Seriously lacking confidence in ANY traffic

[phaedrus]

Dont listen to this man, he just goes out to cause an annoyance to cars.
Hes like a critical mass, but hes on his own and going a tad faster, but still causing an annoyance!

Joe, be quiet. Grown-ups are talking.

 

[Joe24]

Joe, be quiet. Grown-ups are talking.

**** off

Mirrors are crap, just look over your shoulder, simple

 

[Globalti]

What's that statistic? Something like 80% of road accidents happen within a mile of home or something?

 

[Coco]

What's that statistic? Something like 80% of road accidents happen within a mile of home or something?

So take the train/bus to 1 mile away from home and you'll have seriously reduced your chances of having an accident

 

[trustysteed]

common sense

it's all you need.

 

[Joe24]

common sense

it's all you need.

Yes, exactly, **** cycle craft.

Not literaly though, unless your into that sort of a thing

 

[I am Spartacus]

you are going to get bullied much more than the fit, assertive looking cyclist with loud clothing and a purposeful body posture.

Too damn right.....
take heed..

adreneline works for me in order to get snotty with misbehavers

 

[Weegie]

if you look doddery and ill-equipped with a badly fitted helmet and clothes flapping in the breeze you are going to get bullied much more than the fit, assertive looking cyclist with loud clothing and a purposeful body posture.

Hmm. Then I am officially screwed for the forseeable future. Nevertheless, copy of Cyclecraft ordered from Amazon. Thanks for all the helpful advice, everyone!

 

[purplepolly]

However, one thing which may be a bit counter-intuitive (depending of course on the precise roads you're travelling on) - sometimes travelling in off-peak is worse than in peak as the cars are going faster as they're not stuck in traffic. In peak hours it's easier sometimes (and less WMVs about...). Same thing goes for the residential areas - people have just arrived home, go "great, I'm home", and immediately turn off their 'alertness' that was on while they drove home.

I agree with this completely - I started off commuting on council recommended routed down side roads but soon abandoned them for the congested main roads. I never (touch wood) have problems on busy through roads, it's always the quiet ones because people are either being careless or using the route as a rat run. Some off peak main roads would be safer to start with, but until you're more confident, you could do anti-clockwise loops so as to avoid right hand turns.

 

[Jonathan M]

WMV ??

I'm not a commuter, but my 2p anyway.

Have you got a mirror? Using a mirror is no substitute for actually looking over your shoulder before you pull out, but it does help you to keep an eye on the situation behind you without having to keep turning your head. Might help.

My take on mirrors - don't use them.

A head turn means the vehilces behind you re aware that you may be about to make a manoevre. Mirrors don't give them that alert.

 

[HJ]

**** off

Mirrors are crap, just look over your shoulder, simple

True...

 

[HJ]

common sense

it's all you need.

Sadly common sense is far less common than most people seem to think...

 

[yoyo]

I understand your misgivings very well. I used to cycle everywhere when I was at university in the 70s. Then I got my car and became hooked on driving - I am a fearless, confident driver. I returned to cycling for pleasure, shopping and some commuting four years ago. Initially, I was petrified on the road but my confidence returned slowly by doing short trips on roads I knew well. I realised that the majority of drivers tended to give me a wide berth and this helped. Unlike some posters, I cannot recommend a mirror strongly enough. I use it to assess what is behind some distance away and I judge the likely behaviour of the driver dependent on the type of vehicle - this is usually accurate. As the traffic approaches and if I am on a narrow road I look back and eyeball the driver. I have even developed the confidence to ride in primary to prevent an overtaking manoevre that will make me feel unsafe. None of my confidence would have been achieved without the use of a mirror. I have since bought a second bike that does not have a mirror and I am now fine on that.

I think that as a driver you develop the view that every other road user will do something 'silly' and you are ready to take evasive action. On the bike I soon realised that drivers expected me to behave as part of the traffic and I developed the ability to trust them. On the bike you can usually hear, look and judge from the sound behind you how the motorist will behave and things are happening more slowly than when you are driving a car away from cyclists.

 

[phaedrus]

Hmm. Then I am officially screwed for the forseeable future. Nevertheless, copy of Cyclecraft ordered from Amazon. Thanks for all the helpful advice, everyone!

I've commuted for years in all sorts of traffic conditions, including several years of cycling right through Glasgow city centre in the rush hour. FWIW my advice would be:

1. Absolutely read and learn from Cyclecraft. It's invaluable.
2. Aim to be an assertive rather than an aggressive rider. Being vigilant, visible and predictable in traffic are all good.
3. Don't approach your commute as if you're either going to war or entering a bike race. It should be invigorating and fun.
4. Give and take goes a long way. Be forgiving of other people's lapses and mistakes. Chances are you'll make a few yourself!

Most of all, enjoy the experience of gaining experience.

 

[HJ]

FWIW my advice would be:

1. Absolutely read and learn from Cyclecraft. It's invaluable.
2. Aim to be an assertive rather than an aggressive rider. Being vigilant, visible and predictable in traffic are all good.
3. Don't approach your commute as if you're either going to war or entering a bike race. It should be invigorating and fun.
4. Give and take goes a long way. Be forgiving of other people's lapses and mistakes. Chances are you'll make a few yourself!

Most of all, enjoy the experience of gaining experience.

I wish I had said all that! Can we take it and put it as a sticky at the top of the Commuting Forum!!