Safety Tips for Noobs

Before anyone suggests it, I've booked a free two hour session courtesy of Lewsiham Council - I think that will help tremendously.

Why don't you book a free two-hour session courtesy of Lewisham Council? Oh, so you have. Good move.

I personally think they should make it compulsory - just travelling on buses etc this week I cannot believe how many retards ride bike. Its a miracle not more are killed!
We'd love to have enough funding provided--by the Mayor of London, London's local authorities, London's Primary Care Trusts, employers, etc. to offer cycle training to everybody in London. There isn't anywhere near enough to go round.

Cycling is still considered an unskilled low-status activity by many and they neither take pride in using the best mode of urban transport nor try to turn their particular style of pursuing it into a cause of envy in others. Turning it into a skilled high-status activity is a gradual process at present that would undoubtedly be accelerated by making training mandatory.

FYI, training is not primarily about safety. It is also about developing more confidence and enjoyment of cycling. Both of course increase your safety, but primarily it is about you doing more justice to the potential inherent in using your bike.