I've just pasted below the first of 23 tips (the most relevant ones for you I think) that I researched for my iPad app Road Cycling - hopefully some of the content will help. I'll get in touch with you privately in a minute to offer a free code for the App in case you have access to a iPad.
Thank you ever so much Matt - that is really excellent information - I fear I am only a small cog as I read a report in the Guardian that British roads are the most dangerous for cyclists and a good percentage of people will not venture out on a cycle because of the attitude of drivers - Dangerous Roads - lack of cycle lanes and of course no deterrent apart from speed camera's and quite a few of these are no longer in service....I - unfortunately - am not alone!!!!!......Take care and Thank You....Suttzzs.
Matt
1. Observe, Anticipate and Negotiate
The starting point for safe cycling is Observe, Anticipate and Negotiate.
Observe: A good rider will know what’s going on around them.
Anticipate: Look at the road ahead and anticipate what other road users are going to do. For example cars slowing for turnings before they remember to indicate, people overtaking, traffic lights changing.
Negotiate: Just as good car driving involves being patient and occasionally letting other people go first so the same is true for good bike riding. It is a pain having to brake when you are happy cycling along but sometimes making the first move keeps you safe and the roads moving harmoniously.
2. Road Position
Our illustrations (sic) show left hand side of the road riding but the common sense suggestions are appropriate for all road systems.
Your road position is vital. First of all the area nearest the curb tends to be home to a vast collection of tyre shredding bits of debris and broken glass so often needs to be avoided for that reason alone. Then throw in drain covers and gutters and - well you get the picture.
The ideal road position is far enough from the curb to avoid these hazards and so that drivers will be able to see you clearly when they approach. There are two usual positions when cycling - the primary and secondary. The most visible position is the primary - just inside where the middle of a car would be - the idea being that you clearly occupy the moving traffic lane. This way drivers can see you as you are in a position closer to where they would be looking for other cars and would need to pull over significantly in order to overtake you. This is commonly called ‘taking the lane’. The most usual position on busy roads, however is the secondary position with a decent distance between the you and the curb.
Basically we are communicating our intention to other road users. In the secondary position, we are saying “I want to see and be seen and I don’t mind if you overtake me, but you need to do it safely”.
In the primary position, the cyclist is saying “I want to see and be seen and I don’t want to be overtaken right now” - (British Cycling Guidelines).
When passing a side road entrance it makes sense to move towards the primary position if possible. This might not be achievable on busy roads but a slight movement is still recommended. Glance behind as you approach the junction, making eye contact with any drivers and move slighty into the primary lane. This will protect you a little from any cars in the road junction and should make cars in your lane slow down and give you more space. When passing a parked car leave enough space to keep you safe if the drivers door
suddenly opens and start the passing manoeuvre early - don’t leave it late and swerve around the car.
Making this move should also deter any impatient drivers who may be following you and who want to turn into the side road from overtaking and then turning sharply into the corner in front of you causing you to brake suddenly.
3. Traffic
A cyclist needs to be especially careful in traffic but it is in urban situations that the bicycle has great
advantages as a form of transport. The bike is smaller and more manoeuvrable than other vehicles and the cyclist has the best overall visibility of anyone on the road. This all combines to allow us to negotiate our way quickly through slow or stationary traffic.
If the traffic is moving slowly then the first consideration would be to take the Primary Position thereby taking that lane. If the traffic speed allows you can ride along safely whilst holding your own space on the road. Experienced riders will be able to balance on their pedals at very low speeds but this takes some skill to do so remember to give yourself enough space to the car in front to allow you to brake and get your feet off the pedals.
If the traffic has stopped or is moving so slowly that you would have to stop then the safest thing is of course to stop as well but this defeats the advantages of manoeuvrability we’ve mentioned above. Anticipate and choose your filter point. Many cyclists will ride along the near-side of the traffic nearest the pavement. This is probably because this part of the road is the most familiar but the near side is where a cyclist is least visible. Many drivers don’t use their near side mirrors - especially so in countries where cars are not
permitted to overtake on the inside. This means that riders filtering along the inside of cars are less likely to be seen. The passenger’s side of cars is also the side where typically the door is flung open in traffic jams and people jump out. This is a frequent cause of injury to cyclists.
Riding along this filter should be done with great care and totally avoided when coming across high sided vehicles. You have to be certain that the vehicle is not going to move if you do decide to try this move. If you do get caught near side such a vehicle and it starts to move either stop and hop up onto the pavement and wait there or accelerate to get ahead and back into the driver’s line of sight.
If you wish to overtake cars then riding between lanes is one option. This methods gets you out of the gutter, away from blind spots and opening doors but does have its own hazards as drivers at low speed tend not to drive particularly straight and gaps between lanes can narrow suddenly. Remember - your brakes are not as effective as a car’s. Also beware that drivers regularly change lanes and direction without looking or indicating.
Filtering on the outside however is probably the most recommended option for overtaking. All the same hazards and precautions for between lanes still apply and the rider now has to be additionally aware of oncoming traffic but with constant reading of the road ahead and a high level of anticipation you can safely overtake in this way.
When overtaking always make sure that you follow the road rules for wherever you are riding.
If the traffic queue is only one or two cars long then it is probably best to wait behind the cars in a Primary Position. If another car pulls up behind you they will have to wait for you to move to the Secondary Position before overtaking. Be on the constant lookout for road junctions when riding through traffic. Cars may pull out suddenly. The best option is not to overtake in this situation.
When passing high sided vehicles take extra care and look for pedestrians who might be using the stopped traffic to cross the road. Wait behind large vehicles which are at the head of traffic queues.
4. Easing traffic
It can be quite scary when you’ve been riding in the scenarios above and the traffic starts to move again - and move again at a speed which is faster than you want to go. If you are in the near side lane it’s easy, simply move over into the secondary riding position and allow other traffic to overtake when it’s safe to do so. Be prepared to take the lane again if needed.
If you are between lanes or in the outside lane then you need to be constantly looking for gaps in the traffic. Ideally - as the traffic starts to spread out accelerate a bit and look ahead for a gap to slot into. Make your needs obvious with clear hand signals. Make good eye contact with the drivers to help reinforce your desire to move. The untrained rider in this situation often slows down in order to slot back into the traffic queue. It may sound counter-intuitive, but this is the opposite of what should ideally be done. Ride in the gap as the traffic starts moving again and make your way back to the Primary position when safe to do so.
5. Roundabouts (for those that have them - like me)
First of all always give way to traffic on the roundabout and only join when it is safe to do so. If you are taking the last exit - so for example in the UK you are turning right, you should signal right and, like you would if you were driving a car ideally be in the right hand lane.
Check your local road regulations for rules on staying in the near side lane. In the UK cyclists can stay in the left hand lane even if they want to turn right. If you do decide to do this make sure you signal right until just before the exit you wish to take at which point signal left.
Once again - make eye contact with drivers and make clear your intentions.
Fear of road riding
- Thread starter Suttzzs
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
The gags need work, Crankers, if you don't mind my saying so.
Cycling is fun, liberating, and mostly pretty safe. It's especially liberating and enjoyable when you have the full freedom of the roads. I'm sorry that you had some very bad experiences, and I acknowledge that bad things will sometimes happen even if we do everything right, but the fact is that the skills and techniques that enable us to enjoy the road in confidence and to anticipate and avoid dangers posed by others is within the grasp of most cyclists. We have the means, and we become stronger and safer by using them. No one should feel obliged to perform right-turns across three lanes of speeding traffic just to prove a point, but everyone can learn how to claim a bit of space, communicate, and anticipate, and this will allow them to use all but the most relentlessly intimidating roads whenever they want or need to.
calibanzwei
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Warrington
I've never driven (or taken any lessons for that matter), but at the age of 32 and being a front seat car passenger for most of that time I know that I have a good grasp on how roads 'work'. I only started cycling properly on roads 18-24months ago and this knowledge, with a scattering of common sense and assertive positioning means I've never had 'the fear'.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Road riding dangerous ?
Have you seen the ninja trees and rocks that jump out on you when MTB'ing ? Total nightmare they are. WTF did that tree come from. Bang, ouch !
Have you seen the ninja trees and rocks that jump out on you when MTB'ing ? Total nightmare they are. WTF did that tree come from. Bang, ouch !
- Location
- Glasgow
Evening all!
Just to say I rode all the way to work on the roads at rush hour today, that is I left the house just before 4 pm. I know the road well, because at night or at 6 am I have no fear whatsoever to ride on the roads
The highlight was: just after exiting my cul the sac, into a double carriage way, no other car on it, I take the primary in the right lane because I have to turn right after 200 mt. The left lane only allows one to turn left. Suddenly, I hear the most urgent car horn behind me, as in "get out of my way". Car driver was in a hurry to get to the red traffic lights ahead
He would not stop beeping!
Normally I would go through the back of the estate, cycle the 200 mt. on the pavement (I know, I know!), dismount and cross at the lights.
Never mind, it could have been a lorry, then I would really have had a panic attack!
Just to say I rode all the way to work on the roads at rush hour today, that is I left the house just before 4 pm. I know the road well, because at night or at 6 am I have no fear whatsoever to ride on the roads
The highlight was: just after exiting my cul the sac, into a double carriage way, no other car on it, I take the primary in the right lane because I have to turn right after 200 mt. The left lane only allows one to turn left. Suddenly, I hear the most urgent car horn behind me, as in "get out of my way". Car driver was in a hurry to get to the red traffic lights ahead
He would not stop beeping!Normally I would go through the back of the estate, cycle the 200 mt. on the pavement (I know, I know!), dismount and cross at the lights.
Never mind, it could have been a lorry, then I would really have had a panic attack!
Silver Fox
Guru
Road riding is great fun but after several very close shaves with idiots in cars and vans I decided to call it a day, I didn't fancy becoming another statistic. I know all there is to know about driving / riding on the roads but that knowledge won't save you from the fool who isn't paying attention even momentarily. If I'm going to get hit I'd rather be surrounded by a metal cage, lycra doesn't offer the same protection.
These days I throw myself around off road but at least I won't get taken out on the black stuff by some spotty teenage driver who's too busy texting.
These days I throw myself around off road but at least I won't get taken out on the black stuff by some spotty teenage driver who's too busy texting.
Silver Fox
Guru
And long may that continue.
Hmm, wonder if it's that sort of attitude that got you in trouble!
Silver Fox
Guru
No.
Silver Fox
Guru
You've got me on that one fella, care to explain.
- Location
- Glasgow
Afternoon!
Update on conquering my fear of road riding, here's the highlights of today's commute:
on my way in, city centre dual carriage way - here I could follow the cycle path, but it's usually full of broken glass.
Anyway, at red traffic lights, following all the good cchatter tips ( be aware of the traffic surrounding you, staying in primary indicates you do not want to be overtaken) I look around me: white van behind me, white van in the lane next to me. I do not want to be passed at that moment, he, he, because I know the most enormous " 4 drain covers inside a pothole" waits a few meters along. Have this feeling that the WV next lane will try to overtake when the lights change to green, so, as advised by post 107 (I think) I try to make eye contact with the driver: the van had tinted windows
When the lights went green, the van that was behind me must have turned, because a black taxi overtook me so close that I ended up right on top of the drain covers. Just as well my tires are bigger than my tights!
On my way back, traffic lights turning red, stopped behind the white line, allowing a car coming the opposite way to turn right. I could have squeezed through, and the driver turning would have let me, but I stopped because I would have ended on the bumper of the car in front that got through. Got a nice thank you, but guess who did not like it? Yeah, the driver behind!
Also, near home, on another dual carriage way, I got overtaken twice by cars that ended up in the double yellow lines in front of me, actually making me slow down, me?? ... even slower???
Road riding is like life: you can read about it, you can prepare for it, then reality hits you on the helmet. (I'm not giving up, btw)
Update on conquering my fear of road riding, here's the highlights of today's commute:
on my way in, city centre dual carriage way - here I could follow the cycle path, but it's usually full of broken glass.
Anyway, at red traffic lights, following all the good cchatter tips ( be aware of the traffic surrounding you, staying in primary indicates you do not want to be overtaken) I look around me: white van behind me, white van in the lane next to me. I do not want to be passed at that moment, he, he, because I know the most enormous " 4 drain covers inside a pothole" waits a few meters along. Have this feeling that the WV next lane will try to overtake when the lights change to green, so, as advised by post 107 (I think) I try to make eye contact with the driver: the van had tinted windows
When the lights went green, the van that was behind me must have turned, because a black taxi overtook me so close that I ended up right on top of the drain covers. Just as well my tires are bigger than my tights!
On my way back, traffic lights turning red, stopped behind the white line, allowing a car coming the opposite way to turn right. I could have squeezed through, and the driver turning would have let me, but I stopped because I would have ended on the bumper of the car in front that got through. Got a nice thank you, but guess who did not like it? Yeah, the driver behind!
Also, near home, on another dual carriage way, I got overtaken twice by cars that ended up in the double yellow lines in front of me, actually making me slow down, me?? ... even slower???
Road riding is like life: you can read about it, you can prepare for it, then reality hits you on the helmet.
(I'm not giving up, btw)
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
So your anecdotes carry more weight and importance than mine? My anecdotes come from actual experience. Stats are stats - you can cherry pick the ones that suit your view. Since Christmas I have seen 4 cyclists knocked down, 2 go over the bonnets of cars and 2 rear ended. All were down to inattentive drivers. You are 9 times more likely to be killed on the roads if you cycle as opposed to driving. As Silver Fox said he gave up road riding as he didn't want to become another statistic and this view I totally understand and appreciate. So your spouting bollocks is now different to any other Joe spouting bollocks. You like one of the other knobs on this thread started getting high and mighty giving the impression he was a road weary cyclist. Turns out he only cycled 2.5k a year on the roads. I used to cycle more than that on sunday morning club runs each year!!! I reckon you need to be riding at least 7.5k maybe 10k miles a year before you can comment to at least stand a chance of knowing what you are talking about and to have done it for at least 10 years no 20 years.
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
The road cycling i do is mainly on fairly wide fairly quiet country roads and outside of rush hours, which probably means i have a lot less cars overtaking me and less urgently but all is still well.. so far. 
One thing i still cant get my head around is being overtaken approaching blind corners, but i dont drive a car so im not entirely sure if its as dangerous as i think it is and if its just the quiet roads and luck that have avoided a head on collision. Today im cycling along a quiet national speed limit road thats incidentally a NCR at ~20mph, 300m until a junction where i join the shared use paths, 100m to a right hand bend with overgrown trees/hedges then a car which to its credit pulls out and does a nice wide overtake, but blind to oncoming traffic. I slow down when being overtaken an cant see its clear incase they sweve violently back in too. Its got me a little worried that sooner or later im going to see or be involved in a big crash, Ive already seen a couple of pretty close calls making oncoming traffic brake really hard.
One thing i still cant get my head around is being overtaken approaching blind corners, but i dont drive a car so im not entirely sure if its as dangerous as i think it is and if its just the quiet roads and luck that have avoided a head on collision. Today im cycling along a quiet national speed limit road thats incidentally a NCR at ~20mph, 300m until a junction where i join the shared use paths, 100m to a right hand bend with overgrown trees/hedges then a car which to its credit pulls out and does a nice wide overtake, but blind to oncoming traffic. I slow down when being overtaken an cant see its clear incase they sweve violently back in too. Its got me a little worried that sooner or later im going to see or be involved in a big crash, Ive already seen a couple of pretty close calls making oncoming traffic brake really hard.
