I always drove the two miles to my kids training. Tonight we cycled, in the rain, through the streets of Ealing. On the way we hurried along, single file, late as usual. On the way back, slower, cycling two a breast, through the side streets with no traffic to be weary off ..

Through the quiet streets we cycled, chatting about football, music and school. My kid got best player and was happy and I was happy for them.The back streets of Ealing, dark and wet, felt safe and calm. The rain, the only noise, it was almost dream like, but never threatening

We were soaked but we didn't rush, we just ambled along, side by side, taking 10 mins out of life, just for ourselves. You could argue we can do that any time, but we never did, I never did, too busy rushing from a to b in the car..

... never realising the journey could be half the fun, if not more, never thinking cycling would be a safe option for us on a wet night in October, conditioned into thinking in the residential streets of Ealing are reserved for cars, not people.

And it was such a tonic after a pretty shitty work day. A sweet moment, slightly soured with a pang of regret, it was the first time in their 12 years on this planet that we did this. And it only happened, cause someone in LBE decided to place a couple of bollards on a few roads

I know the LTNs don't work for everyone and people have genuine concerns for which I hope a solution is found, but truth of the matter is I wouldn't have dusted of my 16 year old bike and cycled (never mind cycled in the rain) tonight only for the wooden crates on the roads

I would have drove, concentrateing on the road while grunting at the kid complaining of being hungry in the back seat. You may not have noticed but on Ealing Road this Tuesday and for the foreseeable future, there was 1 less car in front of you.I hope it ment you got home sooner