cycling in France

[roundisland]

I have just realised when cycling in France I will have to glance over the left shoulder to make sure its all clear tried it out today and it didn't come naturally

Anyone else experienced similar difficulties?

 

[willem]

I can assure you us continentals coming to the UK face the same problem. And solve it - easily. Crossing roads is the more dangerous moment because cars coming from the left are closer to you than you are used to.
Willem

 

[buggi]

it's not natural now because you're trying it in England. When you are actually cycling on the opposite side of the road, it will become more natural. i don't remember it feeling unnatural, or really thinking about it to be honest. As said, crossing the road is probably more dangerous.

 

[snorri]

Anyone else experienced similar difficulties?

It was more difficult to adapt to them having knives and forks reversed.

 

[tbtb]

I'm sure it varies by area but when I was pedalling in Brittany I was sure I could spot the UK drivers (before looking at number plates) by how close they passed me on the road - which is to say, you may find the shoulder thing tricky but the drivers are sooo much better, cycling in France is brilliant.

 

[asterix]

I have just realised when cycling in France I will have to glance over the left shoulder to make sure its all clear tried it out today and it didn't come naturally

Anyone else experienced similar difficulties?

Do you know I never thought of that!

So no, I can't have..

Willem is definitely correct about the real danger of learning to look the right way when crossing roads or at junctions.

What tbtb said is also true of this area - the Limousin - Brits are also far more likely to drive 4x4s even the farmers round here tend to have vans in preference athough Lada Nivas have a following.

 

[summerdays]

Do you not look over your left shoulder occasionally in this country when cycling? or do you mean just the habit of looking over the right shoulder?

You will probably find that you look when you hear noises ... so if you hear it over your left shoulder you will probably look that way naturally.

 

[roundisland]

Thanks for all the replies I am sure now it wont be a problem. The looking the right way at junctions is something I'd not given much thought.

Thanks

 

[andym]

You quickly get used to it although it's fairly intuitive really to look over the offside shoulder to look out for overtaking traffic - whichever side of the road you're riding. However, I have found that very occasionally when turning right I've switched back into UK-mode and headed off along the wrong lane - so I agree with the comments about junctions being the time to be particularly conscious.

You might find a mirror a useful investment - not to avoid the need to look over the shoulder before a maneouvre, but as a useful check for situations where you're riding at speed, have the wind in your ears and looking over your shoulder is a bit tricky.

 

[Bodhbh]

In countries with cycle path networks, when they dump you onto the road (on the lefthand side) I have found myself staying there a bit until the brain engages. It soon engages when head-on traffic comes into view...

I did turn left off a main road once, and didn't see oncoming traffic. I clocked on and sped out the way just in time. Remembered to look left behind, but the front-left - I did look but didn't see, or too busy processing the info from unfamilar directions I can't remember. Think just have to be careful to till it comes natural.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I find riding on the left's usually not a problem once you're there but have had the odd 'moment'.

Last year in France I rode out of a supermarket car park straight onto a roundabout and went around it in the wrong direction, there were a couple of cars that just stopped and waited for me to get out of the way, probably thinking 'look at this idiot English!'

 

[Hicky]

We go camping in france and are much more confident in the Frenchies driving ability/consideration(from what I've seen and experianced) that my son has done most of his road riding/learning road sense over there starting at age 6!!!!!

It is a much more pleasureable experiance although it takes a little time for your head to engage continental road rules.....ie they expect goood lane disapline so they WILL tailgate VERY close if you're in the wrong lane on the Autoroutes.

 

[raindog]

It was more difficult to adapt to them having knives and forks reversed.

What, holding the blade and the prongs and cutting and spearing with the handles?

 

[andym]

We go camping in france and are much more confident in the Frenchies driving ability

Hmm. If the statistics on fatal accidents on the roads are a measure of driving ability, then the best drivers in the world are the Icelanders with the British and Swedes not very far behind. (Source OECD Factbook 2010 - data for 2008).

 

[Hicky]

Hmm. If the statistics on fatal accidents on the roads are a measure of driving ability, then the best drivers in the world are the Icelanders with the British and Swedes not very far behind. (Source OECD Factbook 2010 - data for 2008).

Ok changed it to suit.