Lessons you've learnt on your commute

[Trickedem]

Every time I commute into work I like to think I learn a little bit more about how to stay safer.
Today, I filtered to the front of a traffic queue in a one way system. http://goo.gl/maps/QhKk0 Now I have been round this several times. I stay in the right hand land and then hold primary all the way round and I've never had a problem. But today, because I pushed my way to the front, I didn't quite take primary and also I think I annoyed two or three drivers because I had two close passes as I went round the one way system.
So what did I learn. Don't filter right to the front of the queue unless there is an Advanced Stop Lane. Stay back a bit and get in the traffic queue and adopt primary before the lights then hold it as you go round the one way system. The car behind can't and probably won't overtake you. Particularly, as about 300 metres around the system there is another set of lights and the chances are they will have to stop anyway, so will quickly realise you haven't inconvenienced them by not letting them overtake.

 

[Twilkes]

Be very careful around sliproads to the left (on-ramps) as it's very easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time - need to time a gap to get to the left hand side of the sliproad and then carry on as normal. Cars accelerating onto a 50mph+ road aren't going to be ready to negotiate a bike.

And Continental GP4seasons are impossible to get over the rim in the rain while also just sitting there flapping like bits of loose rubber.

 

[2Loose]

Attempting to take less space in the road to help increase traffic flow invariably ends up with heart in mouth.
Don't feel guilty about taking the lane and\or staying out of the door zone.

 

[helston90]

Expect the worst from drivers and when they don't deliver it's a pleasant surprise.
Getting to work is not worth dying for.

 

[Drago]

No matter how nice they seem, how much eye contact they make, how generously they gesture for you to go, how much space they give, how patiently they wait behind prior to overtaking, they will try to kill you.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

No matter how many or how bright or blinky the lights, no matter what you wear by way of reflectives and flouro, no matter what your road positioning, guttersniper or primary hogger, if they aren't looking they won't see you, and many of them just aren't looking.

And even when they are looking you're still in the wrong because... all together now...


"YOU DON'T PAY ROAD TAX!" (sic)

 

[markharry66]

the first thing I learned when commuting the most important part of road for a driver is that in front of you so be it at a traffic light or a round about its essential to get in front even at a red light as that extra two seconds could mean the difference between life or death. Which is fine as if its a red light I just pull up in front of them. Nothing like being pointless as far as I am concerned I might as well join in the fun and games.

 

[DanH]

As I pass several High Schools on my commute, I (now) always assume that schoolchildren will :-
a) Walk into the road without looking when they can't hear an engine noise.
b) Push each other into the gutter when there is a bunch of them.
c) Swing their rucksacks in the air like cowboys whilst standing on the edge of the pavement.
d) Start to cross the remaining part of the road from a central pedestrian island, expecting you to either stop for them or expecting your brakes to be as good as a automobiles.
Strange how it's always 13 to 16 year-olds that make the roads dangerous, whereas I completely trust 6 to 9 years-olds to 'stop, look and listen'.

 

[Moodyman]

Ride as if they the rest of road users are blind.

 

[bicyclos]

The lessons ive leant on my commute are, I have survived all my commutes without major incident and learnt how to read the road and traffic and adjust accordingly.

 

[fossyant]

Stay away from big vehicles.

Anything else is game on.

 

[DCLane]

Don't filter on the left past lorries and possibly buses or you'll be at some point

If overtaking on a dual-carriageway, make sure you can complete the move

 

[Pieface]

As I pass several High Schools on my commute, I (now) always assume that schoolchildren will :-
a) Walk into the road without looking when they can't hear an engine noise.
b) Push each other into the gutter when there is a bunch of them.
c) Swing their rucksacks in the air like cowboys whilst standing on the edge of the pavement.
d) Start to cross the remaining part of the road from a central pedestrian island, expecting you to either stop for them or expecting your brakes to be as good as a automobiles.
Strange how it's always 13 to 16 year-olds that make the roads dangerous, whereas I completely trust 6 to 9 years-olds to 'stop, look and listen'.

Over the summer I did youth work with 16 year olds, and how little common sense they have astounded me. One thing I noticed is that if you crossed the road ahead of them they will blindly follow you no matter how far back they are in a group as they think it's alright.

 

[slowmotion]

I try to keep this epitaph in mind on every commute..

This is the grave of Mike O'Day
Who died maintaining his right of way.
His right was clear, his will was strong.
But he's just as dead as if he'd been wrong.

Be good

 

[musa]

be affirmative with your riding if your in secondary, take strong position...AFAIK im not employed by the council to sweep the kerb and gutter

....if your put in danger dont keep quiet