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teaches you to be hyper aware of what's around so you rarely get passed by a driver that you hadn't noticed
Perhaps this is the problem. I notice them all, all the time, every time, and they make me really depressed and angry :(
bothwell-
Perhaps this is the problem. I notice them all, all the time, every time, and they make me really depressed and angry :(
This. I look around so much, I swear I look like I've got a nervous tick.
I'm astounded by how many cyclists I see who never look behind them, even when changing lanes, or filtering and often with earphones in so not even relying on sound. Assholes.
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This so much.
Does not help by the fact I can take public transport for free.
I only become aware of how much attention I was required in London after riding in Basque Country, where the government made a massive impact on driver's behaviour when it come to overtaking cyclist, they even have a tv advert demonstrating how to overtake cyclists.
As a result, for the first time (since ever I think), I start to relax and doesn't need to look back that regularly, no longer I have to squeeze the bar in case the person behind me decided to do a punish pass (which is daily).
Miss_Mouse
edscoble
So true.
It is a slow process. Believe it or not London drivers are so much more tolerant because of the proactive measures that TfL and some London Boroughs have been taking, and London drivers are so much more used to cyclists. I remember the days when every bus driver resented a rider in a bus lane, played the old leapfrog game with us. Today I rode to Thamesmead and back for work noting the many more positive interactions with drivers, especially professional drivers.
TS, @bothwell , persevere, focus on the positives not the occasional idiot. We're getting there, and while cycle skills training isn't a panacea, it definitely opens your eyes to, what may be counter intuitive ways of riding, and highlights small bad habits that may get you squeezed, teaches you to be hyper aware of what's around so you rarely get passed by a driver that you hadn't noticed. I know it's been a forum joke, something for nodders to 'consider'. But even if you don't learn anything new in the couple of hours spent with a cycle trainer, that's free, funded by your taxes, you're not going to be worse off.
And here is a view of cycling in London written by some residents of that chic hip cycle friendly town of Bristol:
http://www.lifecycleuk.org.uk/article/some-thoughts-cycling-london