Help keep my litttle brother alive

woodford2barbican

I am selling my little brother a bike (at a very good price obviously!) so he can start cycling around London and perhaps start commuting.

What advice would you give him as a newbie to the roads (he can't drive)?

All advice is welcome, from the obvious to the obscure - I don't want him disappearing under the wheels of a lorry, I am less concerned about him getting punctures and having no kit to repair it with, as a long walk never hurt anybody, but you can also advise him on that as well.

I am going to take him out for a couple of hours next weekend to give him some tips - but I am sure he could benefit from the cumaltive knowledge of the forum as well.

Perhaps if we get enough good advice on this thread we could sticky it to help other new commuters.....and avoid some of the repeat threads we get.

Most importantly - thank you for all and any advice!

linsen

If you think you're not safe, get off and push
don't go alongside lorries or buses
if you cycle like a road user (ie wait at lights, don't cycle in the gutter etc) then drivers are more likely to respect you
Wear an obnoxiously bright top
don't undertake cars
if you want to go along a queue of traffic, go along on the outside not the inside
.....and don't forget to feel smug - you are part of the solution, not the problem!

biondino

Don't look at pretty girls as you cycle (seriously, this is #1 likelihood of me having a crash)

woodford2barbican

biondino wrote:

Don't look at pretty girls as you cycle (seriously, this is #1 likelihood of me having a crash)

We can't take all the fun out of it - look but not for too long!

dondare

Know the law and obey it.
Expect the unexpected.
Read Cyclecraft.

ChrisLS

...act like traffic...don't ride in the gutter...keep checking behind all the time...check behind before any manourvre...

...never, never, never filter the inside of lorries, artics, and buses...

...most drivers are fine, treat all road users with respect and politeness, you may or may not get it back, but have your own high standards... a smile and a wave of thanks, a thumbs up goes along way...don't react to bad road users, shrug it off and ride on, there are more good ones than thoughtless ones and stupid ones, make sure you are not thoughtless or stupid...



...also, don't get involved in silly commuting racing...you will end up a hollow eyed shadow of your former self...like a hunting vampire who can never rest...you have been warned...

giltkid

If he's a Woodford boy tell him to watch it going round Charlie Brown's roundabout!

woodford2barbican

giltkid wrote:

If he's a Woodford boy tell him to watch it going round Charlie Brown's roundabout!

Deptford - he's going to come across E&C roundabout one day...

pst88

Check behind.. but not so much you run into the back of a van in front of you.

Just out of interest how old is your little brother? When I read the title I assumed he was about 4.

woodford2barbican

pst88 wrote:

Check behind.. but not so much you run into the back of a van in front of you.

Just out of interest how old is your little brother? When I read the title I assumed he was about 4.

He's 27 and taller than me.

But he is my little brother - although I don't call him Squirt too often these days.

Sewinman

biondino wrote:

Don't look at pretty girls as you cycle (seriously, this is #1 likelihood of me having a crash)

Six months ago whilst commuting in Brixton I slammed into a left turning car and went over the bonnet due to checking out a hottie! :oops: :roll: Not the coolest move...

Ex-Squirt

I'm the little brother in question.

I think my big bro is a little cagey after the little tumble I took when we went out for a ride a few months ago!

woodford2barbican

Ex-Squirt wrote:

I'm the little brother in question.

I think my big bro is a little cagey after the little tumble I took when we went out for a ride a few months ago!

I forgot about that - I am more worried now!

Ex-Squirt

I think my first experience of road rash taught me it is something to be avoided where possible! Surely a valuable lesson to a newbie?

dafruk

Ex-Squirt wrote:

I think my first experience of road rash taught me it is something to be avoided where possible! Surely a valuable lesson to a newbie?

Definitely, tarmac does not taste nice.

I'd say don't be afraid to upset drivers by riding in the primary position when it is the safest option. Clearly don't piss folk off by permenantly blocking them but there are times where it is safest.

Always remember you're as entitled to be on the road so don't be shy about making people aware of you. Sure if you slow them down for 20 seconds it pisses them off but it's always better than going under a lorry.

Eye contact is the best guarantee that a driver has seen you. don't just look at the vehicle, look at the driver.

Oh and remember being a pedestrian. Don't do all the daft things that annoyed you when you were on foot.

Littigator

It takes about 2 weeks I reckon to get your road sense adapted to cycling around London, take it really easy until you start to feel comfortable.

Any NEVER EVER RLJ!

secretsam

1. Expect...utter stupidity and irrationality from all other road users, on 2, 3, 4 wheels and more, plus insane peds

2. Ride like you mean it. Dawdle, daydream, cower in the gutter and you're toast. Be assertive but not a psycho.

3. Rules are there for a reason, obey reds, etc. Use lights.

4. If in doubt, bottle out.

5. Eyes and ears open at all times. Get eye contact. Be clear in your signals and your intentions.

6. Keep your bike on top form, tyres, tubes, brakes above all. Wear a lid if you feel safer.

Enjoy.

biondino

Keep your bike on top form, tyres, tubes, brakes above all.

When I was cleaning my bike yesterday I found three small shards of metal embedded in my front brake pad. Hope they hadn't been there for long!