Defensive Riding

Talk of 'defensive riding' comes from Cyclists' Inferiority Syndrome [(c) London School of Cycling]. Act as if you're on the defensive all the time and you're much more likely to be victimised.

It's no different to defensive driving, as taught by any "learn to drive" book, or defensive motorcycle riding. I don't pick up a victim vibe. Defensive in this context is not the same as 'scared'. It's about anticipation and control.

Anyway it's semantics.

Why would anyone want to be offensive while riding?

You may well ask, but an awful lot of cyclists seem to, as evidenced by some of the hideous lycra creations they impose on our poor innocent eyes.