Are cyclists good drivers?

itboffin

Since becoming a cyclist i've noticed that my driving (car not golf) has considerably improved, I drive much slower now, am far more aware of other road users and road conditions, general much more relaxed.

Has cycling effected your behaviour on the road?

Greg T

WHAT!


I think when you stacked your Beemer you must have smacked your head around......

Do you not recall the alleged incident.......?

BoardinBob

I'd like to think so.

By good, I don't mean Schumacher-esque driving skills. I mean

Courteous
Constantly aware of other road users
Confident

Belv

Becoming a driver didn't make me a better cyclist (i've been doing the cycling thing a fair bit longer, so can't really answer your original question)

Clever Pun

I'm certainly more aware of potential cyclists/vulnerable road users coming from all angles (no Littigator not bukakke cycling)

so I'd say yes and I'm certainly aware when I'm about to turn left about taking someone out

itboffin

Greg T wrote:

WHAT!


I think when you stacked your Beemer you must have smacked your head around......

Do you not recall the alleged incident.......?

It seems the rumours of your demise were greatly exaggerated, welcome back.

If referring to this beauty then imagine what I used to drive like :shock:

El Gordo

Good cyclists probably make good drivers but the arrogant RLJ'ing, pavement hopping, no lights urban ninjas are probably also complete tools behind a steering wheel.

fonty1978

I have been driving a lot longer than i have cycling, as a cyclist you need to be very wary of other road users defensive riding comes into play here.

When i do drive i find i'm much more aware of hazards especially cyclists, i give them an extra wide berth [ usually to encourage other motorists to do the same]. I think being a user of both vehicles improves general driving skills.

biondino

I'm definitely slower and much more cycle aware, so I vote yes. Though I have a suspicion ITB rides his bike like a boyracer so I'm not sure it works both ways...

Jen J

I haven't driven since I passed my driving test 12 years ago :oops: , but I know I'm a better road user now, whether on wheels or feet.

I was always quite aware anyway, as I run through Wimbledon Town and Putney High Street at weekends, so am used to weaving through busy areas and trying to anticipate people's movements, but I've noticed this awareness has increased even more in the last couple of months.

When I first came onto this forum there was a thread about lorry drivers, and how one let a cyclist into his cab to see how much vision he had (not much).

I think until all road users have experienced the different methods of transport, there will never be that understanding that is necessary in the ideal world.

One thing I've noticed, that had never occured to me before, is that drivers in slow moving traffic frequently stop to let another driver out of a turning. This is all very well and nice, but as a driver, all you have to do is touch the brakes slightly. As a cyclist, who may be next to such a generous driver, if the turning car has started to pull out you then have to not only brake, but also unclip and put your foot to the ground, all without losing your balance.

I know it seems such a trivial thing, but I've nearly come a cropper a few times recently thanks to generous drivers.

Sory, didn't actually mean to rant on about that... :oops:

Surf-Matt

Did the IAM (advanced driving) test when I was 23 then a Police driver course when I was 25 and was recently invited to be an IAM trustee. So hope I drive okay!
More about realising when you make an error though - which I still do sometimes.

Any driver that thinks they are never wrong is a BAD driver.
And any driver that says they are good is BAD driver.

Reckon I give cyclists more room than most when driving.
Also use "defensive" IAM techniques when cycling.

Greg T

itboffin wrote:

It seems the rumours of your demise were greatly exaggerated,

My enemies are plotting against me, I've gone deep and am running silent......

Does anyone know the Thai for "imagine my surprise - a man!"

biondino

Greg T wrote:

Does anyone know the Thai for "imagine my surprise - a man!"

Why, is that what you think the ladyboy was saying?

Greg T

biondino wrote:

Why, is that what you think the ladyboy was saying?

If I were dressing like a Laydee (real lady not kweerroadie) at the time of the alledged incident that is a matter for myself and the good townspeople and their pitchforks and burning torches.

chuckcork

There is an option in the poll missing: do I think that my (previous) motorcycling has made me a better cyclist?

Answer is yes, certain techniques are directly applicable like road positioning, but generally I'm still quite aggressive on the bike.

Not at all that way in the car though, having progressed from car driver to motorcyclist, motorcycle + bicycle to bicycle, now bicycle and occasionally car (when I drive my missus's, I don't own one) I'm more likely to take it easy now as I know how fast I'm going relatively.

Bassjunkieuk

I stupidly clicked the second option as I thought you meant cyclist in general rather then ourselves, in which case I'd say yes it has helped my driving.

I'm a lot calmer when out now and I'm constantly checking my mirrors when moving along for other cars or cyclists etc.

lost_in_thought

Having also done the advanced driving and a police driving course (for reduced premiums and worried mothers) I would like to think I was a good driver anyway! Nobody's perfect though, and perhaps cycling has made me more sympathetic to cyclists. I'm not sure, hence option 2!

Surf-Matt

Lost in thought - you've done them too (IAM and Police courses)?!
And many yokel parallels too?
Are we in fact married without realising it?!

lost_in_thought

Surf-Matt wrote:

Lost in thought - you've done them too (IAM and Police courses)?!
And many yokel parallels too?
Are we in fact married without realising it?!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, remember?

But I'm so sorry, I've been cheating on you... with don_don, obviously. I couldn't resist the poetry.

Oh and some flowers wouldn't hurt once in a while, you inconsiderate pig.

nicklouse

all of the above.

except the van is Blue!

woodyonthebeach

Im an Aggressive cyclist and driver. Always give cyclist a wide birth as I know I dont like people up my arse and being dicks on the road when I ride.

Written off one car crashed 2 others. Im lucky to be alive as they belonged to my parents.

Whoops.

Surf-Matt

lost_in_thought wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

Lost in thought - you've done them too (IAM and Police courses)?!
And many yokel parallels too?
Are we in fact married without realising it?!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, remember?

But I'm so sorry, I've been cheating on you... with don_don, obviously. I couldn't resist the poetry.

Oh and some flowers wouldn't hurt once in a while, you inconsiderate pig.

Splendid reply!

biondino

Surf-Matt wrote:

Lost in thought - you've done them too (IAM and Police courses)?!
And many yokel parallels too?
Are we in fact married without realising it?!

Wow - you guys are related??

jedster

I definitely think I've become a BETTER driver since I started cycling a lot. I'm just much more alert to hazards than I used to be - constantly thinking "what could go wrong here" and adjusting my speed and road position accordingly.

Whether I am a "good" driver or not I don't know.

sbsmac

Let me turn the question around. I didn't learn to drive until past the age of 30 and can therefore remember (only just, mind) how shocking it was to discover that cyclists and pedestrians were virtually invisible, on dark and rainy nights, particularly with lots of other light-sources around. I'm therefore far more paranoid as a cyclist and like to wear my high-viz vest on the few occasions I'm on the road at night, much to the amusement of my riding buddy (we had a difference of opinion about the relative importance of visibility vs helmets but that's another thread...)

When driving though, I definitely do try to give cyclists an exceptional amount of room when overtaking and to hang well back if I can't overtake. I'm very conscious of how annoying it is, when on the bike, to be tail-gated by a car who is clearly waiting for the opportunity to jump past me.

unclemalc

Jen J wrote:

One thing I've noticed, that had never occured to me before, is that drivers in slow moving traffic frequently stop to let another driver out of a turning. This is all very well and nice, but as a driver, all you have to do is touch the brakes slightly. As a cyclist, who may be next to such a generous driver, if the turning car has started to pull out you then have to not only brake, but also unclip and put your foot to the ground, all without losing your balance.

I know it seems such a trivial thing, but I've nearly come a cropper a few times recently thanks to generous drivers.

Sory, didn't actually mean to rant on about that... :oops:

I hate that. Its one of the reasons I have given up commuting on the bike. It seemed that every day some well-meaning buffoon would do the "After you" thing at a junction just as I was about to go through and I lost count of the number of potential t-bonings (including 2 wheel screeching near misses) that I experienced. In most cases the driver had just passed me,even gone wide around me, so they should have taken me into account!
As a result, in the car, I rarely let others out or go across me, just in case I have missed a cyclist coming up.

I've been cycling for over 40 years and been a driver for 30. The two go together - do as you would be done by.

always_tyred

Motorists are better drivers around cyclists if they are cyclists, but that's about as far as it goes.

- Since I started cycling, me and everyone I drone on to is more considerate around cyclists.

- Since I got cats I'm more careful driving past houses (I don't give a sh!t about children though, little baarstards)

- As I got older, I drive more slowly - this is simply because I'm tight and I can FEEL the cost of pressing the money pedal.

snooks

I've become more aware of cyclists since I've started commuting by bike. I always used to give cyclist room, but now I give them more room and will quite happily "hold" up traffic to let a cyclist complete a manoeuvre.

I drive 20,000 miles a year and think that my driving makes me a better cyclist, mainly cos I have seen most of the things that stupid drivers will to to get 1 car length ahead.

But you can never predict the path of a fcukwit!

gtvlusso

Nah, I have always been a slow car driver - I just get angrier now when I am in traffic now! I am pretty good on a motorbike though....good, meaning; quick!

Cyclists as drivers are just more aware of cyclists as we now the stuff that annoys us, I guess I am also different around motorbikes too, being a motorcyclist.

cjw

Similar to Matt and LiT... also IAM and police driving courses, so already drive very aware of surroundings, ensuring enough escape routes etc etc... So wouldn't really say that cycling changed my approach.

@Matt Good going on invitation to be an IAM trustee... they're all MPs, JPs, OBEs etc...(Oh and of course Nigel Mansell )

Surf-Matt

cjw - I sent them a detailed email when they hiked up their prices and gave a load of suggestions (my wife and I run a PR company) on how to attract more members. The new MD seemed to like my ideas!