you need to turn right at a junction and you are on the correct side, you must cross in front of the other traffic - they have brakes and even if they are faster than you can still apply them in time. 

11. You must drive close to lorries, buses and other large vehicles. Drivers of these love to try and spot you hiding just out of sight of their wing mirrors!

12. Always overtake on the inside. It's also fun to swerve into he road from the pavement at the last minute.  We all love to hear the squeal of breaks and the sounding of horns. 

There are also a few things to consider when taking your bike in a train during rush hour. 

13. When the train company says folding bikes only, they do not of course mean you. You can of course take your massive racing bike into a packed train. 

14. You must place your bike - unfolded - diagonally across the doorway. This works well if there is another bike already on board or a pram or pushchair. 

15. Worried your bike may fall over while you are sitting comfortably further down the carriage? Chain it up - blocking the gangway and/or door is best. Combination locks or padlocks are best for his but bungee cords wrapped around the pole several times will also work. 

16. When using stairs to get too:from the platform, your bike must be carried on your shoulder and you must not wait until the rush of people has gone. People don't really mind getting a few bruises or knocked down the stairs!

Happy cycling! 

Many thanks to my friends on Facebook for their help in compiling these rules. 

Be a rebel occasionally - break the rules!

Which is right?

While we were all readily observing Rules 11 and 12 at the Northern Line gate at Bank tonight, a father and his young daughter were trying to exit. The dad steered his child towards the exit, saying "we need to go this way". The young girl promptly started saying "excuse me please" and people were slowly moving out of her way (slowly because everyone was so spread out and it was so packed they really had nowhere to go). The dad said, "no just push through". The daughter's response? To say even more loudly "excuse me please". 

Which was right?

I love it when kids have better manners than their parents!

Rule 4 - Giving up your seat

Lovely example of practically a whole carriage observing this rule tonight. 

It started simply enough. A lady with crutches boarded the train at Woolwich Arsenal. Due to her incapacity, she needed to hold on to the rail to aid her. The young lady standing by the rail didn't move meaning she had problems. She was then unable to get a seat and everyone kept their heads down ignoring her.  Two gentlemen walked through from  the next carriage - one moving further along and the other stopping right by this lady. 

As we got to Plumstead one of the seated passengers got up to get off. She did apologise and said she hadn't realised. But she was hardly out of her seat when the second gentleman above jumped into it. Cue shock and outrage from those still standing!

But well done to everyone for still refusing to give up their seats. I guess they must all be pregnant or have hidden disabilities!