Road Safety

Hi all
Has anyone got any useful tips for cycling on the roads ? As a relative newbie I get a fair bit of advice from friends but was wondering if anyone on here had any more that would help make road cycling safer. Although not exhaustive here are a few that have already been suggested (please agree/disagree as you wish
).
Any more would be greatly appreciated.
Has anyone got any useful tips for cycling on the roads ? As a relative newbie I get a fair bit of advice from friends but was wondering if anyone on here had any more that would help make road cycling safer. Although not exhaustive here are a few that have already been suggested (please agree/disagree as you wish

-
On country/winding roads, cycle in the middle of the road to improve visibility for cars approaching from behind (move over upon hearing cars approaching).
Approach petrol station exits with caution (drivers are often not paying attention when leaving).
On an A road, cut across a slip entering the road to reduce the time spent 'over' a junction.
Keep a fair distance from the road side so that motorists have to make evasive manoevers (riding too close to the kerb makes drivers think they can squeeze through).
Any more would be greatly appreciated.
0
Posts
Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
I have only been riding a road bike for a couple of months (uasually ride MTB) but i have quickly learnt that on junctions and roundabouts to take my time and dont expect the cars to stop i think they expect you to be travelling a lot slower, Assume they havnt seen you.
Dave
I apply the same rule, people seem to play the game see how close i can get to the cyclist without actually hitting them. not much fun to play the part of the cyclist in that game :P
25 - 53:07 R25/7
Now using strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/155152
Yesterday I had some woman go in the wrong lane when it was marked as being for left turns only, and she carried on. I politely said "wrong lane" as she was coming into me and I had little room to manoveur so I thought I was going to get pushed out as she kept coming after I had mentioned the mistake of hers, her response was "censored off". I see this a lot, when people are wrong they don't keep quiet, they will give you some abuse like you have done something wrong. Something that seems common in all walks of life though. If I do something wrong on the bike, and we all know that at some point we will make a bad judgement, I just keep my head down and keep quiet if someone says something, or if it is safe to I will signal sorry to the driver.
Dave
Out for my usual Sunday afternoon bike ride today, had groups of riders travelling in the opposite direction to me, a pair of riders riding side by side with other cyclists behind them, a car comes down the road in the same direction as the cyclists and pulls out to overtake, it looks like it's going to be a bit tight so I slow down a little, at this time one of the following group decides to overtake the two cyclists riding side by side without checking behind first, forcing the car driver to swerve right over onto my side of the road, thankfully I had just seconds earlier decided it was going to be a little too close for comfort anyway and had stopped and pulled into the curb, if I hadn't I really don't think that I'd be here typing this.
To the cyclist that was taking part in the GNBR today, next time think before overtaking, it might not be just your life that you put in jeopardy.
Cars and lorries often spill fuel turning the orad into an ice rink.
Always expect the worst of drivers.
Think for everyone
Ride safely
The 'looking-over-the-shoulder-without-drifting' one is a tough one as it's something I'm not able to do every time (although in a car it's no probs). I guess this will come with practise/experience.
In general I find drivers to be ok but have noticed that a large proportion of them do not know how to judge speed at all :shock: I'm not sure if any of you have noticed this too but so many cars start to overtake just as their front wheels are almost in touching distance. A complete waste of time as they're well past by the time they've given you any kind of safe distance :roll:
Incidentally does anyone ever cross motorways on A roads ? I did something very stupid (retrospectively) at the weekend as I crossed over the M1 at junction 15 (Northampton). Never again as the traffic was a nightmare although the traffic lights were a Godsend. Think I'll be sticking to regular A roads next time.
I choose to wear brightly coloured cycle gear, although I draw the line at looking like a council worker. The brighter you are, the less chance you have of experiencing a SMIDSY moment.
At a junction going left, dont go up to the line, let the car go in frong so if he turns left but hasnt indicated, you wont be stuck inside of him.
Be Defensive and alert.
Try letting go the bar with the same hand whose shoulder you're looking over. For some reason that seems to stop the bike drifting.