Safety Tips for Noobs

Can you lot share some wisdom from riding on the road please?

I am a pretty experienced MTB rider, but don't know much about the roads, especially in London.

All I know is not go to anywhere near a Lorry on its inside left. Does this also mean it is better to simply go in the middle of the road like motorbikes do and filter along the right hand side?

Anything else?

Try the TFL website and on the second page of general there is a thread
Cycle training for noodies there will be a few links on that page I think

Middle is a no go, unless you can keep up at least 28mph.

Don't go down the inside of a anything if it has it's left hand indicator going.

Keep your whits about you, lots. Look around and observe.

Think.

Would paste for you but gotta get too work hope it helps :)

There is some HGV blind spot training this Tue. all over london in various points - this would be my first spot.

I generally stay well clear of trucks (right or left) if there is any potential for them to turn either way - they have particularly bad blind spots due to their elevated position.

I prefer a more dominant riding position so as my confidence has grown I tend to cycle on the right (as you say) rather than skim the gutters.

Always check (i.e. like you would check you mirrors) before you perform any change of position in the road - this is particularly important to avoid hitting other cycles or motorbikes.

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

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!

There is some HGV blind spot training this Tue. all over london in various points - this would be my first spot.

I generally stay well clear of trucks (right or left) if there is any potential for them to turn either way - they have particularly bad blind spots due to their elevated position.

I prefer a more dominant riding position so as my confidence has grown I tend to cycle on the right (as you say) rather than skim the gutters.

Always check (i.e. like you would check you mirrors) before you perform any change of position in the road - this is particularly important to avoid hitting other cycles or motorbikes.

Do you know where these areas are?

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.

Good or you Paul-Michel for having the balls to say you want help on this! I salute you!

Good work Oliver :-)

Being a) skint and b) time-poor, how can one help in this noble quest?

So pleased you are getting training.

Here's my advice

don't ride right in the gutter, but not in the middle of the lane either - cars will give you as much space as you give yourself. by all means filter in the centre of the road occasionally, but remember motorbikes don't expect to see you there, and neither do pedestrians, so take extra care, and don't spend too long there.

Remember many bus lanes are open to motorcycles now, plus taxis and buses of course. They are not cycle lanes and you still need to keep your wits about you.

Always always always look behind you before you change direction - even if you're just swerving out to avoid some hazard in your path.

keep your tyres pumped up and your brakes in good condition.

Stop at red lights unless you are certain proceeding is completely safe. It's not a percentage game. If you are even 1% unsure, stop.

Stop at stop signs. give way at give way signs - read and know the highway code - it's just as important a read for cyclists as motorists. Learn, if you don't know already, how roundabouts work and who has priority where.

Always give pedestrians the right of way. Always stop at pedestrian crossings when people are using them.

Research shows that hi-viz and helmets make cars drive closer to you. don't look like a professional cyclist.

Do skid stylishly to a stop, don't leave your feet clipped in ;-)

Enjoy it.

Don't go down the inside of a anything if it has it's left hand **indicator **going.

joke, right?

^ I've seen lots of people do this.

The most recent (yesterday) was a courier (with a very badly buckled rear wheel) who did it to me in my Luton van, as I was changing lanes, in the Limehouse Link. Not only did he undertake me (I slowed down because he was too close for my conservative comfort and we were going downhill), but he was also moving into my lane! I easily could have killed him, as Lutons are very unforgiving when it comes to unprotected cyclists. I caught him at the lights and explained what he'd done, I dont think he took it in, tbh. I later saw him walking his bike along a sparse and lonely stretch of the Highway...

Don't go down the inside of a anything if it has it's left hand indicator going.

Don't go down the inside of anything if it can turn at all. Almost killed myself on Thursday because the guy didn't indicate until a second before turning.

^ good point.

On a motorbike I once overtook a left-hand indicating Mercedes, who was also starting to turn left. The car then violently swung to the right, to turn that way instead - and this just as I was passing. I managed to stay on the bike, but also scraped her offside carriage. She got out, livid because I'd damaged her car.

Oh yeah. I married her.

^

If I wasn't on my mountain bike beater, I wouldn't have been able to put the stoppers quick enough.

^ brakes are good for that shit.

Any time you see an HGV, summon up a picture in your mind of death on wheels, of rolling death - and act accordingly. It's not just the inside you avoid, it's the outside lane, it's the in front of. They cannot see you.

I was walking in Battersea the other day and an HGV turning out of a side road took out a huge wooden bollard with its rear wheel as I passed. Concrete and soil all over, the pavement a mess. The driver just about noticed, but his truck was untouched. It scared me to death.

Be scared of HGVs, my friend.

Is it ever a good idea to bother signalling when turning left off a road? I can't see it is - I mean who are you telling?

To me, its probably more dangerous to do so because youve got less control of the bike and may lose control and go under a car if you were to hit a pot hole or something.

Is it ever a good idea to bother signalling when turning left off a road?

Always at least try to do so. Remember, every motorist wants to kill you ... never miss a chance to improve your riding skills.

N00bz lol

Is it ever a good idea to bother signalling when turning left off a road? I can't see it is - I mean who are you telling?

• Other cyclists, who may be stupid enough to try to undertake you

• Cars who will see that you may need to slow down to turn; or move out slightly.

It doesn't have to be an arm straight out military style signal, and if you've had a good look behind you and no one's there, maybe then you can get away without it.

And other cyclists, of course ...

And other cyclists, of course ...

Whoops.I forgot about them.

Well at least I asked the question.