gd I agree a lot of it is done without thinking. I'm like you, been knocked off a few times and thought I could have reacted quicker and avoided it even though it was not my fault. Theres an article in the latest CTC magazine about DofT looking into way of makinf cycling safer i.e. traffic lights allowing cyclists to get moving first.
Bike Forum
How to ride on the road - an information thread.
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Posted 4 months ago #
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sturmey - Member
how does the top of the front wheel of a car move first? TJ. Id look where I was going rather than at a wheel.
if the car moves an inch forward the top of the front tyre moves 2 inches hence its easier to see
Posted 4 months ago # -
A tip from 12 years of motorcycling (and surviving):
When a car is waiting at a junction, LOOK AT THE WHEELS. Wheel movement is much easier to spot than movement of the vehicle against a background that will be changing as your perspective changes.
(Edit: I posted that then saw what was posted above. Same thing then!)
Posted 4 months ago # -
Don't look at the tyre TJ ^^ - look at the wheel.
I've lost count of the number of times pedestrians have noticed my chain is flat, so now I always carry a chain pump.
Posted 4 months ago # -
My best advice for road riding is to, on no account, live or work in an urban area.
Posted 4 months ago # -
urban roads are safer
Posted 4 months ago # -
urban roads are safer
I disagree.. Can honestly say I've never been knocked off my bike in the countryside (or come anywhere near to it), but commuting I have near misses almost daily. Sometimes multiple ones.
I subscribe to oldgits methods..
I won't follow any so called rules about where to ride in the road, as a rule! I'd say I'm less than a metre from the kerb.
I find righteous cyclist absolute shit and an embarrassment.
All that's required is common sense, finesse, manners and sadly a big dose of humble pie.Eaxctly, and if I'm obviously holding up traffic and there are no pedestrians about , I even hop onto the kerb for a while to let them pass.
All riding needs is common sense, quick reactions, being aware of traffic around you and a little consideration for other road users.
Posted 4 months ago # -
On busy roads wobble a bit (doesn't have to be much). I find I get a lot more room then.
Look at the drivers face/eyes at T junctions etc. If they know you have seen then see you they'll be much more likely to stay put.
Don't take chances that save a few seconds. Turning right at traffic lights between cars and having your chain derail is really inconvenient, as well as possibly painful as your knackers hit the stem.
Don't just have lights, wear suitable clothing. Hi Viz when it's early/late daylight, and reflectives when it's dark.
Posted 4 months ago # -
If I could just mount my high horse for a moment.
When in a Sportive, reliability trial or any other mass event on public highways, do your best to be ambassadors for your sport.
I rode the Harp Hilly last week, the event was full by 9am. When I left the event HQ a whole bunch of riders jumped the lights just 10 metres from the HQ bringing the traffic to a standstill.
Then at one mile in I was waiting at a T junction for a mate with a puncture. In the twelve minutes I was there I saw some shocking cycling, mainly down to riders not wanting to unclip. One guy in well known club colours was almost hit by cars coming from both directions as he tried to pull out whilst shouting 'quick quick' to his club mates.
You guys above are total crap, absolutely no need.Edit; I mention it was full because this used to be a class event, usually the preserve of clubmen and with great riding. Well that's gone.
Earn money. Learn everything on the net. Buy bike. Enter event
Posted 4 months ago # -
Don't hang your shopping from your bars.
Don't tie the top of your take away curry bag too tightly - leave a gap for steam to escape. It makes the naan soggy otherwise.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Ride according to the road width, road layout, traffic conditions, weather, your speed, etc.
THERE ARE NO HARD AND FAST RULES WHICH FIT EVERY CONDITION.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Fix spikes to your axles so you can take them out properly.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Don't be surprised when three motorists try to kill either you or themselves in the course of a one-hour ride.
Today I had...
1. Car overtaking me uphill on narrow road, causing oncoming vehicle to brake hard to avoid collision.
2. Another car overtaking around 10 metres before blind 90 degree bend, putting him in oncoming lane as he went round corner.
3. Driver so intent on turning right at lights before they went red that she almost wiped me out.
... just wanted to vent.
Posted 4 months ago # -
urban roads are safer
possibly true as in the lower speed of most traffic on the majority of urban roads means that accidents tend to be of the cuts, bruises and breaks that will heal type whilst collisions at high speed on rural country roads and main roads figure in the KSI (killed or seriously injured) data
what p155es me off about some urban cycle routes is that to avoid the type of urban road that is potentially life threatening to cyclists signed routes will skirt through industrial estates, roads packed with parked cars and building entrances, junctions with poor visibility etc etc - resulting in potential (or actually in ) more minor accidents - rather than try to improve the ability of those in metal boxes to share space on the straight line routes
Posted 4 months ago #
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