A close encounter with a Waymo car while cycling in London has not altered one writer’s positive view on autonomous vehicles, though constant vigilance remains essential. Waymo driverless cars have operated in London for months without carrying passengers, with a human ready to intervene. Encounters have generally appeared measured and consistent until a recent incident. While rounding a traffic circle on the way home from work, the writer had right of way as a Waymo began to enter ahead. The vehicle showed no sign of slowing and seemed on course for a collision before halting abruptly. The event was not the most alarming of the day and caused no real fear, as the cyclist had anticipated the move. Its noticeability stemmed mainly from the automated system involved rather than a human driver. Waymo confirmed the automated system detected the cyclist near the roundabout’s edge and that the safety driver took control to brake. The company declined to share data on how often humans intervene in London or details on the cause and any planned fixes. Other cyclists reported mostly careful behavior from the vehicles, though one noted an odd response to roadwork signs. An expert from the London Cycling Campaign observed that the cars have largely acted with restraint around cyclists but noted London’s greater complexity compared with San Francisco. The writer had previously argued that imperfect AI drivers might prove preferable to distracted humans and sees no reason to revise that stance despite the incident. Trust in neither AI nor people is complete, yet AI offers potential for rapid improvement through better sensors and learning. Experts highlight both opportunities for safer streets and risks of marginalizing cyclists if behavior changes via updates. Ongoing monitoring will be required as more companies introduce vehicles that may vary in assertiveness. Past adjustments to make cars less hesitant led to complaints in other cities.
