How would define a safe cyclist?

[deptfordmarmoset]

A safe cyclist is one who doesn't have accidents, or cause other people to have them.
I think that covers it!

If you happened to be walking along a pavement and a car driver loses control and wipes you out would you qualify as an unsafe pedestrian? Not in my view. And while I agree with the causing other people to have accidents part, I don't think you can attribute cycling accidents automatically to be evidence of unsafe cycling. Sometimes you get bullies, stressed-out psychos, and more often you get distracted or otherwise incompetent drivers.

 

[jonny jeez]

Confident, not cocky
Assertive, not aggressive
Courteous, not submissive
Aware, not critical

Most of all its a rider that can give off a sense of calmness and control to other road users so that they have no reason to feel anxious themselves.

 

[Brandane]

So you think the cyclists killed by drunk drivers were unsafe cyclists?

They weren't UNSAFE; but they were not SAFE. There is a subtle difference. Please read previous posts regarding other peoples actions having an effect on ones safety. HTH. (as I won't be getting further involved in yet another pointless discussion with you).

 

[growingvegetables]

They weren't UNSAFE; but they were not SAFE. There is a subtle difference.

No, there isn't.

Imho, you're muddying the water, by confusing two similar questions - "what is a safe cyclist?" (down to the individual and their riding style), and "is a cyclist safe?" (... with all the other nutters on the road?).

Safe cyclist - looks out for his/her safety, and that of others.
Safe cyclist, taken out from behind by a drunk driver = one unlucky safe cyclist.

 

[summerdays]

Sorry this is my dilemma with the survey, in that I expect I don't agree with their definition of safe, and it set my two brain cells thinking trying to decide what elements a safe cyclist might have. I agree with those who think it relates to awareness, communicating with others etc. It doesn't relate to accidents directly, though those who have a lot of accidents "may" not be safe (thinking about my friend's husband who is a bit of a risk taker and seems to have a number of accidents).

 

[Levo-Lon]

I survived over 30yrs of motorcycling and most of that was riding the fastest creations on the planet..
i road cycle in the same manner..treat all other road users as a potential threat to your health-life ..
So i would say im an observant cyclist. Highway code works well for cyclists...
id say im ok in the safe sense ,but ther's always new lessons to learn...
unpredictable idiots will always be a threat..so if you run Reds and dont look where your going? you can claim that mantle..

 

[snorri]

A safe cyclist does not cycle in winter, avoiding the risk of slips and slides on icy surfaces.

 

[gavgav]

One that doesn't ride on the pavement and cross the road without looking to his right

 

[Brandane]

No, there isn't.

Imho, you're muddying the water, by confusing two similar questions - "what is a safe cyclist?" (down to the individual and their riding style), and "is a cyclist safe?" (... with all the other nutters on the road?).

Safe cyclist - looks out for his/her safety, and that of others.
Safe cyclist, taken out from behind by a drunk driver = one unlucky safe cyclist.

We'll just need to agree to differ on this matter then! The OP was inviting us to define "safe", which as this thread proves, is open to interpretation.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A safe cyclist does not cycle in winter, avoiding the risk of slips and slides on icy surfaces.

Or alternatively a safe cyclist prepares for winter conditions and cycles using appropriate gear such as studded tyres.

 

[MontyVeda]

I consider myself a 'safe' cyclist in so much as my momentum is never more important than my safety. All too often I witness other cyclists being a tad reckless in order to avoid slowing down or stopping.

 

[MontyVeda]

A safe cyclist does not cycle in winter, avoiding the risk of slips and slides on icy surfaces.

but the other options, walking or driving also involve icy surfaces... are you so safe that you hibernate?

 

[snorri]

but the other options, walking or driving also involve icy surfaces... are you so safe that you hibernate?

No! Hibernating is dangerous for humans.

 

[snorri]

Or alternatively a safe cyclist prepares for winter conditions and cycles using appropriate gear such as studded tyres.

I'm often more concerned about other road users jeopardising my safety in icy conditions.

 

[MontyVeda]

No! Hibernating is dangerous for humans.

but if the ice worries you so much, how do you get from A to B in winter? Walking in icy conditions is no safer than cycling or driving... in fact the roads are far less treacherous than the pavements.