LONDON, England - Boris Johnson cycles frequently and when you’re in his city, he wants you to do the same.  As the Mayor of London he’s introduced a hopeful plan aimed at making the streets of London more bike-friendly: Expanding biking lanes, creating a cycle hire program and raising awareness of cycle safety.

We equipped Greg Hall's bicycle with a flip-cam.

But when I ventured out to get reaction from pedestrians, couriers, bus and taxi drivers I discovered one major problem – they all battle each other vigorously on the narrow London roads.

Cyclists share lanes with double-decker buses, but say they’re frequently side-swiped. Black Cab taxi drivers say pedestrians don’t look where they’re going when crossing streets. And when I interviewed courier Greg Hill he described one harrowing road accident in which he was sent to the hospital with a back injury.

To get an up close view of what really happens on the road we equipped Greg’s bicycle with a flip-cam. It took him only ten minutes to ride out and come back with first-person footage of this road madness. This did nothing to improve my confidence to shoot a piece to camera while riding a bike – my helmet strapped on tightly.

Safety concerns are paramount with Boris Johnson’s transportation advisor, who we interviewed. Especially after he and the Mayor witnessed a truck smash into a car next to them – while they were on a cycling tour of possible biking routes!

What does it say about a city when the Mayor and his officials cannot safely take a bike tour? And what does it say about a city when a courier believes he is safer without his helmet because drivers are less aggressive with him?

It says London cannot be a true "Cycle City" until the bikers, drivers, and pedestrians get along, move along and do so without knocking each other out.

Watch my report on cycling in London

Throughout one of Europe’s largest cities, the major topic gripping most is not Swine Flu or what will happen to Michael Jackson’s estate – it’s the event officially known simply as “the Championships.”

Errol Barnett soaks up the atmosphere - and drizzle at Wimbledon.

To be able to cover this quintessentially British event while on assignment for CNN in London is quite a treat –-considering I was born in the UK. After living in the U.S. for 16 years, though, I have been reminded of how captivated people in this country become - regularly hearing their romanticized descriptions of the pristine court, centuries old tradition and of course the players.

Also, millions of pounds are pumped into betting shops like William Hill where an analyst told me bets could total £10 million ($16.3 million) on the men’s final match alone. The games at the All England Club have been made increasingly fascinating this year, because of the possibility of Andy Murray making it to and winning the finals – something a Brit has not done in 73 years.

On the day my task was the Men’s Semifinals. I was warned that covering this high-profile event didn’t necessarily mean a glamorous setting. Because of broadcasting rights we cannot film inside the courts, so at 5 am I found our live location on a wet golf course across from a nice brown puddle after a good ol’ English drizzle.

Early morning rain aside - I still saw dozens of people patiently lined up to buy expensive tickets for a game that was still some 8 hours away. Even earlier in the week when I passed through a pub I was surprised to see it quite full and yet very quiet with Wimbledon the firm focus of everyone’s attention.

All of this reminds me of why people around Britain love Wimbledon – a mix of unique tradition, familiarity and polite sportsmanship that make for relaxing afternoon get-togethers with neighbors. It really is wonderful to be home.