Beginner - losing confidence in safety

[SEsycul]

Hi there.

I'm new to this forum.

I'm getting back into road cycling and love it. I used to cycle in the Peak District and moved to London and now have a very different cycling experience of cycling in south east London. It's definitely, um, different!

I've only just got back on my bike and got it back to a good and safe condition. I've been out on two short rides.

However, I'm a bit of a nervous wreck with how vulnerable I feel. I have three young kids and a wife, and feel as though an accident is inevitable, maybe soon, maybe in years to come. I haven't done anything untoward, but even yesterday a van pulled out in front of me leaving me with just seconds to brake to a complete stop.My legs went to jelly and my heart was racing. And that's a fairly near miss just two rides in.

So I guess I'm looking for reassurance and advice - how do you tackle that anxiety of worrying about being swept off the road? Or is Britain just not safe for road cyclists? Or is London just not the place to be? (Should say, I'm in the Greenwich borough, so not exactly in the most urban areas, but still, it's not the Peaks!). I really want to commit to this and feel the benefits, but I also don't want to be a nervous wreck!

Thanks!

[Jdsk]

Welcome.

You're not alone.

Any chance of getting an experienced cyclist to follow you for a bit and make some comments?

Jonathan

PS: It might not help at the moment but remember that the health gains from the exercise are greater than the risk from an "accident". Just less publicised.

[SEsycul]

Thanks Jonathan.

Yes, I'd happy try anything. What would you suggest, find local clubs/Facebook groups, and see if someone will come for a ride with me?

Cheers.

[Jdsk]

Exactly. All of those + ask in local bike shop... and here?

Jonathan

[teamonster]

If you're in London, see if your borough offers free cycle training, most do. Its not just for beginners, they will normally also do riding on roads with you to improve riding position/habits and confidence. Lessons are suspended in most places at the moment because of Covid, but will no doubt kick off again soon.

[SEsycul]

Exactly. All of those + ask in local bike shop... and here?

Jonathan

Thanks - is there a specific sub-forum to post on for local groups, or just use this thread?

If so, if anyone's around the Greenwich/Welling area - please do shout!

If you're in London, see if your borough offers free cycle training, most do. Its not just for beginners, they will normally also do riding on roads with you to improve riding position/habits and confidence. Lessons are suspended in most places at the moment because of Covid, but will no doubt kick off again soon.

Thanks. As in the boroughs' councils offer free cycle training? Never knew that! And will check it out, thanks.

[Vorpal]

Normally, I would recommend Bikeability lessons. I don't think many of those are available currently, so I will instead recommend, Cyclecraft, the book Bikeability is based on.

It isn't perfect, in that it is biased towards cycling on the road, using vehicular cycling methods, however, it does have very good advice about how to do so as safely as possible.

That sort of incident happens to everyone, sometimes. It is good that you were aware, and able to brake in time. Awareness is one of the best tools to help prevent crashes. Cycling is a basically safe activity, but we are, of course, vulnerable out there.

Junctions in general are the riskiest areas for cyclists. I recommend 'taking the lane', that is, riding in the middle of the lane, or at least well away form the kerb. That makes us more visible to drivers, and puts us where they look for other vehicles. Slowing down and covering the brakes will reduce the reaction time, and make emergency type braking less likely. Lastly, I basically assume that every driver is careless and clueless. They aren't, of course, but if I assume so, when I do encounter people doing stupid crap, it's less likely to be me that comes to harm as a result.

Finally, even if someone else is wholly the cause of a near miss, I try to learn from it to prevent future incidents. I think about if I could have done something differently to be aware of the risk earlier, make myself more easily seen, etc.

[Jdsk]

I recommend 'taking the lane', that is, riding in the middle of the lane, or at least well away form the kerb. That makes us more visible to drivers, and puts us where they look for other vehicles. Slowing down and covering the brakes will reduce the reaction time, and make emergency type braking less likely. Lastly, I basically assume that every driver is careless and clueless. They aren't, of course, but if I assume so, when I do encounter people doing stupid crap, it's less likely to be me that comes to harm as a result.

Agreed x3.

Jonathan

[teamonster]

Normally, I would recommend Bikeability lessons. I don't think many of those are available currently, so I will instead recommend, Cyclecraft, .

I think the adult 1-1 Bikeability lessons will kick off again soon, they are already happening in Tower Hamlets and Hounslow I think. Totally agree on the use of the primary position (aka "taking the lane") when appropriate, you control the traffic behind then. In many cases it also improves your visibility, both to see and be seen especially at junctions.

[teamonster]

Exactly. All of those + ask in local bike shop... and here?

Jonathan

Thanks - is there a specific sub-forum to post on for local groups, or just use this thread?

If so, if anyone's around the Greenwich/Welling area - please do shout!

If you're in London, see if your borough offers free cycle training, most do. Its not just for beginners, they will normally also do riding on roads with you to improve riding position/habits and confidence. Lessons are suspended in most places at the moment because of Covid, but will no doubt kick off again soon.

Thanks. As in the boroughs' councils offer free cycle training? Never knew that! And will check it out, thanks.

Yep funded by TFL (well by our taxes really !) just check the council website

[SEsycul]

Junctions in general are the riskiest areas for cyclists. I recommend 'taking the lane', that is, riding in the middle of the lane, or at least well away form the kerb. That makes us more visible to drivers, and puts us where they look for other vehicles. Slowing down and covering the brakes will reduce the reaction time, and make emergency type braking less likely. Lastly, I basically assume that every driver is careless and clueless. They aren't, of course, but if I assume so, when I do encounter people doing stupid crap, it's less likely to be me that comes to harm as a result.

That's very helpful, thank you. So far, my instinct has definitely been more defensive and hovering over the brakes and expecting not to be seen, so glad that's the case.

Also, what's the best advice for going past parked cars and avoiding being hit by an opening door? THat's another fear which has added to the stress of it!

[Jdsk]

Also, what's the best advice for going past parked cars and avoiding being hit by an opening door? THat's another fear which has added to the stress of it!

Again you're not alone.

You can look for clues like what drivers and passengers are doing, lights being turned on and off, the front wheels turning, exhaust emissions...

But you're still left with the choice of leaving a full door's clearance, or may be a bit more for some bodily protuberance (and there's lots of advice to do that), and feeling that you're being pushed very high (right in the UK). In lanes that choice is similar to the general advice of taking the lane. But there's also the situation without lanes when there are vehicles coming the other way, or perhaps are about to...

Jonathan

PS: The Dutch Reach. Please consider passing it on.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dooring#Dutch_Reach

[Marcus Aurelius]

The sort of urban riding ( especially in London ) you’re describing is quite unlike anything else you’ll likely experience. The key is to be assertive, and concentrate. Don’t worry too much about most of the motorists you’ll encounter, they no more want to hit you, than you want to be hit. The exception is Black Cabs, they have the turning circle of a house fly, tend to stop suddenly ( reacting to being hailed normally ) and are pretty unpredictable at the best of times ( in my experience). Regarding avoiding being doored, look at the inside of the car, if it’s unoccupied, you’re not going to get doored, if you see anyone in the car, assume they haven’t seen you, and give them a wide berth. There will be a click, before a door swings open, if you hear the click, assume the door is going to be flung open, without looking. You need to keep all your wits about you, and listening is as important as looking ( which is why I despair of cyclist with headphones in / on ). Be assertive with your movements, don’t just drift about, use your hands to indicate, and try to make eye contact with the drivers of any vehicles with which you are likely to come into possible conflict positions. You can often tell what a motorist is going to do by listening to what the car is doing. Don’t be bullied, keep out of the gutter, keep your eyes peeled, listen, and you’ll be fine.

[Vorpal]

Junctions in general are the riskiest areas for cyclists. I recommend 'taking the lane', that is, riding in the middle of the lane, or at least well away form the kerb. That makes us more visible to drivers, and puts us where they look for other vehicles. Slowing down and covering the brakes will reduce the reaction time, and make emergency type braking less likely. Lastly, I basically assume that every driver is careless and clueless. They aren't, of course, but if I assume so, when I do encounter people doing stupid crap, it's less likely to be me that comes to harm as a result.

That's very helpful, thank you. So far, my instinct has definitely been more defensive and hovering over the brakes and expecting not to be seen, so glad that's the case.

Also, what's the best advice for going past parked cars and avoiding being hit by an opening door? THat's another fear which has added to the stress of it!

When I taught Bikeability in schools, I told the kids, 'the width of a door and a little bit more', meaning ride far enough out, that if a door opens, it won't hit you. But part of that is moving out in plenty of time. If the road is very narrow, and there is oncoming traffic, pull up and wait where you can be seen. If there is a van, truck, or lorry, stay far enough from it, that others can see still see you, whether it is parked or moving. If the narrowed part of the street is long, stay in a prominent position and force the drivers of motor vehicles to slow right down and wait for you. Then, either pull in when you can, or let them past when it safe to do so. If there are cars parked on both sides, and only a single vehicle width available, that probably means riding right down the middle.

I wouldn't rely on being able to see someone in a vehicle. You can't see through all vehicles, especially business vehicles and small vans. Furthermore, chidren can open doors, even when they are too small be be obvious. If you just ride well away from the cars, there's no worry about the doors.

If you can, use other motor vehicles to sort of shield you going through roads narrowed by parked cars or pinch points, but again, stay where you are still visible, as much as possible.

Basically, it should be handled on a bike, as if you were driving a car, but keeping in mind that many drivers think of bicycles as taking up almost no space (and will try to pass/overtake when there isn't really enough space). The book I recommended above http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/book.html has considerably more detail and some diagrams, explaining it.

[SEsycul]

Thanks so much everyone - this is far more than I expected and really helpful.

I should say that I'm not exactly cycling in central London - and nor do I intend to! I'm in one of the more "leafy" boroughs (but still obviously encounter a fair bit of traffic).

The avoiding getting doored tips all make sense and I'll keep them in mind as I plan to go out tomorrow.

One more question - I've seen using your lights in the daytime as something that helps - is that right? And what about bells to warn pedestrians etc? Is that advised?

Will take a look at the book too - thanks.