SPEED, does it effect safety in a city

[Racing roadkill]

I never have this problem.

Sometimes I wonder if there is another "London" that I am yet to find.

I don't seem to have any ...or at least very few, of the issues that riders talk about while riding through town.

I genuinely wonder if its a speed thing (no disrespect to those that ride at a slower pace to me.) when I ride slowly with a different ride buddy i do feel a lot more at risk then when I ride my own pace.

Perhaps I have found a pace that neither inconveniences or frustrates other road users.

I appreciate that this sounds like an arrogant response but the question needs asking. Is it more hazardous to ride slowly through heavy traffic?

Perhaps i should start a thread to ask the question

Nothing to do with speed, I tend not to hang about on the flat, it's down to clownery from the lorry / bus / whatever drivers, in certain areas. Ride at a speed appropriate to the conditions and environment you find yourself in. I saw a 'Lycra hero' get pinged over the bonnet of a cab, yesterday. He was trying to set a land speed record, in built up traffic at Finsbury circus. Even the bike courier behind him couldn't stop himself from laughing.

 

[jonny jeez]

Some riders encounter threats to safety whilst riding in a busy urban environment, such as a city.

Others don't.

Do we think that the speed at which you ride in town has any impact on your feeling of risk/safety

 

[Sittingduck]

Almost certainly, imho. I reckon you feel more confident, look more confident and get less grief of motorists if you are able to keep up with traffic a bit better.

 

[jonny jeez]

Nothing to do with speed, I tend not to hang about on the flat, it's down to clownery from the lorry / bus / whatever drivers, in certain areas. Ride at a speed appropriate to the conditions and environment you find yourself in. I saw a 'Lycra hero' get pinged over the bonnet of a cab, yesterday. He was trying to set a land speed record, in built up traffic at Finsbury circus. Even the bike courier behind him couldn't stop himself from laughing.

Sure but he was most likely just a nob on a bike (stravasshole as Ian would put it). I don't mean racing, just traffic pace...sort of travelling at the same speed as everything else, where practical.

anyhow, I've started a poll so lets see what others feel.

 

[ianrauk]

You have got to at least try keep up with the traffic. For your own sake and for that of motorists too. It's all about confidence. Show confidence around traffic and it seems you get more respect from motorists.

Edit: @Sittingduck great minds and all that..

 

[jonny jeez]

Once we have a breadth of opinion I shall be interested to ask those in each camp, how great a perception of threat they feel every day.

 

[User6179]

I find on main roads outwith a city that the faster you go the more incidents happen , drivers see a bike and cant judge the speed , they end up overtaking and cutting in too soon or have to brake sharpish as they realise they cant make a pass ,every single one of my bad near misses have been above 20mph , in the towns I have found the opposite , if you can keep up with the traffic and ride in the centre of the lane you have less trouble.

 

[summerdays]

I don't feel as safe when I am under the weather, tired etc and going slow. I'm not saying you have to cycle at a fast speed (as I'm not the fastest in the world), but it is very useful to be able to accelerate quickly if you need to to get out of trouble. I do feel less safe on hills when I know my top speed is extremely limited!

 

[glenn forger]

Unfortunately vehicular cycling is inevitable because the cycle facilities are so poor. Rubbish design encourages riders to stay safer by riding at motorised traffic speed.

 

[jefmcg]

Ah, see I was thinking about inner city, stopped cars etc and pedestrians suddenly stepping out from behind a bus.

Can we have a 4th option - "Depends"?

 

[Ian H]

Speed and positioning are equally important. Give yourself space.

 

[Tin Pot]

I have no idea why someone would think traffic speed matters. Are they scared of being passed?

Your speed should be appropriate to the situation, not the location.

 

[glenn forger]

I have no idea why someone would think traffic speed matters. .

It's because overtaking is where the danger comes from. Drivers are impatient and take absurd risks, riding at their speed obviates risky overtakes. Do you cycle in cities often?

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I used to give it welly on my commute but I learned that I was only racing from one red light to the next so I now ride at whatever steady pace feels comfortable.
I don't feel the need to keep up with cars if they're travelling faster than me, why should I?


GC

 

[sidevalve]

As with vehicles - speed is pretty much irrelevant. It is where and when that matters. The rules that apply to cars apply to bikes too
1 - be ABLE [not just think you can] to stop in the distance you can SEE to be clear. In town this does mean beware suicidal peds
2 - It doesn't matter how safe you feel it matters how safe you ARE - they are not always the same thing. Riding fast down a high street and congratulating yourself on how you are easily visible to cars following you it is easy to forget little Jeremy and Jemima running out in front of you.
I know it sounds preachy but it is still true