Forum Rider Down and/or notification of minor incidents

TBH 2. was your fault also, if you're waiting behind the car at the light you shouldn't then start to under take it, you should have moved to the front when the traffic was stationary and come down the drivers side of the car

#Emyr
I even have mudguards and put high visibility jacket on all the time, so yes you're right I'm not a fashion victim. I think what I need is passion :-)

#lemonade
one of them Iwas overtaking (#2) that's right it's not the most clever thing to do, but anyway it shows that lots of drivers don't check the left mirror and don't bother about signal when turn left.
(#4) I was undertaking but I was in a different lane with the var. So I can't say it's my fault.
The others one when the van turned right and cut me wasn't at junction it was a bus stop. Anyway agree with you in this case

#Mule
Never again:-)

Please get some cycle training.

it shows that lots of drivers don't check the left mirror and don't bother about signal when turn left.

This is definitely true! Be careful, and I hope you have better luck in future.

Thanks for the advice. I do need to train my writing but with cycling I'm not as bat as it looks. It's not the first month I cycle in London. Last year I had just 1 incident, a car hit me from the back in roundabout at elephant&castle. This month bet all the records

Have to agree with DJ it wouldn't hurt to have a bit of training where as not doing and you may not keep being so lucky

you posted while I was typing... maybe you have just had a bad month but all four of your incidents sound a bit sketchy and are the result of you approaching vehicles from behind

Thanks. I will

Your account indicates you don't seem to appreciate where the dangers are and that you ride into risky positions rather than wait.

I think what you need is some cycle training. It sounds as though you were in the wrong with all but the last incident you cite.

What the hell are you doing going up the inside of vehicles in this way? Of course they may turn left without looking/signaling which is why most of us would rather have some patience and hang back.

Ok people, now you made me think that I really need some cycling training. So gonna get soon

I hope you don't think we're trying to be mean/ rude. It's your choice at the end of the day but wanting to better yourself/ keep yourself safe is nothing to be ashamed of

Yeah, don't wish to sound harsh - sorry if it comes across that way. Everyone benefits from training whether you've been cycling in London for years or only just beginning so that advice is not meant as a condemnation. Please though, in the meantime, stay well away from vehicles turning left, don't rely on the timing of traffic lights or other drivers' good sense/visibility, and be really clear about your intended manoeuvres.

No no, I don't think you are mean or rude, I clearly understand that all you say is for me not against and really appreciate it. I just fill a bit stupid because could avoid most of the incidents I had if I had more patience.
The only question I have now is where and how to get that CYCLING TRAINING

There is no need to be sorry and many thanks for useful advises.

Which London borough do you live in? Most offer free cycle training, at least one lesson...

It's Lewisham but more close to Bromley :-)

Get it from your local council: http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/transport/cycling/Pages/Free-cycle-lessons.aspx

You can also usually get training in the borough that you work in as well as the one where you live, which is nice.

Also you get to ride your bike hell-for-leather directly at a stationary cycle trainer in the emergency stop test which is both thrilling and slightly terrifying, especially if they look tougher than you do. Lots of real (forum) life experiences of it in this conversation here: http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/168837/

you get to ride your bike hell-for-leather directly at a stationary cycle trainer

zomg that sounds amazing. i didn't get to do that when i did cycle training. considering a top-up session now!

It might depend on the organisation, I guess - and possibly also on the bravery of the individual cycle trainer. Having people of unknown skill level barrelling towards you at speed is probably not the best part of anybody's day D:

Cheers, I'll have a look

I hope you have better luck in future.

It would be better to eliminate the risk instead of relying on pure luck to avoid a collision.

Minimise. The only way to eliminate the risk of a cycling accident is not to cycle. Oh, and don't go outside, in case somebody else's cycling accident happens to you.

Minimise.

Pedant.