Who' d have thunk it?

It seems that Terrorism and union activity have done what no Government campaign could achieve- a potentially healthier London!

After 7/7 (a stupid DJ-ish soundbite for a distinctly nasty and profound event), bicycle use in London went up something like 400%.

Today the tubes are mainly closed, due to industrial action by Metronet maintenance staff. The upshot is that the buses can't cope with the numbers and the parks and pavements are full of people walking. Several of them look unhappy- probably the same people that think Ken should cancel the Congestion Charge and let people park wherever they want on such days (cos that will really get you home quicker- idiots). Many, however, look quite serene and are chatting away with people they would usually ignore on the Tube. They are ambling along, taking the air in the parks (which, admittedly, makes it harder for all the post- terrorism cyclists, but you cant have everything) and enjoying it. So what if the dinner is an hour late and you miss some mind-numbing TV - GOOD!
I wonder how many of them will take a look at themselves and think,'Actually, I like this walking lark- think I'll do it more often'.

So, how do we do those other things that Government campaigns fail to deliver? Such as Healthy Eating. How about all the people who work in Fast food restaurants(?) and ready-meals factories going on strike, forcing us to buy fresh produce. Brilliant- Go on, guys!


(Metronet is a prime example of the worst of PFI, where my own Central Line was closed for many weekends for essential engineering work which never actually took place. Metronet have now gone into administration because they were crap. I have a lot of sympathy for the workers but none for the company itself, and I rejoice in the hope that Londoners may now get something better.)