Changes to your driving caused by cycling...

[fossyant]

Hate traffic when driving - never go to the main supermarket anymore as it's nose to tail in that area, so pop out to the small local one.

Generally drive slower, as you aren't going anywhere quick these days.

And, usually drive round pot holes....

 

[Origamist]

Cycling has freed me from driving.

 

[Twenty Inch]

I wear a helmet in the car, drive over the pavement and jump red lights on a regular basis.

But only cos it makes me safer!

Well done, beat me to it.

 

[Theseus]

Whenever I pass a cyclist in the car I open the window and yell out "On your Left". I am sure they all hear it correctly as they always raise a digit in acknowledgement.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I did have a lorry driver toot his horn (in a friendly "I'm behind you!" way, not to tell me to move over) the other day, and I gave him a wave in acknowledgement.

 

[User482]

On the basis that I reduce congestion all week (because I cycle commute), the least other drivers can do is stay off the road at weekends when I might need my car. Something I tend to start yelling when I'm stuck in traffic!

 

[jonredhornet]

I cycle, use a motorbike, use a car and sometimes run and I often find I get confused at who to say hello to when I see somebody running, cycling or riding a motorbike

Also, when I cycle a lot I find I drive a lot more slowly - not that I drive particularly quickly anyway mind. A guy at work who has been commuting by bike for 5 months now made the same point.

After switching from a motorbike to a push bike I sometimes find myself riding in the middle of the road even I should be in secondary. Not a huge deal I guess.

 

[Shrimp_Stu]

I too give more room to cyclists and look out for bikes at junctions, roundabouts, traffic, etc.
I also drive along thinking if I could cycle on this road and think of an alternative route to my destination by bike and how long it would take, no matter what distance.

 

[rh100]

I also drive along thinking if I could cycle on this road and think of an alternative route to my destination by bike and how long it would take, no matter what distance.

snap - I'm always looking at the hills involved - wondering if I could manage it yet

Keep saying to the Mrs, "didn't realise how steep this was"

 

[summerdays]

My main problem when we are out as a family in the car and I'm navigating ... is I keep instructing Mr Summerdays to go up cycle contraflows, and roads which are no through roads for cars but cyclists can. I find that very frustrating trying to work out the long way round.

 

[Evilcat]

I've been driving into the office this week (injured leg) rather than my usual 10 mile cycle commute.

The early morning journey has been much faster (20 mins vs. 45 mins), and it's nice to arrive rather fresher and not needing 20mins to cool down and shower. I think I'm a more considerate driver as a result of the last 6 months commuting, if only in terms of being more aware of undertaking/filtering cyclists.

The return journey take much longer by car, and there are fewer options due to the CCharge zone. I've found myself looking with envy at the cyclists filtering down the Euston Road, but I may have a different perspective when it starts raining...

Anyway, glad to be back on the bike for next week.

EC

 

[Davidc]

My main problem when we are out as a family in the car and I'm navigating ... is I keep instructing Mr Summerdays to go up cycle contraflows, and roads which are no through roads for cars but cyclists can. I find that very frustrating trying to work out the long way round.

Sounds a bit like my mother. She's never driven, never ridden a bike, just walked and used public transport.

If she's in the car you get told to go down bus lanes, and routes are always bus routes. She's always surprised when you arrive somewhere having not gone the way the bus goes, especially if it's obviously shorter!

 

[Typo]

I cycle, use a motorbike, use a car and sometimes run and I often find I get confused at who to say hello to when I see somebody running, cycling or riding a motorbike

I find that saying a cheery "Good morning!" to fellow cyclists is more often ignored when I'm on my CB1300, maybe because I've got my full-face lid on.

 

[janm399]

I like to think I've always been considerate driver. Cycling only reinforced my rules:
* absolutely no speeding (30 mph on a bike feels bloody fast),
* keeping good distance from the traffic ahead of me,
* careful driving around anyone not in a metal box.

I'd say I also developed an idiot-driver radar, it kicks in even when I'm driving. Finally, like so many people above, I really don't enjoy driving and try to avoid it as much as I can. The stats for this year speak for themselves: car 600 miles, bike 6800 miles.

 

[skudupnorth]

I drive a lot slower nowadays due to the cycling and the precious load in the back in the shape of my three young daughters.Speeding does not get you anywhere faster in todays congested roads.I also thinkahead more when driving through the countryside of "what if " as i enter a sharp blind bend,you never know if there is a walker,horse rider,cyclist just round the corner.