what did you want to know when you first started?

[Black Sheep]

Hi,
for my final project I'm looking at producing various media and a website relating to cycle safety (based around cyclecraft by J Franklin) aimed mainly at people who are new to cycling for commuting or leisure,

so, the main question is;

what did you want ask when you first started commuting or even cycling and had to search out the answers?

what do you know now that you didn't know then?

what would your main advice be to someone who asked you about commuting by bike?




thanks,
I'll be trying to keep threads to a minimum hehe

 

[Bollo]

No problem Push

what did you want ask when you first started commuting or even cycling and had to search out the answers?

It wasn't so much knowing what to ask as knowing that there was anything to ask in the first place. I've been commuting on and off for 20 years, and I can say that for the first 7-10 I was pretty ignorant of the skills.

what do you know now that you didn't know then?

I'd say I'm confident in what I know now, but that makes me realise how much else there is to learn.

what would your main advice be to someone who asked you about commuting by bike?

Would depend on the person. For someone who came across as either under-confident or over-confident, I'd say get some professional lessons if they're available. If not, try to arrange a few rides with a more proficient friend. Cyclecraft is a good read, but maybe too full-on for somebody just starting out. I'd also stress how safe cycling is, as this seems to be the biggest reservation that most people have.

Make sure your bike works and fits, but otherwise don't get hung up on equipment. Set realistic goals and reward yourself for sticking to them, even if its a bar of chocy when you get in. A good line I've used with some of my collegues when they decide to take the piss (jokingly - all of them are cool) is "how often do you enjoy your commute?"

Finally - and critically - take absolutely no notice of anyone on CC.

 

[D-Rider]

As someone who only returned to cycle commuting a few weeks ago I shouldn't really have to wrack my brains as much as I am to answer this!

Two things really.

Firstly I spent a lot of time trying to work out decent cycle routes. I knew the way by car very well but was sure a more direct route should have been possible. I was especially keen to find cycle paths / quiet roads etc.

The second was cycle road skills but I can't say I was explicitly looking for this. It might be a sad confession but I hadn't even heard of "Cyclecraft" until I found this forum. But I bought a copy, read it and learned loads.

Interestingly, a few weeks on and having discovered that 95% of my commute needed to be on public roads I learned that (a few bad drivers aside) there's not actually much to be afraid of. I've now changed my route to stay on the main road rather than the one short cycle path I used to choose, because it's quicker and, with increased experience and confidence, there's no real reason to use the cycle path.

 

[downfader]

The bikeability course covers some basic maintenance, road skills (signalling and road awareness, etc). The highway code covers visibility, signalling.

Other stuff to consider is planning routes, where to look online for planning those routes. All this has been said though.

Bike kit and gear.. stuff on different reflectives, jackets, lights. Video tests?

You could aim this at kids with some cartoon style animations of signalling etc. Teddy's Bear Facts on Cycling

 

[Black Sheep]

firstly, thanks to people who've replied, its all very useful

The bikeability course covers some basic maintenance, road skills (signalling and road awareness, etc). The highway code covers visibility, signalling.

some people, such as myself wouldn't realy think to do a bikeability course or read cyclecraft until having found a forum such as this one (was on the old C+ forum when i wanted to switch from mountain bike to a road bike so was used to riding in city centres) the idea of this resource is to be a first contact with information on how to use the roads, maintaince etc and then recomend bikability and reading cyclechat

Other stuff to consider is planning routes, where to look online for planning those routes. All this has been said though.

hadn't thought of that, adding it to my list of categories to cover - most likely be how to manipulate and use google maps to find the best route

Bike kit and gear.. stuff on different reflectives, jackets, lights. Video tests?

some of this is planned, currently convincing my fiancee that she wants to 'door me' as i ride past her car while someone films it

You could aim this at kids with some cartoon style animations of signalling etc. Teddy's Bear Facts on Cycling

i'll look at a childrens section, cheers.

the more sugestions the better,
ps, theres a thread in cafe about the sections http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28616 if you've got time i'd realy apreciate comments and sugestions

 

[hackbike 666]

I really don't know as it was such a long time ago and money was more limited than it is now.No internet then to look things up so I generally just managed by learning my own stuff although I did join a cycling club in the mid 70's so this probably helped a bit.

My parents were disappointing though as I didn't get into cycling till I was twelve,despite repeated attempt to swap my camera for a friends bike at an earlier age.

I didn't know about hi-viz then but at those young ages I was invincible anyway ,or at least I thought so.I would also class my dad as a very good motorist,not just because he was my dad (I didn't actually get on with him that well and now we don't see each other.) but because he actually checked his car over before long journeys.He also told me about using bright clothing when cycling of which I ignored for many years.

Motorist are probably worse now than what they were when I started commuting with the advent of mobile phones/sat navs etc and peoples general attitude and the total lack of ability to take responsibility.

Dont know if this is any use to you.

 

[johnr]

Don't wear cotton; Pump up your tyres; tips for getting up hills; getting the proper clothes from Aldi, Lidl or better; try clip on pedals; start saving for a decent bike as soon as you know you love it.

 

[purplepolly]

Hi,
what do you know now that you didn't know then?

what would your main advice be to someone who asked you about commuting by bike?

That one of the biggest dangers to a sensible rider of two wheels (bicycle or motorcycle) is a motorist waiting at a side road to the left.

edit

and beware the bl**dy pedestrians

 

[montage]

"Will cycling get me chicks?"

 

[montage]

The answer is not it does not btw....however, it makes escaping from ugly chicks easier!