reducing fear when cycling?

@Clockwise Not my current bike (no photo) but my previous fixed wheel bicycle was running 47/17 on 23Cs. I could happily cruise at 21.6mph with a 100rpm cadence. With this bike I could adopt the primary position in most situations within London as I was as fast or faster than the traffic. 120rpm would have me moving at 25.9mph. Again, primary worked well as no other vehicles would need to attempt to overtake as I wasn't slowing proceedings.

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@Clockwise Please excuse this awful photo of my other bike - a single speed folder with a coaster brake.

Which position do you think I normally assume on this?

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I know what you're saying @>>>>>> , Sometimes it does feel like you just can't ever have a journey without feeling aggressed (hoping that is actually a word). But driving and pubic transport still remain a clusterfuck, to me, so to combat the frustration I've been trying to vary my routes to combat the stress.

@Clockwise I totally get this problem. Mrs Skully won't really ride much. There's nothing I can do about it. It's like an immovable perception - that it's 'too dangerous'.

So you get the basic idea of primary, which is all that Clockwise was talking about, and yet you feel the need for this extended rant as if somebody insulted your tiny manhood. I'd ask what the problem is but it's not going to contribute to this thread.

@slain are you seriously saying that you reckon London roads are worse now than ten years ago when you rode ?
genuinely interest.
@skydancer that blog you posted. I feel sorry for that writer. seriously clueless about how long term culture change from within L.A,S is part of making difference. Making out CTUK is a money making outfit seriously out of touch. Again, lots of names around talking about how bad the roads are now, it used to be harder, you wont rebuild U.K overnight so deal with it today as it is and stop whinging.

@Clockwise like Skully says start with enjoyable stuff. People only get more confident when they are able to dynamically handle the bike, make it fun and when the person is enjoying the ride- then start road craft

The Southwark Cyclist rides are not long, friendly people, might be more accessible for her than many forum rides.

play her this too
Im out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoHjQs6C4UY

There is no need to hit any potholes wherever in the road you cycle. If you're not able to see what's in front of you and react in time you should probably stick to walking.

If you cycled in the kerb then how could you react differently? Did you even read the post? I could change go left of the pothole into bunnyhop I guess but how will this help my gf?

Not my current bike (no photo) but my previous fixed wheel bicycle was running 47/17 on 23Cs. I could happily cruise at 21.6mph with a 100rpm cadence. With this bike I could adopt the primary position in most situations within London as I was as fast or faster than the traffic. 120rpm would have me moving at 25.9mph. Again, primary worked well as no other vehicles would need to attempt to overtake as I wasn't slowing proceedings.

Here is a raleigh burner like the one I had as a child, it was about my 5th bike but I had it when I was 11 and loved it. The blue tyres wore out and I had black ones which ruined the look for a while but then I got a midnight blue mongoose bmx and shoved pink tyres on it which was rad for being 13. 25mph was almost impossible as I would get speed wobble but one day we made a small ramp with traffic cones and wood and I jumped over a girl called jess as she lay by the ramp which has got to be like 2ft of air.

Sorry what was the question?

Dear @itsbruce

To teach anyone primary without considering the rider, what they are riding and the context of where they ride is short-sighted, over-generalized, lowest common denominator nonsense which is becoming far too habitual in this country.

My female partner, whom very recently partook in official cycle training, was told the story of how a female rider was physically bullied out of primary position from a very agitated driver whom tried to pass when it wasn't safe to do so. She, my partner, relayed this tale after I took her riding and suggested that she shoulder check more frequently to see if assuming primary is backing the traffic up and if the driver behind is getting silly close.

What do you think I advised under such circumstances? Just hold your line until you piss the driver off so much they pull a dick move?

Handle bar angle is all wrong.

.................> antiporn

The only time I've had a run in with a motorist was when I was filtering in the gutter with near stand still traffic, the position I put myself in was technically like undertaking I suppose? It's not natural for motorists to be passed on the left anyway.

Highway Code - 268

Nah, I'm just getting older, slower and grumpier...

What do you think I advised under such circumstances? Just hold your line until you piss the driver off so much they pull a dick move?

Neither Clockwise nor anybody else said such a thing. He just said he was having trouble getting her to ride anywhere other than the gutter, which not a good place to lurk by default. Then you went off on one.

Just behave like a motor vehicle, hold your line, all the usual stuff.

Quoted for @itsbruce whom seems to have an interest in my penis.

Considered going south to practice? Spend some short days going round biggin hill or the like, take the train back? Lovely roads, quiet, safe, easy to get to.

Ahem. Anyway, I would say that if she's on the OKR there are a number of LCN routes passing through the area. These are pretty quiet and usable by even timid cyclists.

I've started using 'quiet' routes more and more (mainly because I can't stand the noise and air pollution on main roads) though it's annoying how much some are used as a rat run for impatient drivers, even when there are speed humps. These routes are also usually lined with parked cars and have poorer road surfaces and lighting, so positioning and awareness are as important. I agree though, making use of these and prompting our local authorities to make them better for cyclists is the way to go (I think we can agree Cycle Superhighways are NOT for everyone).

Regrettably, a sure way to increase fear in the timid, is to witness or take part in 'die-ins' and other ridiculous protests, purporting to represent the cycling community, like this one coming up: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/horsedrawn-hearse-to-travel-through-central-london-in-protest-at-cyclist-and-pedestrian-deaths-9858832.html

How many people will see this on Saturday and decide never to cycle in London or let their children? And how many motorists will it piss off?

Been reading the comments on here lot of good points. For me personally i think solid bike control is a MUST! before you even put a wheel onto Londons roads you have to be confident controlling your bike. Also make sure she has a helmet on and is clearly visible to traffic day or night (i.e wear a high vis vest and or his vis bands for the body and legs) also lights at night again a must.

Another option is to plan a route that has dedicated cycle lanes as this can irradicate the cycling by the kerb and may give her a feeling of confidence knowing that she has her own lane. Its a difficult subject cycling in london. Im a bus driver and so i see it every day. If a cyclist stays near the kerb then cars and buses do go round. Cars not always safely and buses we are supposed to give 2 metres safe distance which i do. But if they stay more central in a lane then they do not have the speed to keep up with the flow of traffic and so motorist become irritated and can get very angry and try to go round but more dangerously as there isnt the room to overtake safely.

Im also a cyclist so i completely get both sides. cyclists need to be made to feel safe and traffic needs to be able to flow. More cycle lanes may be the answer but thats for the mayor to decide lol. Im glad cyclings on the up tho and i hope all works out with ur gf and she has an enjoyable cycling experience.

. For me personally i think solid bike control is a MUST! before you even put a wheel onto Londons roads you have to be confident controlling your bike.

This.

That's what I did with my girlfriend who hadn't touched a bike since she was eight! Absolute basics were needed: foot positioning on the pedals, pedal positioning at stand still, building the confidence to release an arm from the bars for hand signals etc.

That reminds me of the idiots I see on busy London roads who clearly need to learn how to use their clipless pedals properly before playing with the traffic.

Why must she wear a helmet?

Why must she wear a helmet?

Because she is a helmet?

I think it goes like this: if you're a bell-end, wear a helmet.

Or is it to make her invincible so she can contravene Highway Code rule 66?

Why must she wear a helmet?

Highway Code Rule 59.

Lemonpartyhelmetsqueezer the Highway Code distinguishes between must and should. Rule 59 is a should, not a must.

Did he say she must wear a helmet?