Lady with the Bike

Posted on 14/4/09 by Lindsey (No comments)

laurel-yll

Have you seen this lady? Chances are you have.

Thanks to her preferred mode of transportation (and the four cute boys she carts along inside), Laurel Dougall has become a local icon, often spotted cycling up and down the streets of St John’s Wood.

I interviewed Laurel to find out more about her Christiania trike, where, why and how she cycles four kids around London, the varying responses and close calls she encounters, and if there’s any place that’s just too far to bike...

Q: You're known as "the lady with the bike", how long have you had the bike and what were your reasons for buying it?

A: We bought the bike a little over two years ago. My husband and I have always loved cycling and preferred cycling as a method of transportation where possible. I had been to Copenhagen a number of times and envied the Christiania trikes I saw there. When I finally dragged my husband along with me to Copenhagen, he also admired the Christianias and when we both realised we were interested, we looked into getting one and found a company in London that imports them.

Q: Where are you biking (to and from) on a typical day?

A: It's hard to determine what a typical day is. At the minimum, I cycle my older kids to and from school, which is about four miles total. But I often cycle other places too. I probably average 6 or 7 miles a day. Twice a week I cycle to South Kensington, which is a significant distance (and uphill slightly the whole way). The most I've biked in a day is about 15 miles (i.e. to Chiswick, Battersea or The Tate Modern area).

Q: Do you prefer the bike to driving in your car? If so, why?

A I definitely prefer cycling. It's faster. It keeps me in shape. It's less stressful than having to navigate one way or otherwise on confusing roads (easy to stop and check a map on the bike, not in a car). I don't have to hunt for street parking or pay parking or congestion fees. I am often able to avoid bad traffic or get through it quicker, and my kids prefer being in the bike too. We love the fresh air and ability to take in the scenery too.

Q: You're often spotted with the four kids in tow...do they enjoy the bike?

A: Love it. Will take it over the car option any day, rain or shine.

Q: Does it get heavy with all your kids in the box part?

A: Need I say yes? My oldest is 8 and weighs about 70 pounds. The younger three total around 90 pounds. Then there's my weight, the weight of the bike, and any other stuff we fit in it (i.e. book bags, groceries, fold up stroller). I have legs of steel, but steep inclines are not only dangerous, but pretty impossible.

Q: How far is too far to bike? When do you just say, nope, I'll take the car?

A: Believe it or not that rarely happens! I’ve not had a problem getting around most of central London from Swiss Cottage down to below the Thames. It's going north that can be tricky because of the steep hills and big roads. So I drive to Hendon or Brent Cross.

Q: Any scary accidents or close calls?

A: I am a very defensive biker and very cautious. Occasionally I feel that cars are a bit too aggressive or come too close, but nothing I haven't been able to steer clear of except the time that I was on Finchley Road around Woolworths stopped for a light. I was sandwiched between a parked car and a bus, and when the bus took off (I didn't move) it clipped the fender of my wheel. That made me very upset and was very reckless of that bus driver. I once ran over a man's toe on the sidewalk (it doesn't hurt) and he actually pushed me so hard that my trike tipped a bit. Not only was that mean and uncalled for, but it could have resulted in harm to my kids who were in the trike!

Q: Do you find St John's Wood conducive to biking?

A: Yes

Q: Favourite reasons for living in St John's Wood?

A: All the parks and green spaces, and there are some lovely residential streets.

Q: You're an icon, a local celebrity, if you will! Any thoughts on this status and any funny encounters with other residents?

A: Hee hee. I can understand why we are a sight to behold--there aren't many Christiania trikes out there, and mine filled with four cute boys makes it even more of a sight. But seeing us elicits very strong responses from people. The majority of the time, I would say the responses are quite positive, with people calling out things like "You're amazing", "You're my idol", "That is amazing, I don't know how you do it". But then the other group is yelling out things like "You're an idiot", "How irresponsible", "Get off the road". When someone turns to me and I can tell they are going to make a comment, I brace myself for the worst, though often the compliments are over-the-top positive. Can you imagine being called a celebrity because of your mode of transport? Actually, we recently moved to a new neighbourhood and now have to park the trike on the street, rather than underground, as we had previously. Within two weeks of moving in, someone complained to the council that my trike was blocking the sidewalk, but it wasn't blocking the sidewalk any more than my neighbour's cars. I found that disappointing, but like I said, my Christiania elicits strong responses--people either love it or hate it!

Do you have any questions or comments for Laurel? Leave them in the discussion area and she'll get back to you!

Lady with the Bike

Member Comments (0)

Posted by Lindsey