Do You Get Scared At Times

[Pat "5mph"]

As a newbie of only a couple of weeks, I was wondering if its natural to get a bit scared on busy roads. I've tried to keep to country lanes but there's times it's impoissible to do and need to go on busy roads. Traffic thundering past making it difficult to hear anything other than traffic noise constantly and road rumble. Then there's buffeting from the wind as trucks and buses go past. There's times this last fortnight when I've wondered why I'm doing it, as it's obvious my vehicle is looked upon as boil on the landscape of motorised road users.

Not much fun turning left all the way home, as it would be suicide turning right

Sometimes get scared, still, after 2 years riding the roads.
I'm a master of detours, know the level of traffic on my local roads at any given time of day
As you cycle more you will get more confident. Turning right can be a challenge in fast traffic, try crossing on foot.
Also try riding the same streets very early in the morning or late at night. Gives you a feel for the road position you should be in.
I did my first right turn downhill on a double carriageway at 5am!
Search "fear" on the forum, you're not alone.

 

[Matthew_T]

It can get a bit hairy on the roads at times. One thing that calms me down is the knowledge that if something does happen, the law will often be on my side (not much help when you are lay there on the ground I admit).
You get used to maniacs on the roads and thus learn to ignore them.

 

[vickster]

Yes, hence I am giving up evening rush hour commuting in the dark after another roundabout run in last night with another **** who decided that turning left off from the right hand lane is perfectly acceptable behaviour when there is a cyclist between them and the exit

Riding through the park last night in the dark and mist was pretty spooky and scary too, but at least no cars! Avoiding traffic was the reason for the park!

 

[welsh dragon]

I didn't cycle for 45 years, so when I did start again I was scared spitless. Having a bit of fear is normal and in some ways is good as it makes you more aware of what is going on around you.

Take things very slowly. Gradually build up your confidence. There is nothing wrong with walking with your bike along a road if you feel scared of the road itself or the traffic. Try to find a cycle club that you could join, or maybe walk your bike to the local park and just cycle around until you become more confident. get a mirror fitted to your handlebars, so that you can see traffic coming up behind you. At least you will be aware that others are behind you and are about to overtake you. You can get mirrors for your bike from Amazon. Good luck and don't give up just yet.

 

[Globalti]

Only when motorcycling and overdoing it.....

 

[jhawk]

Scary isn't the word for me. I get timid. Especially now that I'm having to commute in the snow and slush on the road, and especially coming home at night - nerving stuff... But, I get home and that's fine. I won't lie - having cars sailing past you at a million mile an hour isn't fun, especially when you're having to keep a very straight line in order to avoid the snowbank to your right...

And, bridges and HGV's thundering past in the summer... That was scary stuff.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Only when MTB'ing out of my depth on a black run and looking at a rather long fall if I come off. Commuting in traffic is easy in comparison.

the scary bit is looking at the fall knowing you have come off and are waiting for the inevitable... gravity always wins
my bruised ribs are still hurting 10 days on from the last fall...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Make sure you are making yourself seen - don't do the 'no lights/no hi-viz routine' - save that for later, if ever. Don't cycle in the area where double yellow lines are - make vehicles go around you. Also know the law regarding cycling. It states you should cycle 1m out from the edge of the road. Not always practical, but it is certainly not the 10cm that some drivers think we should be doing.

It take practice and confidence and don't be afraid of asking yourself (or here) what could I have done better to deal with that situation.

But that said even experienced cyclists avoid some roads... One of my local A roads has a higher collision rate (+200 collisions in 3 years!) than a local dual carriageway (58 collisions in 3 years) and I would much rather cycle the dual carriageway (70mph) than that particular A road which ironically leads to the local A&E!

With time, local drivers will recognise you and respect you if you don't do stupid manoeuvres. Getting off or stopping on the left until the road is clear for you to turn right is one way of dealing with it and something I frequently use at certain junctions and around where I live after 6 months of being here, I noticed a considerable change in the local drivers who suddenly started being really helpful - ironically it was a local velocyclist who made me realise what it was - I stop for the red traffic lights at a certain railway bridge and then wave the other motorists passed me before I set off once they are green (its single track and too narrow for them to overtake and a double bridge as well). He actually came alongside me at the junction and commented that I had stopped for the lights when they changed. tbh it never even occurred to me that come cyclists wouldn't but apparently some 90% of cyclists he sees at that set of lights ignore them and go through on red.

 

[vickster]

I need to read Cyclecraft and how to handle big roundabouts other than via the pavement. Despite being visible, confuident, in primary in the correct lane, indicating...?!

 

[Frood42]

I need to read Cyclecraft and how to handle big roundabouts other than via the pavement. Despite being visible, confuident, in primary in the correct lane, indicating...?!

Not read CycleCraft, I really should

I just go round like a car/motorbike.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/co...ctive-Traffic-Riding---Part-3---Roundabouts-0

Page 10:
http://www.cycletrainingeast.org.uk/Downloads/Bikeability_Level_3_Course_Manual.pdf

Large, high speed roundabouts can be one of the
most threatening places for cyclists and as such are
often best avoided unless no other viable alternative
for a journey can be found.

Even then, negotiating them as a pedestrian may be the best option.
A cyclist should not unnecessarily expose themselves to a risk that they feel uncomfortable with.

Good route planning (see outcome below) can
enable cyclists to avoid situations such as large
roundabout that they feel unsafe using.

If they choose to negotiate the roundabout using
the lanes drivers would, the following are the key
points to observe to maximise the safety of the
manoeuvre.

Cyclists should:
• Position themselves where cars would be
positioned. Observing how cars use the
roundabout can help them understand this

• Know where the danger will come from at all
points during the manoeuvre

• Make eye contact with drivers who need to
be aware of them and/or signal clearly

.

 

[vickster]

What I was trying to do when the pillock hooted me and then shouted 'its not surprising you lot get knocked off'

 

[Frood42]

What I was trying to do when the pillock hooted me and then shouted 'its not surprising you lot get knocked off'

Ah, errrrmmmm, D-Lock his headlights..?

I just tend to ignore the pillocks and keep riding...
.

 

[snorri]

How do you get yourself over to the crown of the road when you want to turn right. Do you just stick out your arm, wait a bit and then edge over? Traffic can be non stop on A roads near to me and it goes at a fair lick but nose to tail, so trying to get into the middle is like playing Russian Roulette.

I believe it would be irresponsible to give you advice without first hand knowledge of the road in question. Many of us choose to avoid certain sections of road, not because we are scared of the road but because we have done our own risk assessment and on balance prefer to take an alternative route.
There is nothing wrong with responding to your gut instinct, if it feels unsafe for you, then it probably is unsafe for you!
As has already been said on here, it might help to meet other local cyclists and get their views.

 

[glenn forger]

I get apprehensive if I fishtail on a personhole cover in the wet, my heart skips a beat and I take corners very gingerly afterwards. It's worse if it's been dry for a while then rainy so the diesel on the roads makes them as slippy and greasy as a Gregg's door handle.

 

[annedonnelly]

Yep, there are some roads I'm too scared to ride. As there are a alternative cycle paths I've not bothered to try to overcome my fear

I've just started cycle commuting and most mornings something scares me before I set out - will it be icy? will I make it up in the hill in this wind?
But as Baz Luhrmann says "Do one thing everyday that scares you." When I'm a bit scared I try to remember that and congratulate myself on being brave