Experiences of Cycle Training

After a couple experiences yesterday, I've been reflecting on something that perhaps could be added to the cycle training 'curriculum' - training to deal with other cyclists, not just cars.

I was very happy with the training I received (see post #210), and was not a novice but when a few people in LBSs including my local one responded that it was useful whatever your level and since Lambeth subsidised it I gave it a go and found it helpful.

What I think could be added though is treatment of other cyclists. Essentially the thing that gets my goat most, apart the occasinal murderous driver, is the recklessness and lack of consideration of otehr cyclists - who I'd ideally like to see as brethren at all times, even if fully fluored, nodding furiously etc. My view is we're all on 2 wheels or so, powering ourselves, and facing same risks/roads/weather

However, many cyclists are inconsdierate of ecah other - I suppose I don't need to list all the ways, as the 'calling out bad cyclists' thread does it for me. I'd just point out that given the increasing number of dedicated lanes, ASL box thingys and with more cyclists, it seems important to teach both how to treat other cyclists and how to anticipate other cyclists' often inconsiderate or even reckless behaviour, given the space we all have to share.

What do you think trainers?

When you are well versed in the National Standards it can become annoying to have a fresh look at the way most cyclists ride. IMO you have to turn off and be a member of the public, look out for yourself and enjoy yourself! Resist the temptation to save the whole world and accept that you are doing enough training one person at a time.

After a couple experiences yesterday, I've been reflecting on something that perhaps could be added to the cycle training 'curriculum' - training to deal with other cyclists, not just cars.

...

What do you think trainers?

The curriculum does cover this. The importance of checking left before moving left is specifically for undertaking riders. And yes some people pass close both near and off side. At least if you notice them,even if they still pass close its less of a surprise. Same for drivers.

Perhaps they'll learn one day. Perhaps by seeing more people like you greenape, moving efficiently and assertively through traffic

good point - though i'm not that fresh off the curriculum though have (so far) maintained good habits

After a couple experiences yesterday, I've been reflecting on something that perhaps could be added to the cycle training 'curriculum' - training to deal with other cyclists, not just cars.

I was very happy with the training I received (see post #210), and was not a novice but when a few people in LBSs including my local one responded that it was useful whatever your level and since Lambeth subsidised it I gave it a go and found it helpful.

What I think could be added though is treatment of other cyclists. Essentially the thing that gets my goat most, apart the occasinal murderous driver, is the recklessness and lack of consideration of otehr cyclists - who I'd ideally like to see as brethren at all times, even if fully fluored, nodding furiously etc. My view is we're all on 2 wheels or so, powering ourselves, and facing same risks/roads/weather

However, many cyclists are inconsdierate of ecah other - I suppose I don't need to list all the ways, as the 'calling out bad cyclists' thread does it for me. I'd just point out that given the increasing number of dedicated lanes, ASL box thingys and with more cyclists, it seems important to teach both how to treat other cyclists and how to anticipate other cyclists' often inconsiderate or even reckless behaviour, given the space we all have to share.

What do you think trainers?

Which proves shows how daft these kinds of statements are:
"all cyclists are..."
"All drivers fucking...."

There are bells everywhere.

But David is spot on; cycle training teaches you to work with road users- all road users, (if its done proper or the trainee maybe pays for extra, as funding often doesn't quite cover a comprehensive lesson for a trainee).

Pieces on British Cycling

Part 1 is today (Effective traffic riding)

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/travel/article/trav20111121-Effective-Traffic-Riding-pt-1-0?dm_i=BM6,R597,4UZS9E,26YRQ,1

Good this^
BC have come a long way;)

Yep. Wonder who wrote it?

I've been reflecting on something that perhaps could be added to the cycle training 'curriculum' - training to deal with other cyclists, not just cars.

I'm always careful to vary the terminology I use when delivering cycle training- and to use the appropriate term for the appropriate scenario (road users/ vehicles/ drivers/ bikes/ cyclists).
I try to emphasise that 'road users' means cars, buses, ambulances, cyclists, taxis, milk floats etc as for kids this reconfirms their role on the road as equal to everyone else's, and for adults it attempts to get away from the creation of too much of a 'them and us' atmosphere.
I like to think it works..

Agreed.
@GreenApe - I am curious to know why do you think there needs to be a component for how to "deal with other cyclists". IMO you deal with them like other road users.

So who was it who took a cycle training session on a fixed gear bike with no foot retention? Who booked the lesson just to get some free maintenance training and impressed the instructor by :

1. having no foot retention yet managed to do a proper emergency stop and
   
2. by beginnong the lesson riding in the gutter and ending as a confident assertive rider. Yet told the instructor that you don't need the training apart from to get the free maintenance course
   
   

So fess up and write up your experience here:
Thanks

That was tynan.

Edscoble

If you feel riders are too close or there is something you are feeling uncomfortable about the most simple thing is to politely ask for a rider to give you more space.

I had cycle training yesterday – I live in Southwark so got a free lesson through www.cycleinstructor.com

I explained that I cycled everyday to and from work, as well as at the weekends, so he arranged to meet me outside my work and follow me on my way home to see whether I do anything daft. After asking me some questions (eg “how close would you cycle to a parked car?”) we set off. It was pretty uneventful. He said my cycling was pretty much perfect, I’m in the right part of the road, take the right lines and look over my shoulder etc. Maybe I could look over my shoulder more, but that was it. It got to the point where I was pointing out things I’d done wrong, but he said that I’d done everything really safely. Hmm.

I’m not convinced that my cycling is in any way perfect but I was quite flattered anyway! I cycled pretty much like I normally do but without my ipod and didn’t swear at anyone or anything, other than the raised ironworks by Blackfriars. Also I wasn’t drunk, so that’s a bit of a win too.

I think I was expecting to learn a bit more, really. I’m a pretty confident cyclist and certainly have better road awareness than a lot of the people I see every day. But I can’t be perfect – unless cycling safely is the hidden talent I’ve been waiting all these years to discover...

hi hats, I am Paul Lowe, Director of Cyclinginstructor.com. I think you may have had your lesson from us. Your post has just been brought to my attention. Please pm me to discuss how we can address your issues

A woman booked a cycle training session because she kept getting hooted by drivers and wanted to know what she was doing wrong

The reasoning was that there seem to be some cyclist-specific issues that I am not entirely certain about and that perhaps have become more pertinent with increased signage and dedicated cycling spaces/lanes. e.g. people think they have to filter along the smurflane, or must get in to the cycle box, often flying in at speed to stationary traffic made up of various vehicles & cyclists.
In particular commuter pelotons, e.g. on Kennington Park Road heading into town in the morning, there's a couple spots where the road narrows and is interrupted by lights. So how best to handle heavy bicycle traffic made up of nodders, people on town bikes, carbon-toting racers etc. Accelerate/ Push to front? Hang back and overtake one-by-one? Slow down massively and just take it super-easy?

Ideally enough cyclists would be experienced & open-minded to have developed a spontaneous/cooperative self-organisation a la the Multitude, but failing that some guidance would be interesting and helpful.

Like I said, I was happy with the training, found it very useful, just trying to contribute given that in the week prior to posting fellow cyclists took unecessary risks with others' (read: mine) lives on a couple of occasions in a way that is different to drivers. happily not really happened again since

On reflection, I'm not sure that there is much to add to the responses I received from KatieCoo and Skydancer, or indeed as my trainer put it on the day 'look over your left shoulder more'. thanks for your interest though

.

Agreed.
@GreenApe - I am curious to know why do you think there needs to be a component for how to "deal with other cyclists". IMO you deal with them like other road users.

Was there cycle training round Regents Park this morning? I saw a large group that look like they were being led by a guy at the front and another brining up the rear

I saw a guy in a red bib (might have had lcc on it) 'training' a young lad along tooting high street on bank holiday Monday. Looked a bit like the instructor was out of his depth, not a great idea to hug the kerb down there.

Who watches the watchmen?

you are Rorshach and ICM £20

Who watches the watchmen?

No one... :(

So anyone can set themselves up as a "cycle trainer" and start "teaching" riders?

Who watches the watchmen?

Their scheme should have an internal quality assurance process and mentoring. Shortly the department for transport will be bringing in an external QA system.

People deliving National Standard and Bikeability training will have undergone a course and been assessed teaching by the training organisation. (See elswhere in the Cycle Training forum here http://www.lfgss.com/forum49.html)

So anyone can set themselves up as a "cycle trainer" and start "teaching" riders?

yes, theres lots of standing around outdoors, directing groups of kids, faffing about with bikes, that sort of thing, you might like it

Ha ha!

@david, thanks, makes sense.
@jason, no way matey, I'm a sports coach, would rather work in a different sport than work in a 'non-sport' area of cycling. Nothing wrong with it, just not my profession.