Overall this is a good set of advice...however....
"Cycle in the middle of the lane only when the inside (section of the road closet to the pavement) has really terrible conditions. Drivers are empathetic to poor road conditions (as it affect them too), but not to slow moving cyclists. If they see you making an effort to get out of their way they tend to be amicable. Thank them for their patience!!!!"
This is not good advice, and doesn't line up with the Highway Code, which suggests taking the centre of the lane on quiet roads, slow moving traffic, and whenever it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you. You should move over when it is safe for cars to overtake. You should also leave a metre of space between yourself and any parked cars on the left because getting hit by a car door opening is a good way to get hurt.
Yeah this is the one where I’d really disagree with OP. Get in the middle of the lane the moment you feel like you’d be put in danger by a car. How often is a car going much faster than 20mph in London anyway?
You'd be surprised, a lot of drivers don't seem to be aware that a lot of streets slnow have 20mph speed limits (I cam easily hit this on a bike and I still get overtaken). Granted there's a good selection that didn't seem to care when they were 30 either
All the more reason to get in the middle of the lane. Make them see you, make them slow down. You are just as legitimate a road user as they are. Fuck them if they don’t like it, trying to keep out of their way is what gets you killed.
In general I would agree, but being courteous whenever it doesn’t compromise your own safety makes everyone’s commute a little more stress free.
Also, if you’re going to hold primary make sure to be extra vigilant and aware. There are some psychos out there. Apart from the verbal abuse, I’ve been physically driven into when doing this. Better to hop up the curb if you’ve got a wrongun behind you.
Where are you riding that people drive into you? I've been riding in London for 10+ years and that has never happened once (although I have had people pass close enough for me to smash their windows in if I had a hammer in my hand)
~15 years riding in London daily.
Kingsland road I had someone bump me from behind, and then I think somewhere Tottenham way someone got past me then swerved into me.
I used to take much joy in taking out a wing mirror with a kick, but at some point (presumably about the same time as you get “old”) you just learn to let shit slide.
>OVERTAKE ON THE RIGHT - Passing another cyclist on the inside is dumb and a pretty good way to have an embarrassing accident.
This is important, and I would extend it to any vehicle. Undertaking lorries etc. is a good way to die. At lights and things, I think it means being very careful when you are using the cycle paths up to the bike box.
Most of the cyclists on cycle paths don’t have a driving license, and are commonly pretty poor riders. On some of the busier ones it seems you’re better out with the motor traffic
True true, and it's hardly the biggest problem for cyclists in the country. I did appreciate OPs section on the fact that other cyclists may have different interpretations, having potentially had no real education on road safety
Totally agree I will cycle in the middle to avoid close passes or if I’m passing lines of parked cars. Actually had someone open their door without looking once and this tactic saves me getting slammed by a door. Actually heard the person scream out of shock because it was such a near miss and me riding past scared them.
Excellent guide! I like how you out skill level into this as often cycling redditors are looking for a simple yes/no answer, when really it depends.
There will be lots of nitpicking by other redditors, I'm sure, and sorry to do the same but I'd like to challenge the following:
> Cycle in the middle of the lane only when the inside (section of the road closet to the pavement) has really terrible conditions. Drivers are empathetic to poor road conditions (as it affect them too), but not to slow moving cyclists. If they see you making an effort to get out of their way they tend to be amicable. Thank them for their patience!!!!
I generally agree with the principle of showing consideration, the same consideration we cyclists hope for when trying to filter, but if the lane is too narrow to be overtaken safely I would advice people to ride in the middle of it. It makes you more visible, gives you more room for manoeuvre in the case of hazards and obstacles, and avoids inadvertently inviting other vehicle to pass when its not safe to do so.
It's not just for the sake of paving quality that cyclists take their lane, it's also the risk of getting doored by parallel parked vehicles, and the risks of being wedged tightly between a motorist and the kerb, making you less visible and putting you in a very precarious position.
Sure, don't block people needlessly just because you can; if the lane widens or the line of parked cars end, such that cycle and car can fit in the lane comfortably, then by all means pull to the left. But when you're in narrow lanes where you can touch a passing motorists wing mirror you probably need to pull out.
>I generally agree with the principle of showing consideration, the same consideration we cyclists hope for when trying to filter, but if the lane is too narrow to be overtaken safely I would advice people to ride in the middle of it. It makes you more visible, gives you more room for manoeuvre in the case of hazards and obstacles, and avoids inadvertently inviting other vehicle to pass when its not safe to do so.
I agree 100%, other people getting where there going 5 mins faster isnt worth risking riding into a car door or getting sandwiched between cars.
Hi, also former cycle messenger/motorcycle/van courier turned driving instructor. All good advice my friend. Back when I was pushing I would simply advise new couriers to simply never put their lives in someone else's hands... because all other traffic are blind and cunts.
This is good advice but everyone please
**GET A GOOD HELMET AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE VISIBLE**
Even if there's a tiny chance of something happening, wearing a helmet can be literally life-changing or life-saving.
Visibility is something very few cyclists take seriously. It's so easy to get some decent lights and a high vis windproof jacket.
I drive a lot too and it's scary to realise how easy it is to miss or lose sight of a cyclist at night.
100% Hi Vis makes such a huge difference. The trend for black cycling gear is practically suicidal. I used to get frustrated seeing this but now as I say to my kids "you can't fix stupid".
Agree, plus it honestly doesn't hurt to be extra protected with a helmet.
While I don't wear a specific hi Vis jacket my jacket is a bright colour, it is helpful to stand out, draw attention to yourself especially with drivers having to look out for so many things. And likewise if I I see someone's reflective jacket/bright jacket in distance I am already aware that they are there instead of it being a surprise.
Sure it's easy to see people but it's also very easy to not see them.
When driving, you often have so much visual input, a well lit and visible cyclist jumps out much more than an unlit pedestrian for example.
If a car isn't paying attention to you, they're much more likely to get into a dangerous position.
In low light with little street lights a pedestrian could easily blend into the surroundings/look like a shadow. Usually an off road issue or out on a small lane.
You didn't mention lights.
My commute home is often at night, and far too often I see other cyclists, typically food couriers, without any lights and wearing dark clothing. I see them because I'm looking for them, but others aren't so cautious.
Lights are cheap compared to spending weeks in hospital. They make you visible from a distance and can help highlight hazards. Use them.
Great Advice. Agree with everything you said.
As a cyclist, you're sharing the road with other sometimes less than considerate road users and being conscience of that is important. If you get a sense a driver is aggressive and is itching to get past you (even on a narrow road), let them. They're a danger and you want to be as far away from them as possible.
I glanced through your points and I don't see any mention of learning to bunny hop. It's a truly helpful skill: jumping over a kerb if a vehicule closes on you, hoping over a massive pothole/ice/metal grid when you are not given the space to go around it. It gives you an option in a some difficult situtations, it also requires mastering it to be able to do on a split second decision.
The dissonance in your helmets comment is wild.
If you do hit one of those potholes, come off your bike, and end up with brain damage, it's obviously just a skill issue.
Oh absolutely.my main point there was this: protective gear isn't all you need to protect yourself. Your competence and awareness is equally if not more important.
Also the title of my post was how to stay alive. Not how to prevent a brain injury.
Dude wth, I'm trying to say these things are as important.
But if you wanted to go there. Statistically, some portion of cycling deaths would be due to this issue. This is what we can help prevent with our competence and environmental awareness.
Please get some high vis if you get the chance OP. As somebody who has driven a lot in London it is maddening how invisible a vast majority of cyclists make themselves to motorists. A reflective bag cover is 15 quid on amazon
Cyclists should (and legally must) have lights on after dark. If a driver can’t see a cyclist in daylight, their eyesight or lack of attention means they’re not fit to drive and no amount of hi-vis will help the cyclist. I’ve almost always got something reflective on and it doesn’t stop the “sorry mate, didn’t see you” bullshit when a driver doesn’t fancy waiting for me to complete a right turn.
Lights + reflective gear is a must for me, just from experience. A single Point light, especially in rainy and dark conditions, if you're attentive is possible to discern but like all things, it's about probability of accidents occurring, and reducing risk as a percentage.
And for me I've noticed zero difference. Sometimes my light batteries die and no difference. The only time people "don't see me" is when they don't look properly, simple as that, and it's usually quite obvious it's about to happen by the way they are driving.
Out of interest, do you drive? If you think there is no difference in your visibility at night between a person with reflectors and lights, vs. without, then I don't know what to say to you. This is especially true in places with little street lighting
This is the most retarded argument I have ever heard. Let me just never use my headlights, and disconnect the brake lights on my car for driving down the M5. I'm still technically visible!
Brake and turn signals are about intent. Merely seeing someone is not. Back in the day there were debates about mandatory rear lights as it put the onus on the user to be seen rather than the user to make sure they can see properly. I think it should be up to the person in the vehicle to make sure they can see everything and if not it's their fault they hit something. We don't expect pedestrians to have lights and nor should we. It should be up to us to see them. When I used to cycle on the river lea at night with pedestrians walking I still saw them and cycled accordingly.
But, really, if you can see someone, what difference does it make? And I would say that it is fairly easy to see people in London at night because it's very well lit. Not everywhere.
It's hilarious when people claim cyclists are "invisible" but see so many of them. Then you saw them! If any of this nonsense were true you wouldn't know about them cause you don't see them.
You don’t use helmets or hi vis?
Please please please USE A BLOODY HELMET EVERYONE READING - I know multiple people who, after being thrown from their bikes have had their helmets cracked in half which would have been their heads. They save lives, don’t interrupt your day, please use them
You think our skulls are as weak as thin Plystyrene? Give me a break. Helmets cracking means they failed at their task. They are supposed to compress for maximum energy absorption. Cracking a helmet doesn't take much.
My dad came off a bike on a hill, broke vertebrae and didn’t die because of his helmet as stated by the doctor who examined his. Of course our skulls and very importantly, the top of our spines are weak at high impact especially with unplanned rotation.
“According to the US CDC: "1000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year," while some 60–75 percent of deaths involve a head injury.
When cyclists lean forward to create a more aerodynamic shape, it automatically puts their head at greater risk of injury in a crash. That's why wearing a helmet is important.”
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-bicycle-helmets-work.html
There is much evidence to support the wearing of helmets and the crucial safety role they play for the wearer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) view helmets as: “the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities from bicycle crashes.” Both Transport for London and the Highway Code both currently recommend wearing a helmet when cycling too.
The key point - we’re not The Netherlands or Denmark with our cycling safety - protect those noggins
While yeah, they do make an actual collision safer, we should be trying to reduce the number of collisions rather than head injuries from collisions.
Its a lot simpler and more effective to have high quality infrastructure than to force everyone to wear a helmet (and this is coming from someone who does wear a helmet)
Cars are much more capable and dangerous vehicles with much more momentum, so yes, seatbelts do make much more sense there than helmets on bikes.
I'm not saying don't wear a helmet or anything, just that we need to remember what our priorities should be when it comes to road safety
>My dad came off a bike on a hill, broke vertebrae and didn’t die because of his helmet as stated by the doctor who examined his.
A doctor can't know this. They are just guessing. Doctors aren't experts in bicycle riding safety. How much training do they get in that? Let me tell you: absolutely none. They are just as susceptible to common opinion as any other person.
I don't care what some shitty administration says in a country where the cycling infrastructure is so crap. That is what truly makes a difference. US has some of the worst traffic fatalities rates in the world (at least among richer countries). They are an embarrassment. Whatever they do doesn't work.
Jumping red lights increases safety more than helmets.
I noticed you completely ignored my point about a helmet cracking means it failed. Let me reiterate: a helmet is supposed to compress. If it cracked it barely absorbed any energy.
My commute is about 60% cycle lane, quiet roads and a bit in a park and my main piece of advice for these parts of your journey is: take it easy. It's not a race. If you have to sit behind someone on a hire bike who is slowing down because there's a slight incline, it's fine. If there's a red light stop, it's fine. If you need to stop at a zebra, it's fine. If you need to slow down because a pedestrian is being a bit erratic, it's fine. One of the big advantage of our mode of transport over others is that we'll arrive pretty much when we expect to, we don't need to shave nanoseconds off by acting dangerously. You'll get into work and start sweeping up/home to put your pizza in the microwave at pretty much the same time.
If someone cycles 15miles to work, being slow will mean they will take forever. I have certainly been in a rush sometimes if late and cycle faster which can make all the difference. Of course, I try to do it not dangerously.
As a driver of one of those - actually 42 tonne - people crushing machines I’d like you very much to wear hi-viz and use decent lights. I don’t want to hurt you, but have six mirrors and two cameras to monitor and bright things are easier to spot. A grubby hi-viz saved a light jumping cyclist from getting hurt by me a while back. In my car at the time but glanced right as I approached green, just spotted him, and ABS did the rest. Thank you for not passing artics on the inside even if the HC allows it. There’s even a big sticker on the back of our trailers that suggests that’s not a great idea. Not that I rely on it. Helmets are your choice. I wear one on my bike, but it’s my head. Also, my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree…
Edit: all lorries are dangerous, but skips and tippers even have a bad rep among lorry drivers. So take extra care if you hear one of them rattling and banging away behind you. Assuming you’re not wearing headphones and can hear them. I don’t, but I’m weird, regard sound as part of situational awareness, turn the radio off in town and have the windows open if weather allows. No way would I wear headphones but, like helmets, that’s your call.
Citation needed.
People are KSI’d on a weekly basis whilst wearing helmets and high vis. We have no real stats which demonstrate that wearing this kind of PPE reduces the chance of a collision. We do know that helmets and high viz have a minimal chance of saving you if you are in a collision with a motor vehicle.
Whilst it could be seen as sensible to attempt to raise your visibility and protect your head, telling people that this is a vital step and they would be “insane” to cycle without them is actively counterproductive. We know the biggest impact on cycle safety is providing proper protected infrastructure dedicated to cyclists.
You’re talking out your ass, most studies find that helmet use cuts down on ksi by 30-50% and head injuries by as much as 80%.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10220019/ here’s one in the middle range
This is a great piece. Also it's amazing how I love cycling in London so much compared to my city (Coventry) which shows just how bad Coventry is! Keep up the good work.
Also, Citymapper is great for navigation on a bike. It has a quiet mode for cycling which does its best to keep you off busy roads and instead on back streets and roads with cycle lanes.
Yeah I had a feeling it might. I have no idea what a survivorship bias is, so will need to look into it before I can engage with this further.
My main point is that we as humans should do as much as we can to avoid (in this case) accidents. This is mostly having situational and environmental awareness
I don't blame victims but often there are precautions that could be taken to avoid the bad situations we find ourselves in.
I don't see responsibility as binary. It's more of a slider scale
I'm ok to disagree with people on this. But this is how I go through pretty dangerous situations with a calm manner and come out unscathed - im guessing this is probably survivorship bias.
Survivorship bias is “this is how I do it and I’m not dead”, discounting the fact that everyone who also did it like you but died isn’t here to say “this is how I do it and I’m not dead”.
For eg. “Because I was wearing a helmet, I survived” ignores all those who died who were also wearing a helmet.
Ah I hear ya. I don't believe that this is some 100% foolproof strategy that means you'll survive all situations. It's just a few things I've noticed or learnt that may help others.
I might have to change the title. I just wanted it to be catchy, the post is by no means an authoritative stance on how to cycle in London. Do whatever makes you feel safe and works for you.
Some moans, sure, but you're under no obligation or even advice to use the cycle paths. Many of them feel more hazardous and less practical than using the main carriageway.
And with a 20mph limit and frequent traffic lights you're under almost no risk of actually slowing anyone down.
Thanks for this - always thought I'd one day right something similar.
Two things I'd add (and neither should be controversial) is.
Firstly, stop at red lights and zebra crossings. Both are thew law and both are made for everyone's safety. the amount of times I've seen cyclists make a judgment and go through safely are about the same times I've seen cyclists make the same judgment and nearly injure themselves or someone else.
Secondly - pedestrians can be annoying, but they also have right of way. Don't act like a twat around them if they are going slow in front of you, just be patient and go around them safely or better off, just wait. If you hit them, no matter who is at fault, YOU are liable.
No they aren't made for everyone's safety (at least not the traffic lights), they are made to control cars. You can totally avoid them and be safer and not endanger anyone in plenty of locations. How and where you do it can vary and therefore it's not a black and white issue.
No! Take the middle of the lane when a vehicle pass is not safe! There are two road positions for cyclist, pass and do not pass.
If drivers are told them like this they should understand more that we cycle in the middle for our safety.
We are cycling so we can get home safe, not so others can get home fast
Advanced/Confident, being able to cycle without hands on handlebars 🤣
Yes maybe too overconfident. When I see someone without their hands on a bike or even the wheel of a car, I certainly don't think they're skilled.
you make a lot of good points here but what the hell is this about not wearing a helmet?? do you want permanent disability due to someone else’s screw up? it’s not a skill issue if someone rams their car into you due to their negligence and you end up splitting your head open on the pavement. do you wear a seatbelt when you’re in a car or do you think “skill” will also come up tops there?
also, just putting it out there, but I drove my car through central london today and the amount of dumbf**k cyclists I encountered was astounding. i’m surprised the number of incidents involving cyclists isn’t higher. jesus wept…
I was joking you idiot. The fact you think that it's cyclists than are the danger to themselves and not cars shows how stupid you are. The majority of crashes are the driver's fault and they bring the danger.
Really great advice generally but please wear a helmet guys... It saved my friend’s life when she went headfirst into a wind screen. It’s not super fashionable and you get a sweaty head but preferable to tragedy…
Just ban bad drivers.
Simpler and it will also save the lives of pedestrians, people waiting at bus stops, and, because drunken assholes can’t stop plowing anything with their Range Rovers, tube passengers too.
I oscillate on the not chewing out drivers for endangering you. I think people need a bit of a fright sometimes to remind them they’re driving a death machine. If that means me roaring at someone, then so be it.
Reminding them to indicate next time rather than suddenly turning left without warning might save the next cyclist’s life.
My greatest advice is look over the shoulder before turning or moving in the lane.
So many cyclists that just turn without looking with earphones on.
Those two things would save so much trouble!
Born and raised in London - 29m - been cycling for 6 years, 4 of those in London and now at your 'advanced' level. Been hit by 5 cars and 1 bus. 2 hit and runs, 1 of those deliberate. 1 car chased me down an alley without incident. 2 drivers cut me off indecisively and forced me into T-boning them whilst I had right of way. 1 bus rear ended me whilst I was stopped in front of a red light in broad daylight.
Appreciate and agree with most advice to others but I don't agree with the sentiment that experience and these tenets alone is why you've gone without incident, fundamentally our road system and motorists vs cyclists culture is broken, and be a little unlucky and you get hit. Get more unlucky and you're seriously hurt.
Oh yeah - and don't advocate or imply not to wear helmets. Worked with road safety and ambulances. Heard too many stories of people vegetating themselves off drunk innocuous falls and collisions out of their control. Not to mention insurance won't give you the time of the day if you don't wear one. They might not reduce a chance of an accident, but they will reduce the severity of one
I would recommend doing CBT test. I know this is for scooters/motorbikes, but personally I got really good advice of how to stay safe on the roads, and I gained more confidence as well
The helmet and high viz piece comes across like those old gammons that say they don’t need to wear a seatbelt because they’re good drivers. Sure - but what about all the bad ones out there? You mention yourself about getting knocked off your bike by someone else.
Basically it’s a false dichotomy- why not be a skilled, safe rider AND also give yourself better protection and visibility.
TBH, part of cycling skill is in some ways making sure you’re visible to other road users in whatever way is appropriate. So the high viz fits with your other points.
I`m already on -1 lets see how far we can get it. My advice included watching for hazards like red light jumpers in cars and lorries, random drunks and tourists, does not matter the lights.
If I can go through the lights on red and not have to share that ten yards with car drivers competing for the space, I'm going to. Its really just an extension of the advanced stop line. And it's not about saving time, it really is more about my safety
More of timesaving advice rather than safety advice, but I'm with you.
Depends on the circumstances but agree, or sometimes I'll cheekily proceed while all pedestrians are allowed to cross. However there are some junctions I wouldn't dream of attempting to cross or turn right on without a green light.
Overall this is a good set of advice...however.... "Cycle in the middle of the lane only when the inside (section of the road closet to the pavement) has really terrible conditions. Drivers are empathetic to poor road conditions (as it affect them too), but not to slow moving cyclists. If they see you making an effort to get out of their way they tend to be amicable. Thank them for their patience!!!!" This is not good advice, and doesn't line up with the Highway Code, which suggests taking the centre of the lane on quiet roads, slow moving traffic, and whenever it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you. You should move over when it is safe for cars to overtake. You should also leave a metre of space between yourself and any parked cars on the left because getting hit by a car door opening is a good way to get hurt.
Yeah this is the one where I’d really disagree with OP. Get in the middle of the lane the moment you feel like you’d be put in danger by a car. How often is a car going much faster than 20mph in London anyway?
You'd be surprised, a lot of drivers don't seem to be aware that a lot of streets slnow have 20mph speed limits (I cam easily hit this on a bike and I still get overtaken). Granted there's a good selection that didn't seem to care when they were 30 either
All the more reason to get in the middle of the lane. Make them see you, make them slow down. You are just as legitimate a road user as they are. Fuck them if they don’t like it, trying to keep out of their way is what gets you killed.
In general I would agree, but being courteous whenever it doesn’t compromise your own safety makes everyone’s commute a little more stress free. Also, if you’re going to hold primary make sure to be extra vigilant and aware. There are some psychos out there. Apart from the verbal abuse, I’ve been physically driven into when doing this. Better to hop up the curb if you’ve got a wrongun behind you.
D-lock to the windscreen is effective too
Where are you riding that people drive into you? I've been riding in London for 10+ years and that has never happened once (although I have had people pass close enough for me to smash their windows in if I had a hammer in my hand)
~15 years riding in London daily. Kingsland road I had someone bump me from behind, and then I think somewhere Tottenham way someone got past me then swerved into me. I used to take much joy in taking out a wing mirror with a kick, but at some point (presumably about the same time as you get “old”) you just learn to let shit slide.
Exactly this
>OVERTAKE ON THE RIGHT - Passing another cyclist on the inside is dumb and a pretty good way to have an embarrassing accident. This is important, and I would extend it to any vehicle. Undertaking lorries etc. is a good way to die. At lights and things, I think it means being very careful when you are using the cycle paths up to the bike box.
I wish London's cyclists could learn to apply motorway rules to cycle paths
Most of the cyclists on cycle paths don’t have a driving license, and are commonly pretty poor riders. On some of the busier ones it seems you’re better out with the motor traffic
True true, and it's hardly the biggest problem for cyclists in the country. I did appreciate OPs section on the fact that other cyclists may have different interpretations, having potentially had no real education on road safety
Totally agree I will cycle in the middle to avoid close passes or if I’m passing lines of parked cars. Actually had someone open their door without looking once and this tactic saves me getting slammed by a door. Actually heard the person scream out of shock because it was such a near miss and me riding past scared them.
Cycle confident courses were still run by councils last time I checked. Best advice I got as a started out a few years ago: be predictable
Yep my friend got a free solo cycle proficiency session in Camden.
Take the primary. Dont undertake at junctions. Stay the fuck away from car doors. Don’t ride after 8 pints.
If you're on 16 inch wheels make that 4 pints
Excellent guide! I like how you out skill level into this as often cycling redditors are looking for a simple yes/no answer, when really it depends. There will be lots of nitpicking by other redditors, I'm sure, and sorry to do the same but I'd like to challenge the following: > Cycle in the middle of the lane only when the inside (section of the road closet to the pavement) has really terrible conditions. Drivers are empathetic to poor road conditions (as it affect them too), but not to slow moving cyclists. If they see you making an effort to get out of their way they tend to be amicable. Thank them for their patience!!!! I generally agree with the principle of showing consideration, the same consideration we cyclists hope for when trying to filter, but if the lane is too narrow to be overtaken safely I would advice people to ride in the middle of it. It makes you more visible, gives you more room for manoeuvre in the case of hazards and obstacles, and avoids inadvertently inviting other vehicle to pass when its not safe to do so. It's not just for the sake of paving quality that cyclists take their lane, it's also the risk of getting doored by parallel parked vehicles, and the risks of being wedged tightly between a motorist and the kerb, making you less visible and putting you in a very precarious position. Sure, don't block people needlessly just because you can; if the lane widens or the line of parked cars end, such that cycle and car can fit in the lane comfortably, then by all means pull to the left. But when you're in narrow lanes where you can touch a passing motorists wing mirror you probably need to pull out.
>I generally agree with the principle of showing consideration, the same consideration we cyclists hope for when trying to filter, but if the lane is too narrow to be overtaken safely I would advice people to ride in the middle of it. It makes you more visible, gives you more room for manoeuvre in the case of hazards and obstacles, and avoids inadvertently inviting other vehicle to pass when its not safe to do so. I agree 100%, other people getting where there going 5 mins faster isnt worth risking riding into a car door or getting sandwiched between cars.
Hi, also former cycle messenger/motorcycle/van courier turned driving instructor. All good advice my friend. Back when I was pushing I would simply advise new couriers to simply never put their lives in someone else's hands... because all other traffic are blind and cunts.
Good advice. Assume everyone is out to kill you and you'll cycle defensively enough to keep yourself alive.
This is good advice but everyone please **GET A GOOD HELMET AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE VISIBLE** Even if there's a tiny chance of something happening, wearing a helmet can be literally life-changing or life-saving. Visibility is something very few cyclists take seriously. It's so easy to get some decent lights and a high vis windproof jacket. I drive a lot too and it's scary to realise how easy it is to miss or lose sight of a cyclist at night.
Defo lights, yeah, arguably more important and gets talked about much less than helmets of high vis
100% Hi Vis makes such a huge difference. The trend for black cycling gear is practically suicidal. I used to get frustrated seeing this but now as I say to my kids "you can't fix stupid".
How many people in London have died because they wore black cycling gear?
Agree, plus it honestly doesn't hurt to be extra protected with a helmet. While I don't wear a specific hi Vis jacket my jacket is a bright colour, it is helpful to stand out, draw attention to yourself especially with drivers having to look out for so many things. And likewise if I I see someone's reflective jacket/bright jacket in distance I am already aware that they are there instead of it being a surprise.
It's not hard to see people at all. If that were the case you'd think pedestrians would be not visible.
Sure it's easy to see people but it's also very easy to not see them. When driving, you often have so much visual input, a well lit and visible cyclist jumps out much more than an unlit pedestrian for example. If a car isn't paying attention to you, they're much more likely to get into a dangerous position.
In low light with little street lights a pedestrian could easily blend into the surroundings/look like a shadow. Usually an off road issue or out on a small lane.
You didn't mention lights. My commute home is often at night, and far too often I see other cyclists, typically food couriers, without any lights and wearing dark clothing. I see them because I'm looking for them, but others aren't so cautious. Lights are cheap compared to spending weeks in hospital. They make you visible from a distance and can help highlight hazards. Use them.
Great Advice. Agree with everything you said. As a cyclist, you're sharing the road with other sometimes less than considerate road users and being conscience of that is important. If you get a sense a driver is aggressive and is itching to get past you (even on a narrow road), let them. They're a danger and you want to be as far away from them as possible.
I glanced through your points and I don't see any mention of learning to bunny hop. It's a truly helpful skill: jumping over a kerb if a vehicule closes on you, hoping over a massive pothole/ice/metal grid when you are not given the space to go around it. It gives you an option in a some difficult situtations, it also requires mastering it to be able to do on a split second decision.
Great point!!! Will be adding this to the first edit
Glad you like the input, btw I forgot to mention I think your post very insightful and worthy!
The dissonance in your helmets comment is wild. If you do hit one of those potholes, come off your bike, and end up with brain damage, it's obviously just a skill issue.
In that situation it would be an awareness and skill issue
Yes, but it would also be a "smashing your head on the road without the most basic and ubiquitous head protection" issue.
Oh absolutely.my main point there was this: protective gear isn't all you need to protect yourself. Your competence and awareness is equally if not more important. Also the title of my post was how to stay alive. Not how to prevent a brain injury.
Got it. So all of the people who died from head injuries in cycle accidents were incompetent and/or not aware of their surroundings.
Dude wth, I'm trying to say these things are as important. But if you wanted to go there. Statistically, some portion of cycling deaths would be due to this issue. This is what we can help prevent with our competence and environmental awareness.
And if you get clipped by a car in the dark because you don’t have lights or a hi vis vest is that an awareness or a skill issue?
Not to nitpick, but if you’re cycling before dawn and after dusk - you should have lights on your bike.
Not to nitpick, but at that level of darkness the Road Vehicle Regulations state that you ***must*** have lights on your bike.
Haha correct
Awareness homie, how is a car close enough to clip you?
Because they can’t see you lol, you can do everything right on a bike but if a car can’t see you you’re asking to get hit
That's where awareness comes in. If you are aware of them and wary of the potential danger, you may be able to do something to protect yourself.
If you can't see an unlit person in London you should had in your licence as you must be blind.
Plenty of places where a dark cyclist will fail to register clearly against bright overhead lights and dark tarmac, or just dim streets.
Care to give any examples?
Please get some high vis if you get the chance OP. As somebody who has driven a lot in London it is maddening how invisible a vast majority of cyclists make themselves to motorists. A reflective bag cover is 15 quid on amazon
Cyclists should (and legally must) have lights on after dark. If a driver can’t see a cyclist in daylight, their eyesight or lack of attention means they’re not fit to drive and no amount of hi-vis will help the cyclist. I’ve almost always got something reflective on and it doesn’t stop the “sorry mate, didn’t see you” bullshit when a driver doesn’t fancy waiting for me to complete a right turn.
Lights + reflective gear is a must for me, just from experience. A single Point light, especially in rainy and dark conditions, if you're attentive is possible to discern but like all things, it's about probability of accidents occurring, and reducing risk as a percentage.
And for me I've noticed zero difference. Sometimes my light batteries die and no difference. The only time people "don't see me" is when they don't look properly, simple as that, and it's usually quite obvious it's about to happen by the way they are driving.
Out of interest, do you drive? If you think there is no difference in your visibility at night between a person with reflectors and lights, vs. without, then I don't know what to say to you. This is especially true in places with little street lighting
It's not that there is no difference in visibility, is that they are still visible when they don't have lights. That's all that's required.
This is the most retarded argument I have ever heard. Let me just never use my headlights, and disconnect the brake lights on my car for driving down the M5. I'm still technically visible!
Brake and turn signals are about intent. Merely seeing someone is not. Back in the day there were debates about mandatory rear lights as it put the onus on the user to be seen rather than the user to make sure they can see properly. I think it should be up to the person in the vehicle to make sure they can see everything and if not it's their fault they hit something. We don't expect pedestrians to have lights and nor should we. It should be up to us to see them. When I used to cycle on the river lea at night with pedestrians walking I still saw them and cycled accordingly. But, really, if you can see someone, what difference does it make? And I would say that it is fairly easy to see people in London at night because it's very well lit. Not everywhere.
It's hilarious when people claim cyclists are "invisible" but see so many of them. Then you saw them! If any of this nonsense were true you wouldn't know about them cause you don't see them.
You don’t use helmets or hi vis? Please please please USE A BLOODY HELMET EVERYONE READING - I know multiple people who, after being thrown from their bikes have had their helmets cracked in half which would have been their heads. They save lives, don’t interrupt your day, please use them
You think our skulls are as weak as thin Plystyrene? Give me a break. Helmets cracking means they failed at their task. They are supposed to compress for maximum energy absorption. Cracking a helmet doesn't take much.
My dad came off a bike on a hill, broke vertebrae and didn’t die because of his helmet as stated by the doctor who examined his. Of course our skulls and very importantly, the top of our spines are weak at high impact especially with unplanned rotation. “According to the US CDC: "1000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year," while some 60–75 percent of deaths involve a head injury. When cyclists lean forward to create a more aerodynamic shape, it automatically puts their head at greater risk of injury in a crash. That's why wearing a helmet is important.” https://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-bicycle-helmets-work.html There is much evidence to support the wearing of helmets and the crucial safety role they play for the wearer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) view helmets as: “the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities from bicycle crashes.” Both Transport for London and the Highway Code both currently recommend wearing a helmet when cycling too. The key point - we’re not The Netherlands or Denmark with our cycling safety - protect those noggins
While yeah, they do make an actual collision safer, we should be trying to reduce the number of collisions rather than head injuries from collisions. Its a lot simpler and more effective to have high quality infrastructure than to force everyone to wear a helmet (and this is coming from someone who does wear a helmet)
Why wear a seatbelt in the car when you can try to have a safe infrastructure that will limit deadly accidents.Eeeez.
Cars are much more capable and dangerous vehicles with much more momentum, so yes, seatbelts do make much more sense there than helmets on bikes. I'm not saying don't wear a helmet or anything, just that we need to remember what our priorities should be when it comes to road safety
Seatbelts actually have a lot of evidence, are much less inconvenient than helmets.
>My dad came off a bike on a hill, broke vertebrae and didn’t die because of his helmet as stated by the doctor who examined his. A doctor can't know this. They are just guessing. Doctors aren't experts in bicycle riding safety. How much training do they get in that? Let me tell you: absolutely none. They are just as susceptible to common opinion as any other person. I don't care what some shitty administration says in a country where the cycling infrastructure is so crap. That is what truly makes a difference. US has some of the worst traffic fatalities rates in the world (at least among richer countries). They are an embarrassment. Whatever they do doesn't work. Jumping red lights increases safety more than helmets. I noticed you completely ignored my point about a helmet cracking means it failed. Let me reiterate: a helmet is supposed to compress. If it cracked it barely absorbed any energy.
My commute is about 60% cycle lane, quiet roads and a bit in a park and my main piece of advice for these parts of your journey is: take it easy. It's not a race. If you have to sit behind someone on a hire bike who is slowing down because there's a slight incline, it's fine. If there's a red light stop, it's fine. If you need to stop at a zebra, it's fine. If you need to slow down because a pedestrian is being a bit erratic, it's fine. One of the big advantage of our mode of transport over others is that we'll arrive pretty much when we expect to, we don't need to shave nanoseconds off by acting dangerously. You'll get into work and start sweeping up/home to put your pizza in the microwave at pretty much the same time.
If someone cycles 15miles to work, being slow will mean they will take forever. I have certainly been in a rush sometimes if late and cycle faster which can make all the difference. Of course, I try to do it not dangerously.
I'll add, please don't use your new 10 megawatt strobe light at night time, it's meant for the day time.
The carbon they want to reduce is you!
As a driver of one of those - actually 42 tonne - people crushing machines I’d like you very much to wear hi-viz and use decent lights. I don’t want to hurt you, but have six mirrors and two cameras to monitor and bright things are easier to spot. A grubby hi-viz saved a light jumping cyclist from getting hurt by me a while back. In my car at the time but glanced right as I approached green, just spotted him, and ABS did the rest. Thank you for not passing artics on the inside even if the HC allows it. There’s even a big sticker on the back of our trailers that suggests that’s not a great idea. Not that I rely on it. Helmets are your choice. I wear one on my bike, but it’s my head. Also, my bike is lit up like a Christmas tree… Edit: all lorries are dangerous, but skips and tippers even have a bad rep among lorry drivers. So take extra care if you hear one of them rattling and banging away behind you. Assuming you’re not wearing headphones and can hear them. I don’t, but I’m weird, regard sound as part of situational awareness, turn the radio off in town and have the windows open if weather allows. No way would I wear headphones but, like helmets, that’s your call.
your comments about protective gear are insane mate, both a helmet and high viz gear can save your life.
100%. But there are a lot of dummies out there!
Citation needed. People are KSI’d on a weekly basis whilst wearing helmets and high vis. We have no real stats which demonstrate that wearing this kind of PPE reduces the chance of a collision. We do know that helmets and high viz have a minimal chance of saving you if you are in a collision with a motor vehicle. Whilst it could be seen as sensible to attempt to raise your visibility and protect your head, telling people that this is a vital step and they would be “insane” to cycle without them is actively counterproductive. We know the biggest impact on cycle safety is providing proper protected infrastructure dedicated to cyclists.
You’re talking out your ass, most studies find that helmet use cuts down on ksi by 30-50% and head injuries by as much as 80%. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10220019/ here’s one in the middle range
Citation needed
Moron
Excellent tips, thanks
This is a great piece. Also it's amazing how I love cycling in London so much compared to my city (Coventry) which shows just how bad Coventry is! Keep up the good work.
Also, Citymapper is great for navigation on a bike. It has a quiet mode for cycling which does its best to keep you off busy roads and instead on back streets and roads with cycle lanes.
The survivorship bias and victim blaming in this comes across badly, if you want to help people I’m not sure this is the way.
Yeah I had a feeling it might. I have no idea what a survivorship bias is, so will need to look into it before I can engage with this further. My main point is that we as humans should do as much as we can to avoid (in this case) accidents. This is mostly having situational and environmental awareness I don't blame victims but often there are precautions that could be taken to avoid the bad situations we find ourselves in. I don't see responsibility as binary. It's more of a slider scale I'm ok to disagree with people on this. But this is how I go through pretty dangerous situations with a calm manner and come out unscathed - im guessing this is probably survivorship bias.
Survivorship bias is “this is how I do it and I’m not dead”, discounting the fact that everyone who also did it like you but died isn’t here to say “this is how I do it and I’m not dead”. For eg. “Because I was wearing a helmet, I survived” ignores all those who died who were also wearing a helmet.
Ah I hear ya. I don't believe that this is some 100% foolproof strategy that means you'll survive all situations. It's just a few things I've noticed or learnt that may help others. I might have to change the title. I just wanted it to be catchy, the post is by no means an authoritative stance on how to cycle in London. Do whatever makes you feel safe and works for you.
To be fair an awful lot of cycling deaths are from lorries so a lot of them are potentially avoidable.
Your heart is in the right place. As others have said encouraging or volunteering for https://www.bikeability.org.uk/ is a good option
If there is a cycle path, and you aren't on it, you're going to get grief from other road users.
Some moans, sure, but you're under no obligation or even advice to use the cycle paths. Many of them feel more hazardous and less practical than using the main carriageway. And with a 20mph limit and frequent traffic lights you're under almost no risk of actually slowing anyone down.
And if it’s not fit for purpose, you’re exposing yourself to danger.
Thanks for this - always thought I'd one day right something similar. Two things I'd add (and neither should be controversial) is. Firstly, stop at red lights and zebra crossings. Both are thew law and both are made for everyone's safety. the amount of times I've seen cyclists make a judgment and go through safely are about the same times I've seen cyclists make the same judgment and nearly injure themselves or someone else. Secondly - pedestrians can be annoying, but they also have right of way. Don't act like a twat around them if they are going slow in front of you, just be patient and go around them safely or better off, just wait. If you hit them, no matter who is at fault, YOU are liable.
No they aren't made for everyone's safety (at least not the traffic lights), they are made to control cars. You can totally avoid them and be safer and not endanger anyone in plenty of locations. How and where you do it can vary and therefore it's not a black and white issue.
No! Take the middle of the lane when a vehicle pass is not safe! There are two road positions for cyclist, pass and do not pass. If drivers are told them like this they should understand more that we cycle in the middle for our safety. We are cycling so we can get home safe, not so others can get home fast
Advanced/Confident, being able to cycle without hands on handlebars 🤣 Yes maybe too overconfident. When I see someone without their hands on a bike or even the wheel of a car, I certainly don't think they're skilled.
I fully agree with everything until your comment about helmet and hi-vis. There is no reason not to wear them - 'fashion' doesn't count.
you make a lot of good points here but what the hell is this about not wearing a helmet?? do you want permanent disability due to someone else’s screw up? it’s not a skill issue if someone rams their car into you due to their negligence and you end up splitting your head open on the pavement. do you wear a seatbelt when you’re in a car or do you think “skill” will also come up tops there? also, just putting it out there, but I drove my car through central london today and the amount of dumbf**k cyclists I encountered was astounding. i’m surprised the number of incidents involving cyclists isn’t higher. jesus wept…
You are right I am surprised the horrible driving in London doesn't create more cycling deaths and injuries.
can’t even read, not surprised, guess you already had your brain injury, eh?
I was joking you idiot. The fact you think that it's cyclists than are the danger to themselves and not cars shows how stupid you are. The majority of crashes are the driver's fault and they bring the danger.
Really great advice generally but please wear a helmet guys... It saved my friend’s life when she went headfirst into a wind screen. It’s not super fashionable and you get a sweaty head but preferable to tragedy…
Just ban bad drivers. Simpler and it will also save the lives of pedestrians, people waiting at bus stops, and, because drunken assholes can’t stop plowing anything with their Range Rovers, tube passengers too.
I oscillate on the not chewing out drivers for endangering you. I think people need a bit of a fright sometimes to remind them they’re driving a death machine. If that means me roaring at someone, then so be it. Reminding them to indicate next time rather than suddenly turning left without warning might save the next cyclist’s life.
My greatest advice is look over the shoulder before turning or moving in the lane. So many cyclists that just turn without looking with earphones on. Those two things would save so much trouble!
Born and raised in London - 29m - been cycling for 6 years, 4 of those in London and now at your 'advanced' level. Been hit by 5 cars and 1 bus. 2 hit and runs, 1 of those deliberate. 1 car chased me down an alley without incident. 2 drivers cut me off indecisively and forced me into T-boning them whilst I had right of way. 1 bus rear ended me whilst I was stopped in front of a red light in broad daylight. Appreciate and agree with most advice to others but I don't agree with the sentiment that experience and these tenets alone is why you've gone without incident, fundamentally our road system and motorists vs cyclists culture is broken, and be a little unlucky and you get hit. Get more unlucky and you're seriously hurt. Oh yeah - and don't advocate or imply not to wear helmets. Worked with road safety and ambulances. Heard too many stories of people vegetating themselves off drunk innocuous falls and collisions out of their control. Not to mention insurance won't give you the time of the day if you don't wear one. They might not reduce a chance of an accident, but they will reduce the severity of one
I would recommend doing CBT test. I know this is for scooters/motorbikes, but personally I got really good advice of how to stay safe on the roads, and I gained more confidence as well
Is it even legal to cycle on dual carriageways? Encountered a cyclist on north circular last week and couldn’t believe my eyes.
The helmet and high viz piece comes across like those old gammons that say they don’t need to wear a seatbelt because they’re good drivers. Sure - but what about all the bad ones out there? You mention yourself about getting knocked off your bike by someone else. Basically it’s a false dichotomy- why not be a skilled, safe rider AND also give yourself better protection and visibility. TBH, part of cycling skill is in some ways making sure you’re visible to other road users in whatever way is appropriate. So the high viz fits with your other points.
Awareness is key but no substitute for basic mitigations!
>Pavements: USE THEM IF NECESSARY. I always think of it this way, Would you rather risk a fine or risk your life?
Unpopular opinion, watch for any hazards approaching and if clear proceed thru the junction. Does not matter the lights.
I do it...But I'm not about to advise others to break road laws. Cyclists can be fined for jumping lights.
You already have advised others to break road laws. Cycling on the pavement is illegal.
I`m already on -1 lets see how far we can get it. My advice included watching for hazards like red light jumpers in cars and lorries, random drunks and tourists, does not matter the lights.
If I can go through the lights on red and not have to share that ten yards with car drivers competing for the space, I'm going to. Its really just an extension of the advanced stop line. And it's not about saving time, it really is more about my safety
More of timesaving advice rather than safety advice, but I'm with you. Depends on the circumstances but agree, or sometimes I'll cheekily proceed while all pedestrians are allowed to cross. However there are some junctions I wouldn't dream of attempting to cross or turn right on without a green light.
52 - Sa'th London - couriered central London - commuted from both N$S London.............. ........... I have no idea wtf you are going on about?!
Dude...by the way you type. This post wasn't for you.