Did I do something wrong?

[Riverman]

It is possible standing up during cycling so much means you are weaving around the road abit but you'd probably be more aware of this.

Drivers can be difficult sometimes. I have problems with them even as a pedestrian. I recently decided to get off at a mini junction. I saw a car to the left switch on his right hand indicator. Thus I chose to cross the road as I knew he would be turning the other way.

Next thing I know he turns into me and starts honking his horn.

 

[marinyork]

I get a lot more abuse from drivers as a ped than as a cyclist. It's neither here nor there in terms of this discussion.

 

[Riverman]

Had a funny one happen yesterday. I was on a road where there were a few traffic islands and the car ended up having to drive around a traffic island in order to overtake me. I wasn't in the middle of the road though. I generally give drivers too much space.

 

[HJ]

On part of my cycle route today I had to cycle on a road for about 1/10th of a mile, which didn't seem to bad

But while I was cycling, a minivan sped past beeping. I don't know if they were just being idiots or if I was doing something wrong. I was cycling approx 9"-12" from the edge of the road, I thought the most you could go was 24"?

Who was at fault here?

I would say you were far too close to the kerb for safety, you should be at least 1 m (3') from kerb. This is known as the secondary position and is the correct position for riding in traffic. As I am sure someone will have said by now, it is a really good idea to read a book called Cyclecraft by John Franklin, as it explains in detail the best way to ride safely in traffic.

 

[Tynan]

My rule of thumb is to take primary when I really don;t want a car to try and pass me

and then three feet from the edge, happy to move over when I don;t mind being passed and there's someone that wants to pass and needs the space

as for hoots, it's usually clear when it's a polite toot to alert to presence and just idiotic tooting

 

[summerdays]

My rule of thumb is to take primary when I really don;t want a car to try and pass me

+1
Though you still get some idiots that try - like this evening approaching a junction and I wanted to go left - car tried to overtake but suddenly realised that we had ended up at the junction with me in the middle of the lane and him straddling the middle lane. At that point he conceded (car was now totally in the wrong position to go left into a narrow road) and he had to sit behind for 50 yds to where I turned right as this road was double parked and there was no chance of an overtake.

 

[purplepolly]

On training runs I tend to ride at least 2 feet out partly because surface is so poor on the edge, but also this means I avoid drains and lots of potholes. The further out you ride, the more space you allow yourself to escape into if necessary.
.

Not only that but you're more visible - you're most likely to be hit by a car turning out of a side road, being further out means that the driver is more likely to see you.

 

[Banjo]

Jerks in cars.

Hi Sam sadly there are plenty of jerks out there who think it amusing to toot or shout at you as they go past.

Just accept that they are a lower life form than you and definitely dont shout back or give them the finger.Dont even make eye contact.

Your on your own out there its not worth the risk these days .

 

[Will1985]

Not only that but you're more visible - you're most likely to be hit by a car turning out of a side road, being further out means that the driver is more likely to see you.

Oh yeah - I shouldn't forget that one really. I tend to move out almost to the centre white line when passing side roads. That is one aspect of my riding style which clubmates have noticed that changed after a car pulled across me. I'll always move my line even if I see a vehicle still approaching the junction.

Shame that the solicitors don't think it is worth doing a separate psychological check up!!