General questions/observations/discussion

Or just join them in jumping the red light

Just remembered my cycle training

You didn't mention which side of the car that you pull out with. I would have thought being on the left for the shield would be much safer than being on the right, no?
You would only have the kerb to your left as you have got onto the main road staying behind the car that shielded you.

I have a question: what's your attitude towards a move that I've dubbed (in my sad little world) as*** 'the shield'***?

• you're waiting to turn right at a T-junction, or to join a main road from a side road.

• you're (typically) 2nd in the queue.

• you have a clear view of traffic in both directions.

• you see a gap coming; it's safe, but needs a swift and confident move, rather than dawdling out from the side road.

• as anticipated, the driver of the vehicle in front of you decides to take the opportunity.

• you follow the driver into the gap, filtering slightly up their inside, so that they become a shield between you and oncoming traffic.

• you pick a line that is more right-angled than that of the car, therefore gradually moving back behind them by the time you've both straightened out and joined the flow of traffic on the main road (and allowing for the fact you're essentially riding in one of the driver's blindspots).

Sorry, a picture would probably be easier to follow :S

Thanks, skydancer. Must remember to make more eye contact.

Also look at the give way lines and which exits they are on. Some roundabouts have counter intuitive markings.

I think if this is happening on a daily basis, it becomes a priority.

Personally, I'd wait at the same distance from the kerb, but lean heavily to the left and put your foot up on the pavement or in the gutter (as long as you're able to restart without being very off-balance).

I have realised that it must be because I only unclip my right foot (I'm left footed). I am going to try to change the habit.

I still don't know what to do to avoid being undertaken by cyclists. This morning I waited at the red light to turn left I am at the front in the ASL. I kept looking back and raised my arm to indicate left a few times. 4 cyclists undertook me to go through the red. I was about 1 metre from the curb. I guess I will be ok but I am nervous that when the light changes I am going to collide with one of them.

Last night a cyclist undertook me at a red light (small ped crossing) and because she had no space to do so she had to put her left foot on the pavement to manoeuvre and brushed against me. The light changed at the same time, a car was behind me. I told her it was dangerous for me and her to do so but she had her music on so I don't think she heard me or even cared.

I guess there is not much I can do apart from chilling out.

I had a problem like this where I looked back, signaled left (to turn off Tooley Street) and someone still kicked up a fuss.

If I'm riding in a straight line with no turn coming up and see someone too close I'll ask if them "wanna get closer?"

99% of the time their reaction suggests they've temporarily switched off, they apologise and back off to a safer distance.
I also have a conversation saying if you wanna pass go on the outside.

As far as turns are concerned maybe look back/signal earlier so that it is even more obvious to all what your intents are. Problem is - like cars at junctions- if you leave the space someone will take it so maybe move a little closer to the kerb leaving about 50cm?

@Multi Grooves - yes, I'm on the left, the vehicular shield is on my right.

@VeeVee - I should've known you were a bit sinister.

I'm sure many of us have been in the scenario the BMMF mentioned at a junction but rather than using the shield/shadow thingy you decide to be patient/safe and wait until your turn to pull out: drivers behind automatically assume you to be soft in the head or inherently weak as you're on a bike and aggressively pull around you as though you the cyclist are totally incapable of maneuvering out of the junction. This is why you must aim to enter/exit junctions centrally and not let yourself be bullied to the kerb.

If I'm waiting patiently in this kind of scenario:

a) I'll be positioned centrally
b) I'll signal which direction I'm pulling out on first arriving at that point, and when someone pulls up behind me, and just before pulling out. It's a good workout for the upper body, if nothing else.

I have realised that it must be because I only unclip my right foot (I'm left footed). I am going to try to change the habit.

I too am left footed Vee Vee and am not able to change this nor am I keen to or sure if i am able to. Unclipping right foot means we lean into the traffic stream to some extent, which actually gives us more visibility over our right shoulder and may make drivers give us more room on the right. Doesn't help with the left side under taking though.

phew I am glad as I really find it better to unclip the right foot.

i noticed this when i used to drive around sunny cape town...quickly realised that driving without flipflops was far safer, even if it meant black feet...

back on topic: I also use the piggy back. works well around the E&C sometimes - then draft slowly behind bus and eventually overtake on right side when it stops.

^racist

phew I am glad as I really find it better to unclip the right foot.

me too! but I ain't left footed or left handed...

just cack-footed and racist i guess.

The great majority of the people I have taught via Tower Hamlets recently have been women. Does anyone have any stats or info on the take up of training amongst men and women?
And, while we are at it, what is the gender breakdown of Cycle Trainers?

I've just booked a training session with cycletraining.co.uk, thanks to Skydancer.

Just one question, the confirmation email I got said:

"** It is a legal requirement to have two working sets of brakes."

Is it going to be a problem that I ride fixed, front brake only?

Also my trainer will be Paul Francis? Is he on here?

I've just booked a training session with cycletraining.co.uk, thanks to Skydancer.

Just one question, the confirmation email I got said:

"** It is a legal requirement to have two working sets of brakes."

Is it going to be a problem that I ride fixed, front brake only?

Also my trainer will be Paul Francis? Is he on here?

good you've booked your lesson John. No worries re brakes as long as you have one on the handlebar. The other is your legs (You have foot retention I hope).

Paul is on here but not that active. He rides fixed and is very experienced

Enjoy the lesson

No worries re brakes as long as you have one on the handlebar. The other is your legs (You have foot retention I hope).

Yes, of course, I wasn't sure how they would define brakes, but if he rides fixed that isn't an issue.

thanks

Does anyone know whether our esteemed cycling Met police officers are given any cycle training? I only ask because just yesterday I was behind one, going down Finchley Rd (in temple fortune) who was almost skimming a layer of paint off of car doors he was so close. It is also, in my opinion, one of the most dangerous places to ride - there's always someone stepping off the kerb, or a froomer (chassidic) driving whilst davening (praying). Surely the police are supposed to set a good example. I nearly said something to him, but thought he might think I was being lippy, and anyway, he was busy talking on his radio!

Not related to the above, and please move/repost if this is in the wrong place, but ages ago *m.f asked me to post a link to CTC's e-newsletter for cycle trainers. I kept forgetting at work, and then remembering at home but thinking I couldn't access the link, but I've just discovered I can access the link, so here it is. Sorry it's so late.

CTC's e-newsletter for cycle trainers

I'm pretty sure I have seen that link somewhere on here but if* I* can't find it then it's useful to have it (re)posted. Thanks.

The great majority of the people I have taught via Tower Hamlets recently have been women. Does anyone have any stats or info on the take up of training amongst men and women?
And, while we are at it, what is the gender breakdown of Cycle Trainers?

and while I am at it, is anyone going to respond to this? I am curious to find out.

Random observation:

Could somebody get the message out that it is far too warm to wear a hi vi, waterproof, long sleeved jacket. And you won't die if you don't wear it cause it gets dark at 10pm.

Does anyone know whether our esteemed cycling Met police officers are given any cycle training? I only ask because just yesterday I was behind one, going down Finchley Rd (in temple fortune) who was almost skimming a layer of paint off of car doors he was so close. It is also, in my opinion, one of the most dangerous places to ride - there's always someone stepping off the kerb, or a froomer (chassidic) driving whilst davening (praying). Surely the police are supposed to set a good example. I nearly said something to him, but thought he might think I was being lippy, and anyway, he was busy talking on his radio!

The met and city cycling squad do get trained and have improved this training loads over the past few years. There is training offered at their base in hendon and they learn some advanced level 1 stuff such as cycling up and down steps and fast mounts and dismounts etc. They could do with more on road training they get some hazzard perception training. The city police are much better at training their cycling squad and have developed a coursse which combines IPMPA . with National standard training

More of an issue with the police is the non cyclists among them often don't understand why riders sometimes take up the lane and they have stopped assertive cyclists to tell them off for blocking the road or riding in a selfish manner which propmpted ctuk writing this document

The great majority of the people I have taught via Tower Hamlets recently have been women. Does anyone have any stats or info on the take up of training amongst men and women?
And, while we are at it, what is the gender breakdown of Cycle Trainers?

and while I am at it, is anyone going to respond to this? I am curious to find out.

I think, from what I've heard anecdotally, women are more open to the idea of training than men. I seem to remember LB Hackney or STA Bikes saying some time ago that the majority of people taking up training were women. Merely confirms what you've seen. I'm sure David knows more.

The great majority of the people I have taught via Tower Hamlets recently have been women. Does anyone have any stats or info on the take up of training amongst men and women?
And, while we are at it, what is the gender breakdown of Cycle Trainers?

I could probably did some stats out will.
Anecdotally the male / female split amongst ctuk's individual trainees is around 70% + women (Blokes are more reluctant to admit they would benefit from training), in our instructing team of around 40 people we have 50% women.

this document

... is excellent.

a simple +1 to that ^^thanks for sharing, will come in handy.