Bike Lights in the Fruit Bowl

Little signs of hope: family cycling in East London

"There's a baby in there, right? Stop cycling with your baby in that f**king chair!" he shouted out the window of his sports car as I cycled (actually without a baby on this occasion) down a quiet street on my way home from work a few weeks ago.  

 

I've been sworn at a few times over the years for cycling.  "F**king weirdo" was another nice one I had whilst on my way to work one morning in suburban Birmingham.  Just because cycling was a bit, err, unusual from what I can gather (either that or my fluorescent tabard!).  I didn't quite catch which expletive I inspired from another motorist who sped across my path at some traffic lights one day.  Apparently enraged at even the slighted suggestion that I might want exercise my right of way at the junction. I felt wronged for the rest of my journey - I almost wished I had jumped a red light to justify such as outburst!

 

My experience a few weeks back reminded me of two things.  Firstly that cycling with a family in tow is rare.  I cycle around in my East London bubble feeling like I'm quite normal (for my cycling behaviour at least!).  I frequently see other cyclists with rear mounted child bike seats like ours. I'd say there are usually 5 or 6 families at our childrens' nursery using them most days - more than 10%.  Increasingly I'm seeing a range of other set ups for more than one child. Pics of three of the bikes I've spotted recently are below - one day I'll get a picture of the semi-recumbant tandem with an extra rear-mounted seat (!) that I've seen on my way to work a few times.  It makes sense really.  Apparently I live in the place with the most people regularly cycling to work in the country…people who are also referred to as the 'three-wheeled buggy brigade'. Plenty of cyclists,  plenty of small children and hey presto a burgeoning family cycling scene.  

 

 

 

 

 

Secondly the outburst reminded me that, actually, cycling in London, particularly with a family is far from ideal.  However offensive the comment from the sports car driver, it was motivated by concern for my child's safety - arguably an understandable reaction.  Plenty of people, particularly those from outside London who haven't become accustomed to the hoards of commuting cyclists, look aghast at the idea of cycling in London without children in tow.  There are plenty of places I won't cycle with my children.  I didn't, for example, take our bike trailer on a theatre trip a few weeks back, despite an annoying part closure of our local train line, because I didn't know the route well enough to be comfortable that it was safe.

 

But I still have hope.  Cycling is becoming more normal, less weirdo-like behaviour.  Yes, we need more space for family cycling in cities and yes, some people are always going to think this is crazy idea.  But I take hope from seeing lots of families enjoying cycling around the streets of Hackney. I take hope from seeing lots of people experimenting with different family bikes, and I'm sure inspiring others to do the same.  I get quite a lot of interest in our bike trailer from other parents and saw someone with the same model taking what appeared to be an inaugural spin around or local park the other day. And I take hope from the local cycle routes that I love. There are some great routes from my home to parks, to fun activities for kids and to shopping destinations all through quiet streets and off-road cycle paths.  Without these family friendly cycle routes I would not have been lucky enough to spend most of last summer cycling around listening to my children singing songs in a trailer behind me.  

 

 

Family cycling in London, and other cities, can work if we get out of the mind set of thinking it's crazy.  We need to start helping people find routes that do work for families and create a lot more so we can safely explore a bit further afield!  I guess I should play my part in that by finding time to blog a bit more!

 

Recent Saharan dust (and…ahem…transport pollution) debacle reminds me of the hopeless lack of ambition our government seems to have when it comes to rethinking how we get about our cities and protecting the health of a generation of children.  I have to take hope that people can lead where the government is failing to and show that there is another way.

 

If you're unhappy that the government thinks 2025 is an appropriate date to meet EU air quality standards in London you can send a message to the government via 38 degrees campaigning website.

 

You could also add your voice to Healthy Air UK campaign and support the brilliant London Cycle Campaign as they keep the pressure on government to create more #spaceforcycling.

 

Little signs of hope: one billion rising

I love the 'it's the little things' posts that some blogging mums do - a brilliant reminder to treasure precious moments and find a little bit of enjoyment when you're having a tough day.  Big things are important too.  There are some pretty big bad things afoot in our society and happening to our planet.  I wouldn't have had children if I believed that 'we're all doomed' (a common refrain around the office where I work, said in jest to lighten the mood when things seem bleak!), but sometimes I need to look quite hard for signs of hope.  I'll write blog posts about things that give me hope for the future - perhaps not every week but I'm hoping the more I look the more I'll find! 

I think I might have to rename my little signs of hope posts - this little sign of hope is MASSIVE!  In a meme recently I posed some pretty big questions - what most excites you and what most scares you about the future world your children will grow up in?  I was thinking about how I'd answer those questions myself recently.  I realised that it's not the HUGE environmental challenges, like the potential for runaway climate change, that scare me most (although they certainly play on my mind a little!).  I'm more anxious, as a mother to two girls, about what it will be like to be a girl and a woman.  

I worry about the prevalance of sexual violence, the ingrained gender inequality, and sexualisation of young girls as they are bombarded with skewed signals shaping their self-image - scantily clad perfume models; 'grown-up' clothes to fit their tiny, barely co-ordinated bodies; ridiculously segregated toys; and out-dated fairy tales.  I'm more keenly aware than ever, walking around with a curious little M in tow, of the sexual imagery that surrounds us all the time.  "Why is that lady [in a poster] wearing her pants and looking like that mummy?!"   "Err..."

One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime! What!!

How many more will have their confidence undermined by far less horrific behaviour?  Or will be shepherded into making second-rate life choices by other people in their lives, by companies, by ill-thought government policies?

When I'm having a really pessimistic day I ponder whether, if important stuff like er...water...fuel...start to become scarce, gender equality will start to look like unnecessary icing on the cake.  Governments might be a teeny bit too preoccupied with making sure their citizens have food, clean water, and electricity to put their full weight behind further progressing womens' empowerment.  I'm optimistic that the ingenuity of the human race means we can tackle environmental problems that threaten us.  Less optimistic of that if women continue to be sidelined, stereo-typed, prevented from getting an education or expected to spend more time taming their cuticles than keeping up with current affairs.  We need all hands on deck!

Good job this is a MASSIVE sign of hope then, eh?

This Valentines day, in more than 200 countries, women walked-out, danced, rose up and demanded an end to violence against women.  One Billion Rising gives me huge hope for the future of women.  It makes me count mine, and my daughters' blessings and value our immense freedom to choose how we live.  Freedom that many, many women around the globe don't share.

I wish we didn't need One Billion Rising...but I'm so glad we have.  

I'm also excited that there are some other amazing campaigns and resources out there fighting for the type of future I really, really want my girls to grow up into.

A website including 80 books about independent princesses anyone?

How about a 'fluff free and Bieberless' online magazine for pre-teen girls?

Or a campaign to stop ridiculous and out-dated stereo-typing of girls and boys toys?  A doctors dressing up outfit categorised as a boys toy!!  This campaign helped change that!

Little signs of hope: the Octonauts save the Arctic

I love the 'it's the little things' posts that some blogging mums do - a brilliant reminder to treasure precious moments and find a little bit of enjoyment when you're having a tough day.  Big things are important too.  There are some pretty big bad things afoot in our society and happening to our planet.  I wouldn't have had children if I believed that 'we're all doomed' (a common refrain around the office where I work, said in jest to lighten the mood when things seem bleak!), but sometimes I need to look quite hard for signs of hope.  I'll write blog posts about things that give me hope for the future - perhaps not every week but I'm hoping the more I look the more I'll find! 

We're in the full grip of an Octonaut obsession right now.  Little M will watch virtually nothing else on TV.   On a week where she has mostly been curled up on the sofa feeling poorly, that's a lot of Octonauts!  

She also really, really wants a new magazine. And she know's she's not getting a new one until she finishes a few more of the activities in many, many  magazines that she already has.  So we've also busy with stickers, spelling, mazes and costume making from Octonauts magazines dredged from the back of the 'half-finished-magazine' box. The double page spread Arctic Zone sticker scene has been a favourite.

Who wouldn't love the Octonauts?  They spend their days swimming around exotic locations, looking after the oceans and each other, and having a lot of laughs along the way. Life as an Octonaut would be great!

Whilst little M was busy painting a toilet roll to make herself an Octonaut torch, Greenpeace came knocking on the door.  I'm not signing any new charity direct debits whilst I'm on maternity leave so, picturing the kitchen turning Octonaut-torch-grey whilst my back was turned, I quickly blurted out my standard response "I won't set up a direct debit but tell me what you want me to sign up to and I'll check out your website later". As little L started crying the well practiced fundraiser equally quickly blurted out "have you heard Shell want to drill for oil in the Arctic? Sign the petition to turn it into a global sanctury at www.savethearctic.org" And so, true to my word, I have.

Will the Octonauts save the Arctic?  Maybe not.  But Greenpeace just might! If you help them...and the Octonauts help create the next generation of passionate and plucky environmental campaigners.

Perhaps when faced with decisions we should ask ourselves "What would the Octonauts do?".  Would the Octonauts sign the petition to save the Arctic?  Hell yeah!  Would they buy their own magazine with plastic tat on the front?  Perhaps only occasionally.

Today I'm hopeful because kids love the Octonauts and because Greenpeace keep on being Greenpeace.

Little signs of hope: energy from the sun

I love the 'it's the little things' posts that some blogging mums do - a brilliant reminder to treasure precious moments and find a little bit of enjoyment when you're having a tough day.  Big things are important too.  There are some pretty big bad things afoot in our society and happening to our planet.  I wouldn't have had children if I believed that 'we're all doomed' (a common refrain around the office where I work, said in jest to lighten the mood when things seem bleak!), but sometimes I need to look quite hard for signs of hope.  I'll write blog posts about things that give me hope for the future - perhaps not every week but I'm hoping the more I look the more I'll find! 

This sign is not so little actually, but climate change isn't exactly a small issue as I'm sure all those being battered hurricane Sandy are aware!

I've taken some cheer from signs that solar power - for heating, hot water and electricity - is becoming more normal, easier to access and cheaper. 

The lovely people over at Do the Green Thing posted about ingenious plug and go solar panels for people who rent their home, or anyone else likely to move home before they would recoup the costs of installing solar panels.   How many times have I heard people moan that the payback you get from buying solar electric panels is small and it takes far too long for them to pay for themselves?  Lots.  This approach gets around that problem.  I like to imagine that by the time our little ones leave home they'll be rolling up their own personal solar panel to pop in their suit-case, ready to hang out the window of their first bedsit.  The price of solar panels are coming down and easier ways to finance them are starting to appear too.  

I also spotted solar panels making an appearance on Sarah Beeny's latest programme (love a bit of Beeny on TV when I'm too tired to actually do anything that's constructive myself).  OK, so the family in question were struggling with their budget and finding it difficult to keep to their eco-ambitions. What I liked was that they were a normal family - this was not some eco grand design.  I hope there were people watching and thinking, actually I could do that. And some shouting at the TV "if you didn't have such a fancy bathroom suite you could sooo afford those solar panels!" (I take great pleasure in shouting at the TV, particularly car and perfume adverts).  Solar power is contagious apparently so lets get more of it on TV please!

And finally, Ikea are starting to sell solar panels. They're starting small with a trial with Milton Keynes loyalty club members (before you rush down to your local Ikea).  Whatever you think about big business, the reality of our world is that they have immense power (OK, way too much power).  It's great to see them use that power as a force for good.  Ikea definitely aren't niche or alternative - could they spell the end of solar power being seen as niche and alternative? They've got a better chance than most!

I'm not going to claim that these stories show that we've cracked the energy fix we're in.  What I take hope from is the amount of human ingenuity being targetted at the problem, and the signs that the way we live and the technologies we use are changing.  I enjoy the simple things in life (just got my first copy of a lovely magazine of the same name this weekend - what a treat) but sustainable living isn't all about turning the clock back to a simpler age.  We need some techie fixes too.  And there are lots of clever geeks all over the world working on them.  Nice.

Please note: any comments relating to pissing, wind, drops and oceans will be removed.  I need hope.

Little signs of hope: Playing out

I really like where I live.  One reason, amongst many, is that kids do play out in the streets - as much as they can on roads in a major city!  There are usually kids skate boarding in quiet streets, playing cricket in the garage block at local estates, and plenty of little people scooting or pushing various wheeled items up and down the pavements.  Being Hackney, there are plenty of youths around too with varying demeanours from street-wise to menacing but it's not uncommon to walk past a group of them and get a comment like "Aaw! Cute baby!" or some other comment that reminds you not to judge on appearances alone.

If we're honest though playing out in the streets properly can be challenging and dangerous so it was great to see some local people take the initiative last weekend and organise a 'playing out event'.  I only saw the signs on on Tuesday so was a bit behind the curve!  Great idea though and looks like people had fun - there were chalk drawings all along the street.

I wonder if the event was inspired by Sustrans' latest Free Range Kids campaign.  I read about this here.  I've been aware of Sustrans' brilliant work for many years, and drawn on their work in various work projects when I was a sustainable school travel advisor and in my current job, but must admit this one slipped past me - have been a bit to pre-occupied by life at home to start looking for campaigns to get involved in.  Making cities walkable and cyclable for families is so important for so many reasons - good on yer Sustrans for playing your part!

 

Little signs of hope: embracing diversity

I love the 'it's the little things' posts that some blogging mums do - a brilliant reminder to treasure precious moments and find a little bit of enjoyment when you're having a tough day.  Big things are important too.  There are some pretty big bad things afoot in our society and happening to our planet.  I wouldn't have had children if I believed that 'we're all doomed' (a common refrain around the office where I work, said in jest to lighten the mood when things seem bleak!), but sometimes I need to look quite hard for signs of hope.  I'll write blog posts about things that give me hope for the future - perhaps not every week but I'm hoping the more I look the more I'll find! 

This little sign of hope has been prompted by a combination of little M's playground antics and her addiction to CBeebies.  She's astounded me by her capacity to play nicely with other children over the last week or so.  It shouldn't be note worthy but it is.  Little M is mostly so friendly and approachable that I really like hanging out with her.  Unfortunately she also has a bit of a temper on her and can reduce another child to tears in 2 seconds flat by suddenly shouting "NOOOO!". She was taught to say "no" at nursery as an alternative to biting.  We're glad she says "no".  We usually like her enthusiasm but this is one area she does overstep the mark a bit. 

Last week we resumed playground trips - a real treat after weeks of having to avoid most people due to a double dose of chicken pox. Within in 2 minutes little M had persuaded a small army of orthodox Jews to help her make sand castles and was sharing her toys nicely.  A triumph for non-verbal communication as they didn't show any signs of speaking English (although it's very possible they understood everything she said).  Many Jewish people that live near us are easy to spot. They have a particular style of dressing, wear skull caps and even very small boys have short hair across all of their head barring some long ringlets near their ears. But little M hadn't noticed at all.  "There's a special programme on the television, it's called the 'Rhyme Rocket'.  Do you know the Rhyme Rocket?" Was how she introduced herself - she sounded so grown up, like someone making small talk at a wedding! 

Little M has also been play acting a lot at home recently.  "Look mummy - I'm pretending to be Princess Caroline" she said to me last week.  Princess Caroline is a significantly disabled young girl she's seen dressing up as a princess on 'Mr Tumble' - a programme featuring children with physical and mental disabilities - at some point earlier in the week.

I know there could be a point when little M's 'they're a bit different' radar will kick in.  I know at some point she may ask awkward questions about Martin's slightly skewiff arm (the result of relatively mild cerebal palsy).  But I hope that growing up in London surrounded by all types of people; a helping hand from Kerry-off-the-telly (smiley female presenter on CBeebies who has only one arm); and liberal doses of Mr Tumble (a long standing obsession of little M's), and perhaps a bit of parenting too, she'll grow up to respect and embrace difference.

 

It gives me hope to be reminded me that our ability to embrace a diverse society has improved immensely in the last few decades.  Our childrens' experience of life and attitude towards others may have been very different had they been born at a different time in history. Things are heading in the right direction.