Does cycling on the road make you a better car driver?

[Soup890]

Have you seen an improvement in your driving skill, are you more aware of other road users, are you more confident, do you give way more to others?

The reason why I ask is because I started driving again just for the odd journey. It's been 4 years since I last driven a car and I feel so unconfident and at times scared. I feel like to much is going on. But on a bike I feel so much more in control and safer which is strange.

 

[Cyclopathic]

I think riding my bike on the roads since about the age of 10 definitely set me up for driving on the roads. By the time I came to learn to drive I was already well aware of a lot of the rules of the road. I was also used to looking ahead and anticipating danger. It taught me how to be a defensive road user and to be on the look out for other, more vulnerable road users.

That said, learning to drive a car also gave me an insight into things like blind spots and general low visibility.

I think the driving test for a car should include a section where they also have to ride a bike unless unable to do for good reason.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

One benefit of being a regular cyclist and car driver is, that I am much more aware of cyclists and motorbike needs. True for me anyways.

 

[Hip Priest]

I find that I check my blind spot when turning or changing lanes, which was a habit I'd grown out of. I'm also much calmer and considerate. Not blowing my own trumpet, but I've always been considerate to cyclists, even before I became one myself.

 

[Angry Blonde]

Im a wagon driver.... Booo hisss.... And i am always the best lorry to have behind you as a cyclist, i dont mind at all hanging back at junctions etc to let them through, and ive got to be at a million places through the day, and the extra few seconds doesnt make my day any later at all, whereas most cars are in a huge hurry to get to where there going and dont care about the needs of cyclists.

 

[Profpointy]

no - 'cause if a cyclist drives they start jumping red lights, driving on the pavement, wobbling about all over the place and not paying your (effin) road tax

 

[cd365]

no - 'cause if a cyclist drives they start jumping red lights, driving on the pavement, wobbling about all over the place and not paying your (effin) road tax

You do know there is no such thing as road tax!

 

[numbnuts]

In general I think cyclist are more observant in their environment than only car drivers as we have to look out for all traffic and pedestrians as well as the road conditions such as pot holes ect.

 

[Profpointy]

no - 'cause if a cyclist drives they start jumping red lights, driving on the pavement, wobbling about all over the place and not paying your (effin) road tax

actually hilarity (loosely speaking) aside, my car driving improved a lot after doing motorcycle training (25 years ago now). Being systematic about observation: look, signal. "lifesaver" (a 2nd look over shoulder) manoeuvre, look again (nearside & offside). Having had that drummed into me did the same in the car, and the number of instances of near-misses, or where-did-he-come-from dropped to pretty much zero. Even if you make a mistake or are tired, the double double checking greatly reduces the chance of an incident.

To be honest, dunno about the bike riding - I've always had a bike, so can't really say. I guess I'm more bike-friendly in my driving than might otherwise have been the case - who knows?

 

[slowmotion]

I would like to think that I'm more aware of cyclists when driving, but overall, I think my driving has probably got worse since I've started cycling. I drive so little now that I'm getting a bit rusty.

 

[surfdude]

yes it does . doing both has made me aware of just how close i can get to other cyclist with out knocking them off there bikes at high speed . it also has made me aware of just how many car drivers ride bikes and do the same as me