What has cycling done to your driving skills?

[deptfordmarmoset]

I don't drive much but when I do I get very distracted by cyclists as they zoom off in front of me. I wish they'd go slower so I get a better chance to ogle their bikes for longer.

 

[Piemaster]

I've just realised an aspect of my cycling I use when driving - anticipation. Backing off or taking foot off accelerator well in advance of red lights/junctions. Saves fuel in the car and momentum on the bike, which is even better if I can get the timing right to avoid unclipping as I can't trackstand.

 

[Dan B]

Negative: I have a tendency to go into the bus lane on my commuting route before remembering 'Doh, I'm in the car'.

Haha, yes. I also sometimes forget whether my preferred route from A to B is actually legal in a car or requires a stretch of bike lane or a no-right-turn or something

But perhaps this the explanation for ASLs consistently being full of taxis and minicabs - the drivers are all keen cyclists who've forgotten they're in a car for a change

 

[Glow worm]

I'm a rubbish driver and officially THE only bloke in Britain who admits it. I absolutely loathe driving and the whole british car culture llobocks (pardon my Welsh). I can only think of one way my driving may have improved through cycling and that's patience. When you are used to pootling along at 8-12 mph on a bike, slow traffic on a motorway at say 40mph seems a breeze.

 

[doog]

Having cycled in France and seen the courtesy given to cyclists, I have taken to doing the French thing and this is indicating when approaching and overtaking cyclists (even when there is plenty of room and no obstruction). It passes a message of intent back down the line of traffic who cant see the cyclist. Very few people do this here in the UK.

 

[Matthew_T]

When I do eventually learn to drive (costs for car must go down first), I will probably be really good and pass first time. The reason being that as I have been cycling on roads wiith a lot of traffic and road obstacles, I have had to become very observant (if I get a head cam, you will get dizzy with the amount of times I shoulder check).
I have got used to picking up mistakes other road users have made and picked up on the local road layouts and traffic light sequences (useful for trackstanding). If I encounter a cyclist when out and about on my test, I will certainly give them the room and respect that I have wanted from all the drivers who have just blazed past me.

I recall a day in the middle of summer where I was riding home, past the local fire station. I had a car behind me who was about 3/4 car lengths behind for about 0.3 miles. There were a few gaps in opposing traffic where I waved them by but they didnt move. Eventually the road widened and the car overtook me on the whole other side of the road. I looked over and thanked the instructor for the very excellent overtake. Only then did I realise it was a learner.
I just wish every driver could overtake with that amount of courtesy.

 

[Matthew_T]

Having cycled in France and seen the courtesy given to cyclists, I have taken to doing the French thing and this is indicating when approaching and overtaking cyclists (even when there is plenty of room and no obstruction). It passes a message of intent back down the line of traffic who cant see the cyclist. Very few people do this here in the UK.

A few people do it when overtaking me. I always want to go and thank them for indicating and performing a good overtake but never get the chance.

 

[dalewheeler]

Frustrates me if i have to drive anywhere when I could have taken the bike. Typically going out with the other half (who doesn't cycle), or buying heavy things

 

[BalkanExpress]

BUT.... I now also shoulder check when walking....!! I must look pretty mental hehe

I do this too

I notice that I tend to hang back futher behind a cyclist on narrow streets where there is no space to go past.

The big negative is that in brussels cycles can contra-flow on most one way streets, I've come unstuck a couple of times in the car

 

[I like Skol]

BUT.... I now also shoulder check when walking....!! I must look pretty mental hehe

Ha ha, I found myself doing this while lane swimming at the local pool this morning. I didn't want to pull out for an overtake when someone was trying to pass me!

 

[BlackPanther]

When I first passed my test (1990) I though I was an awesome driver (I wasn't). I improved significantly after doing multi drop courier work for 10 years. Then I took my motorcycle test which improved my all round awareness by a country mile. A few years ago I did my LGV test, and that also improved my driving standard. I started cycling to work a little under 2 years ago and, again, I feel I've gained another perspective. There's no substitute for experience and driving/riding different vehicles.

It helps me now to imagine other drivers as though they were me, aged 18 when I first passed my test. Let's face it, we could all crash several times a year without it being 'our fault', but it's down to the experienced to make allowances for the newby numpties.

 

[ColinJ]

Cycling has helped keep my driving skill level at zero! I can see why drivers want to drive, but you don't really miss what you've never had!

I used to think that I'd learn to drive one day but eventually made the decision about 25 years ago not to bother. Traffic conditions are getting worse year by year so I can't see me changing my mind in the future. I'm happy to ride over 125 miles or walk up to 15 miles, and use taxis, buses, trains or planes to make longer journeys or when I need to carry a heavy load.

I do occasionally accept lifts from other CycleChatters; thanks tubbycyclist, Steve H and any others who have offered them to me over the years. Lifts allow me to start some Sunday forum rides from places other than Hebden Bridge. If I couldn't get the lifts, then I'd find an alternative, such as doing the rides on Saturdays when the local train service starts early enough to get me and my bike to those other places by a reasonable time. (Sundays are a dead loss!)

 

[John90]

Cycling has made me loath driving even more than I loath public transport.

 

[Smut Pedaller]

I don't drive very often at all, but I find when I do I tend to follow my typical cycle routes... that is until I get to a point which cars can't pass through! Whoops

 

[Fran143]

I find that I have to think about routes I drive as I am so used to cycling all the back roads to get to places I forget the main ones!