Stats for nerds
2recommend
2mentions
2people
2012–2013years
100% recommend
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Right! Exactly as described in Cyclecraft (http://www.amazon.com/Cyclecraft-Skilled-Cycling-Techniques-...).
But some people just ignore your good cycling technique. What often happens is that cars still insist on trying to overtake you navigating junctions when you take your lane, even when there is a) no where for them to go in front of you, as you're keeping pace with traffic, b) doing so endangers you safety, as the pass extremely close, forcing you out of the lane, c) pushes other traffic out of their correct position, as they straddle two lanes.
I stopped cycling in London regularly because of the sheer number of incidents like these I'd see - at least one a week, where the car driver just shrugged and sped off.
- I've been riding seriously for 18+ months, in rural and urban environments in the South of England. I get nervous when I think about the accidents I read or hear about in the news, but I have never had any problems with deliberate harassment, and only a couple of times when people have been careless and I had to bellow at them (works incredibly well, bellowing).
Training and hi-viz are everything: I have lights for daylight running and a fluorescent jacket.
Jacket: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackrock-Workwear-Highland-Visibili... Headlamp: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumen-Cycling-Bicycle-Light-HeadLigh... Blinkies: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cateye-HL-LD130-TL-LD130-Light-Set/d...
Also, learning how to ride correctly has made a huge difference, try this book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-complete-enjoyable-cyclin...
If you want the reassurance of a helmet (I have mixed opinions) get a Specialized since they're made to a higher standard than most other brands.
Try to find quieter routes if you want to try riding. This app can help:
http://www.transportdirect.info/web2/journeyplanning/findcyc...
As can scouting your route using street-view, etc.
Try it, you should live :) And as OA says, you'll live well too.
