Scared

heathrow86

I did my first commute to work the other day, however going in was no problem as it was 5am, but coming home was a different matter, I was in the midst of rush hour, although there are some cycle lanes on my route which I use, but I had to eventually turn right at a rather large junction, for this i actually got off and walked across the pedstrian crossings. This week I am on a later start and will use the same route to travel in on. Was right to use the crossing and should i ride on the path if it is safer? Any tips please.

william79

I use a combined pedestrian & cycle crossing if its really busy, but I don't ride on the pavements. In heavy traffic I just pick my way through. I got used to the traffic, but it can be a bit intimidating at first.

afctumike

There's no problem with walking across a pedestrian crossing while pushing a bike. It might make a few motorists a bit hot under the collar while they're sitting waiting for lights to change but, if the junction is really busy and/or a multi-lane complicated set up, I don't see a problem with doing it. However getting off and pushing every time you get to a red light would be a little unethical IMHO. As for riding on the pavements I would say that's a no go.

dondare

Cycling on the road is safer than cycling on the footpath. You wouldn't think so, but it is. The real road is also safer than cycle-paths.
By all means get off and walk (as a pedestrian wheeling a bike) at complex junctions. When you are more experienced you'll be able to ride across them, but in order to become more experienced you need to live long enough.

prj45

I'm an experienced cyclist but there is one junction I will ALWAYS get off and walk over.

Cars fly around it like rally cars, and you can't get into position without crossing three lanes of 40mph (i.e. 60mph :x ) road way, so its the one place where I use the cycle lane on the pavement, and cross on the lights.

Totalnewbie

Don't feel bad for walking over ped crossings at complex junctions, when I first started I did it about three times on each commute, every time I felt a bit scared. With experience you will be able to negotiate them.

mrchrispy

dead simple - just do what ever you feel is safest.

PrettyBoyTim

It may also be possible to find a route with a lower level of traffic that you can use until you're a bit more confident on the road. Have a look on bikely.com - a lot of people have posted their routes on there. Also, some folks here may be able to suggest some route improvements.

The quickest and shortest route for me to work is about 5.9 miles, but I almost always take a longer 6.7 mile route because it's much quieter and a much more pleasant ride. You may be able to find something similar for your situation too.

As for getting off to cross - do whatever you feel most comfortable with, but also don't be afraid to position yourself so that you block your lane as you wait to turn; it's better than being stuck between two streams of traffic travelling in opposite directions!

DavidTQ

heathrow86 wrote:

I did my first commute to work the other day, however going in was no problem as it was 5am, but coming home was a different matter, I was in the midst of rush hour, although there are some cycle lanes on my route which I use, but I had to eventually turn right at a rather large junction, for this i actually got off and walked across the pedstrian crossings. This week I am on a later start and will use the same route to travel in on. Was right to use the crossing and should i ride on the path if it is safer? Any tips please.

When I first started there was one major road that I had to go right across, and I used to get off the bike and cross as a pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing. These days Im likelly to be found overtaking the vehicles on their right hand side or taking primary position and crossing from there. Its a question of confidence, as you get more confidence you can learn to take your place on the road and claim your road space and learn how to shepherd the cars around, simple things can make a big difference Big firm arm signals with the palm facing backwards, making the statement "I AM TURNING RIGHT" rather than a more timid "please let me turn right"

Taking primary position well in advance of the turning to take advantage of a small gap in the traffic is perfectly legitimate, although you may temporarily slow down a car that same car will be in the same place at the next set of traffic lights regardless, the lights and junctions will be what actually hold them up, not the cyclist who just reduced their wait at the next set of lights Its rare indeed that a cyclist causes anything like the sort of delay on the roads caused by volume of cars and traffic control systems .

There are still however multilane sections where the "best" thing to do would be to take primary in the right most lane. Im a bit too chicken still with how busy this road is to muscle my way across the two lanes of traffic. Although it is becoming a more appealling option . At the moment I take primary in the left lane cross the roundabout then filter in the right hand lane of the traffic if I see a good gap then overtake both lanes of cars (the exit road drops from two lanes to one soon after the roundabout so both exit lanes are often near stationary).

The cyclecraft book is normally recommended, a good read of the highway code (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTr ... /index.htm) so you know your rights and the correct way to use the road is a great tool to build your confidence and assertiveness on the roads. Dont let motorists push you around, know that you ARE entitled to use the full road that you dont have to ride in the gutter.

Dont take to riding the pavements its not legal, its really not necesary its not safer and it makes things worse for all cyclists.

nickcuk

Be extra vigilent going alongside lorries, buses and anything with a trailer when the traffic is slow and there's any chance they'll do a left turn - it is statistically the most dangerous manoeuvre to injure or kill a cyclist

boncey

When I started commuting I had a few situations where I just got off and pushed the bike along the pavement as I didn't feel comfortable.

I've been reading Cyclecraft though, and that gave me advice on how to deal with different traffic situations.
Combine that with increasing confidence and it soon enabled me to get through those bits without needing to get off the bike and push anymore.

I do still get off and push if I don't feel comfortable with a particular situation though, but it happens less and less often.

Belv

Safety first!

I cycle on a few short sections of pavement during my commute. Be very respectful of peds (since you have no right to be there) and be prepared to get off. It saves me a one mile and a half mile on-road detour so even stopping now and again is quicker overall. I use the same route every day and have never received any complaints.

jedster

dead simple - just do what ever you feel is safest.

In general I agree with others - feel free to get off and push around complex/fast junctions.

Thought I would just respond to the piece of advice above though. Note my bold. Many inexperienced cyclists will do some things that they FEEL are safer but actually are more dangerous. A classic example is riding too close to the kerb. Alternatively, keeping to the left (outside) on a roundabout when going straight on or right. You need to be alert to these risks and as soeone else said "cyclecraft" the book is your friend.

dombo6

La Place de La Concorde in Paris takes some beating for a quick, bottom-clenching, adrenaline rush on a bike. Did it aged 14 and again at 42. Pick your line, stick to it and pedal like crazy. Remember, once you are in the traffic, you ARE the traffic. Enjoy!

Cunobelin

If you find you are more comfortable doing this - then fine, do it.

Commuting is an evolutionary exercise. My route is vastly different from the one I started using some ten years ago. A roundabout is now lights and I use this junction whereas 5 years ago I did a 1/2 mile detour to avoid it. Another section I used to us is now a derelict site with "Yoof" problems, so I now avoid that.

As your skills and confidence develop you will feel more comfortable, but always, always do what you feel comfortable with. The whole point is to enjoy the ride.