Busy Roads... Avoid or go for it?

[Moe]

Yesterday I set out on a route I had planned, when I got to the top of a hill (a big one I have to say!) to catch my breath, I saw that the road was extremely busy... I really worried about continuing along this road so turned left onto a quieter but longer route. When I came back out onto the original road it seemed quieter so continued along my planned route.... I have other routes planned on which are at some points fairly busy roads as they cannot be avoided. Now, my question is: Do you just bite the bullet and say sod it and use these busy roads or do you avoid them? (Because as we all know, some car drivers just have to get to where they are going as quickly as possible and cannot wait to pass a cyclist safely!!)

 

[TissoT]

It all depends on how safe you feel when riding on busy roads ... If you feel confident go for it !
Myself it does nt bother me riding on a busy road .. But prefer a quite lane.
So I ride on the A roads to get to a B roads when on a long day out .

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Road by road basis for me. I do tend to just go for it when I ought to choose avoid though. Hence riding the dual carriageways around Thamesmead heading for Dartford and almost getting 'Asda' stencilled across my shoulder from the close artic overtake. I'll avoid that one next time.

Generally, if it's single carriageway and not overly narrow I'll go for it, if it's dual carriageway and 70mph limit I won't.

Also, depends what you mean by busy. Lots of slow moving traffic I'm fine with hence A20 for some of my home bound commute despite it being dual carriageway. Lots of fast moving traffic, I try and pick somewhere else, so I leave the A20 before Sidcup.

 

[Apollonius]

Now I am happier on dual carriageways as there is a whole clear lane in which to pass me and drivers nearly always use it. Not that I seek them out, as has been said, sometimes a short stretch is necessary to get to a more pleasant road for cycling.

I find the worst roads to ride are the single carriageway "60 limit" (ha ha) roads where steering wheels seem to have no more than a 5 degree deflection availabe.

I do find I am going just about as fast as I can on busy roads and look for big gaps before a right turn.

 

[up hill struggle]

as said above it would depend on the riders confidence how heavy & how fast the traffic is moving, if you feel that you can safely negotiate the road & still be in one piece at the other side then go for if not I wouldn't bother, plenty of roads near me that I wouldn't ride on at certain times but wouldn't bother me at other times.

 

[Moe]

Road by road basis for me. I do tend to just go for it when I ought to choose avoid though. Hence riding the dual carriageways around Thamesmead heading for Dartford and almost getting 'Asda' stencilled across my shoulder from the close artic overtake. I'll avoid that one next time.

Generally, if it's single carriageway and not overly narrow I'll go for it, if it's dual carriageway and 70mph limit I won't.

Also, depends what you mean by busy. Lots of slow moving traffic I'm fine with hence A20 for some of my home bound commute despite it being dual carriageway. Lots of fast moving traffic, I try and pick somewhere else, so I leave the A20 before Sidcup.

I didn't think cyclists were allowed on duel carriage ways because they're too slow? I really need to find out where I am allowed to go! :/

Thank you for all your replies!!

 

[Apollonius]

The only roads you cannot use are motorways (unless you are Sri Lankan, of course).

I find lorries give me loads of room on dual carriageways, and consideration too.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

The only roads you cannot use are motorways (unless you are Sri Lankan, of course).

I find lorries give me loads of room on dual carriageways, and consideration too.

90% of the ones that passed me did too, it was just the one that tried to suck me under its trailer wheels that bothered me. Still, you know the old saying, 'if you live, you learn'. I'll change my route for next time.

 

[Garry A]

If I'm using roads it tends to be the quieter ones. Busy with artics etc are a no no for me and I avoid.

 

[Globalti]

There's no pleasure at all in using busy roads but sometimes they offer the most direct route. On ColinJ's comeback ride earlier this year we set off to ride home from Glasson Dock but Gti Junior was tired so he and Kiwi Sal and I took the old A6, which heads in a straight line back to Preston with very few hills. It actually wasn't too bad as there were no trucks, it being a weekend.

 

[NorvernRob]

I didn't think cyclists were allowed on duel carriage ways because they're too slow? I really need to find out where I am allowed to go! :/

Thank you for all your replies!!

Sheffield Parkway going out of the town centre has a 'cycling prohibited' sign, though I think it's just for that section. There are 4 lanes that split into 5/6, and I really wouldn't fancy negotiating it on a bike even though I do it every day in the car.

Generally dual carriageways and busy roads don't bother me, though the van that brushed my elbow at 50/60mph the other week nearly made me leave a log in my shorts...

 

[Rustybucket]

Just do it!

I travel on the A30 & A4 regulary to work - I get loads of people who like to sound their horn at me. Im assuming they are telling me well done & good effort....

http://www.strava.com/activities/179943943

 

[CopperCyclist]

If I'm planning a leisure route I pick the smaller quieter lanes (preferably the hillier ones too). If I'm using the bike as a method of travel though (I. E. Going to a friend's, or parents) then I'd take the most direct route. I do avoid dual and multi-lane A-Roads though.

 

[snorri]

70% of accident fatalities occur on rural roads.
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/policy/statements/rural-roads.aspx

 

[Ian193]

We cycled from The Mall to Fenchurch St Station via the embankment last Saturday after the freecycle and the traffic was ok no one caused any hassle good end to a great day