London Riders - Fumes
Discussion
So being a certified petrol head is one thing. Having your brain eroded from car fumes is quite another... I honestly felt sick today in certain parts of London on my ride in.
I am sure this is down to the Southern rail strike causing more road users to take to the roads in order to get to work.
Do any of you use a mask? Do they work or are they gimmicks?
I may have to seriously consider getting one. Not sure what kind of mask to get??
I am sure this is down to the Southern rail strike causing more road users to take to the roads in order to get to work.
Do any of you use a mask? Do they work or are they gimmicks?
I may have to seriously consider getting one. Not sure what kind of mask to get??
I see probably 1 in 40 or 50 fellow commuters wearing masks and have never been that bothered. Aside from the odd car with a knackered DPF or clapped out van or whatever I’ve not felt it to be too bad apart from the odd day when it seems to hang in the air more than usual. I’m usually early enough in the morning for lighter traffic and take a more free-flowing route home.
But on my first commute after a week in the States last year I really noticed the diesel fumes in the air.
Last week I coughed up some really nasty looking grey stuff when I got home that seemed to correlate with the roads being particularly congested that night.
Filtering past the rows of buses yesterday during the tube strike was also pretty nasty.
Sorry not much help but if there’s any recommendations or experience posted on here I’d also probably be interested in one.
But on my first commute after a week in the States last year I really noticed the diesel fumes in the air.
Last week I coughed up some really nasty looking grey stuff when I got home that seemed to correlate with the roads being particularly congested that night.
Filtering past the rows of buses yesterday during the tube strike was also pretty nasty.
Sorry not much help but if there’s any recommendations or experience posted on here I’d also probably be interested in one.
Some of the masks you can buy are beneficial, but in order to catch most of the nasty particles at the sort of breathing rate you'll require for even a moderately fast ride, you'll need a mask that's uncomfortably big and heavy (and they need to be worn pretty tight to get the full benefit). I seem to remember the Guardian did a review of various masks which was fairly instructive -not as instructive as the comments underneath it though. I really do sympathise with people who cycle in London - I typically go down there once a month and the pollution really is noticeable - the sooner there's some sort of crackdown on PLG diesel vehicles in cities the better IMO.
I do a lot of riding in London, and a lot in Kent/Surrey, to be honest, unless I'm filtering through a load of buses etc then I don't really notice much difference. Someone I know bought a measurement device and its not actually as bad in London as is made out, I think there are a few hot spots, Euston Road for example, but much of it seems alright to me.
I used to like the smell of a 2 stroke motorbike at shows and the like but recently I've realised why it's not so common.
There is one that rides the same route as I cycle each morning, if I leave a bit later than usual I tend to end up doing a stretch of road behind it in a cloud of fumes that lingers for a while.
Between the crisp cold air and the fumes I've found that it completely catches my breath so I have to ease off a bit. To do that it must be pretty bad!
There is one that rides the same route as I cycle each morning, if I leave a bit later than usual I tend to end up doing a stretch of road behind it in a cloud of fumes that lingers for a while.
Between the crisp cold air and the fumes I've found that it completely catches my breath so I have to ease off a bit. To do that it must be pretty bad!
okgo said:
I do a lot of riding in London, and a lot in Kent/Surrey, to be honest, unless I'm filtering through a load of buses etc then I don't really notice much difference. Someone I know bought a measurement device and its not actually as bad in London as is made out, I think there are a few hot spots, Euston Road for example, but much of it seems alright to me.
I'd agree with that. My route runs up CS7 into Waterloo, and with the occasional exception of finding myself in a black fog I can hardly see through when something big puts its foot down in front of me, I've not really had a problem.I was thinking about this the other day, and remembering how utterly filthy my skin would get on days into London as a teenager in the 80s. Air quality has improved massively since then, I think!
I'm sure I've seen studies which show that it's actually worse for motorists than for cyclists. With motorists, the fumes get in the car and don't get out so quick (imagine sitting behind a smoky old bus or London taxi) whereas the fumes disperse more quickly when on a bike or walking.
And the Tube is pretty bad as well. I don't use the Tube much these days but you get some dark crud come out of your nose after spending time underground.
And the Tube is pretty bad as well. I don't use the Tube much these days but you get some dark crud come out of your nose after spending time underground.
Roger Irrelevant said:
Some of the masks you can buy are beneficial, but in order to catch most of the nasty particles at the sort of breathing rate you'll require for even a moderately fast ride, you'll need a mask that's uncomfortably big and heavy (and they need to be worn pretty tight to get the full benefit). I seem to remember the Guardian did a review of various masks which was fairly instructive -not as instructive as the comments underneath it though. I really do sympathise with people who cycle in London - I typically go down there once a month and the pollution really is noticeable - the sooner there's some sort of crackdown on PLG diesel vehicles in cities the better IMO.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-Army-S10-Respira...
Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 10th January 18:13
I tried one a few years ago. A Respro something-or-other. Think it lasted two or three rides before I binned it.
Uncomfortable & sweaty, plus I found it hard to breathe, especially when riding hard.
I figure breathing in a bit of crap in London is offset by the other benefits of having cycled there in the first place.
Although the air in Brixton/Streatham can get a bit 'chewy' during evening rush hour
Uncomfortable & sweaty, plus I found it hard to breathe, especially when riding hard.
I figure breathing in a bit of crap in London is offset by the other benefits of having cycled there in the first place.
Although the air in Brixton/Streatham can get a bit 'chewy' during evening rush hour
Edited by option click on Wednesday 11th January 12:54
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