How would define a safe cyclist?

[summerdays]

This has thought has been initiated by a survey currently on the forum, but it made me wonder how would you define a safe cyclist?

I don't think it s defined by whether you have accidents or what you wear, more by how you cycle, being aware of potential hazards. However I'm intrigued by how you would define a safe cyclist, and whether you consider yourself to be one.

I'm guessing that the poll will show that in general we consider ourselves above average? Perhaps in wrong.

 

[Markymark]

Most think they're above average in everything they do whereas in reality it's only really me who is.

 

[Lonestar]

A safer cyclist would be a cyclist who doesn't jump red lights for fun.

I can't vote.I think I'm ok but a lot of cyclists I see seem to rarely look behind or just seem so unaware.

I think that if you think you are above average you are probably wrong.

 

[Phil Fouracre]

Self fulfilling prophecy! Didn't you know, most drivers think that they are 'above average' :-(

 

[smutchin]

A safer cyclist would be a cyclist who doesn't jump red lights for fun.

There are two aspects to red light jumping.

One is the legality - it's unambiguously illegal to jump red lights, though both cyclists and motorists do it all the time.

The other is the safety angle - ostensibly the reason that it's illegal, though it's far from true that it's always unsafe to jump red lights (pedestrian crossing on a deserted street in the middle of the night, for example).

There's a lot more to safety than following the letter of the law - it's perfectly possible to be an entirely law-abiding cyclist yet still be a danger to yourself and/or others.

Therefore you are categorically wrong.

To my mind, safe cycling is largely about awareness of and consideration to other road users. Awareness of other road users means knowing how you could be a danger to them and how they could be a danger to you, plus understanding that other road users don't always behave predictably and adjusting your riding accordingly. Consideration means sharing the road space, not treating it like your private race track, and not behaving in a way that gratuitously inconveniences other road users.

I won't be voting in the poll.

 

[Lonestar]

Err yes.I get that.That would just be an example but on the CS 2 CS 3 and East - West routes it's very common that they put themselves or pedestrians/motorists at risk from doing this because they can't be patient.About as bad as the motorist who MGIF.Cyclists do the MGIF in front all the time when sometimes it's pointless.

Self fulfilling prophecy! Didn't you know, most drivers think that they are 'above average' :-(

My point exactly.I try my best out there but I don't think I'm perfect and sometimes I make mistakes or have poor road positioning...predict wrong,whatever.

 

[boydj]

What is a 'safe' cyclist? One who takes no risks, one who obeys the highway code? Even very careful cyclists can have an off - a patch of unseen diesel, an unavoidable pothole, a careless driver.

The only truly 'safe' cyclist is one who never goes out.

 

[smutchin]

Err yes.I get that.

Your comment suggests otherwise.

 

[winjim]

Self fulfilling prophecy! Didn't you know, most drivers think that they are 'above average' :-(

Dunning-Kruger effect, innit.

Paradoxically I think it's recognising my crapness at driving that makes me better. I'm a pretty safe cyclist I reckon. A lot of roadcraft is mitigating the effects of other people's mistakes so I try to be observant and think about what could go wrong in any given situation. And I own the road when I need to.

 

[smutchin]

The only truly 'safe' cyclist is one who never goes out.

To be a safe cyclist, first you must be a cyclist.

By your logic, I'm a safe helicopter pilot.

 

[Lonestar]

Your comment suggests otherwise.

Yeah well you must have misunderstood my point.Or perhaps I put it across wrong.Or I only gave one example.

 

[Crackle]

I'd be very surprised if the top demographic is not, above average.

 

[Lonestar]

I'd be very surprised if the top demographic is not, above average.

It is so far.I'm impressed.I'd go for average then.Hope I'm not over estimating myself.

 

[smutchin]

I only gave one example.

Exactly.

So, what do you consider to be the most important factor in cycling safety? And why did you mention red light jumping if you think it's something else? How do you expect people to 'understand your point' if you say the opposite of what you believe?

 

[Lonestar]

Exactly.

So, what do you consider to be the most important factor in cycling safety? And why did you mention red light jumping if you think it's something else? How do you expect people to 'understand your point' if you say the opposite of what you believe?

Well what do you consider? Awareness I'd say.Not going up the inside of vehicles at silly times.Lights.Not riding the wrong way up the CS 2.Not close overtaking at speed on the CS 2 or CS 3.No cat 6 racing at inappropriate times.Leave that to the boy racers.