No confidence on riding with traffic

"Darren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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Hi, I have no confidence in riding in traffic, how do you guys do it ?

Can you ride comfortably (i.e. no wobbles) on a quiet road?

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I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by inches.
It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to kill one.

You might think that way but they're usually not that close
and they don't 'usually' want to kill you - it would mess up
their paintwork!

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Any tricks on building confidence ?

Usually I sook about bike paths, but perhaps in your
case you can use paths for the majority of your journey?
Is that an option? If not, ride the back roads? What sort
of roads are we talking about here?
I started on the road young and it was never really an
issue. I just hit the road and go.. probably because I knew
how to ride, knew the laws (some ;-) ) and there wasn't
any bike paths near me anyway. Oh, also roads are faster
than bikepaths or footpaths and I like going fast :-)

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I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

I could argue with you on that one ;-)

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I feel nervous to approach a roundabout, I feel nervous when I try to make

a

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right or left turn at a busy intersection.

Left hand turn? Why would that make you nervous?
Right hand turns I can understand, but a left hand turn doesn't
have you crossing the road or anything.. find some of those
quiet streets and ride.. hopefully cruising the 'burbs will build
your confidence. Someone else will have better suggestions..

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I love my riding, and its a shame I lack the confidence, or maybe I am
scared of dying or being seriously injured.

Well, if it makes you feel better, I've been on the roads for
at least 10 years and I'm still breathing... I think... it's.. I... ah..
oh oh... DOCTOR?!?!? ;-)

hippy

Darren said:

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by inches.
It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to kill one.

The number one thing ya gotta do is assert yourself. Don't ride in the gutter, ever. If you do, they'll drive past like you're not there. If you ride a foot or two out, then they have to actually move the steering wheel to get around you, and they'll give you a lot more room.

Ride like you belong on the road, be predictable, signal, and take your fair share of roadspace, and the [censored] will almost always respect you.

It's a bit like lion taming, really.

Regards,

Suzy

Darren said:

I feel nervous to approach a roundabout, I feel nervous when I try to make a
right or left turn at a busy intersection.

When doing right hand turns at intersections it's sometimes easier doing a hook turn. They are legal at every intersection for cyclists.

Darren said:

Hi, I have no confidence in riding in traffic, how do you guys do it ?

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by inches.
It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to kill one.

Any tricks on building confidence ?
I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

A bunch ride might be more safer, but I ride alone, and I am an easier
target I feel.

I feel nervous to approach a roundabout, I feel nervous when I try to make a
right or left turn at a busy intersection.

I love my riding, and its a shame I lack the confidence, or maybe I am
scared of dying or being seriously injured.

Dazza

Confidence is something that you get from doing it. You learn how to be
assertive about your rights and it's really quite simple. Despite many
stupid/ignorant drivers, most of them wouldn't actually want to kill
someone. A few times I have been deliberately aimed at or driven off the
road but in my first 6000 km this would've been about 3 or 4
occurrences.

Roundabouts are scary. Cars will cut you off if they want to. It is a
perfect opportunity to practice making eye contact with drivers as you
signal, make sure they have seen you and know that you intend to turn.

Busy intersections can be scary too, mostly trying to figure out where
to ride so that cars don't cut you off. There is a really simple rule
you can follow:
IF YOU THINK THAT IT'S TOO NARROW FOR A CAR TO GET PAST YOU SAFELY,
DON'T GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY.
You're a road user too. If the lane is wide and you are comfortable with
people passing in the lane, then keep left. If it is a narrow road and
there's not enough room, force them to change lanes by sitting in the
middle. You are required to keep as far left as is safe and practical.
It is not practical to sit way over on the left and get sideswiped by
every driver that thinks they can fit.

One thing I've noticed in Brisbane is that it can actually be safer to
ride on main streets, which may seem counter-intuitive. This is because
major roads tend to have wider road shoulders, more room to move and, if
you are forced to take a lane, people have another lane in which to pass
you.

If you're worried about balance or unclipping or something, find an
empty carpark or something to practice all that in. If it's just a
confidence problem, work on it. I still get stressed sometimes about
clipping in when there's rednecks revving around me, and I always stuff
it up. If I tell myself it doesn't matter, then I get it right.

All the best

T

"Darren" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by
inches. It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to
kill one.

Cycle further out into the road. Daft as it may sound, it makes you
safer. If you place yourself just to the right of where most cars' left
wheels would be then you are well and truly in their line of sight so
are unlikely to do a SMIDSY (http://tinyurl.com/6hhv2). Also, it should
be very clear to them that there is not enough space to overtake and
will pull out to overtake properly rather than squeeze past with little
to no space between you and them. Even if they still come too close
you've got that extra bit of space to your left as an emergency escape
rather than smacking you straight into the kerb. Once you know they're
behind you and have slowed to your pace then you can easily move over
temporarily and let them pass, they'll leave you lots more room and pass
more slowly than they would normally.

It takes a little while to get used to. When I first did it I was
worried about being hit from behind, but drivers won't consciously want
to run you over. Sure, you may get the occassional numpty who shouts at
you for making him 10 seconds late, but that's usually the sort of
driver who would arrogantly scream past you leaving an inch gap. I'd
rather have that sort shouting at me than side swiping me. Even the huge
trucks sit fairly patiently behind me until they can pull out (or I can
safely move over) and overtake.

Graeme

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I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

I could argue with you on that one ;-)

You mean you're not really a few lights short of a Christmas tree?
(thanks for the movie, by the way)

Actually, you need to be hit more than twice to be "lights out,
charlie" (I'll let you know if its more than three next time it
happens!!!).

Have to concur with the "out and proud" theme - riding well out from
the gutter definitely lets people know you are there. BUT only
experience doing it will let you get over the feeling of maybe being
'out in the open', or 'being where you shouldn't" (I hope you all know
what I mean - flame-throwers away!!). Once you get the feel of it.
you'll realize that being 'inconvenient' to others, is actually much
safer!!

I usually just act like an attention-seeking fool (as opposed to
normally...!!) at busy intersections/roundabouts. Wave my hands madly
at the cars around me, nodding and making eye contact with all the
drivers, so that EVERYONE knows where I am going. That way, if they hit
me, it really is because they were aiming...!!

In the end, of course, there is no substitute for experience (and a few
bruises/abrasions!). Take your time, build up as you feel comfortable,
and most of all - never stop enjoying your ride!!
Cheers,
Absent Husband

"Huw" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

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I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

I could argue with you on that one ;-)

You mean you're not really a few lights short of a Christmas tree?
(thanks for the movie, by the way)

No, just my name's not Charlie :-P
(hippy's can sometimes bounce off cars and live, that's all..)

hippy

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> I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

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I could argue with you on that one ;-)

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You mean you're not really a few lights short of a Christmas tree?

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No, just my name's not Charlie :-P

Fair enough...

Off for a ride - see ya

Graeme said:

"Darren" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by
inches. It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to
kill one.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

to run you over. Sure, you may get the occassional numpty who shouts at
you for making him 10 seconds late, but that's usually the sort of
driver who would arrogantly scream past you leaving an inch gap. I'd
rather have that sort shouting at me than side swiping me. Even the huge
trucks sit fairly patiently behind me until they can pull out (or I can
safely move over) and overtake.

Graeme

And remember that if they're honking and yelling at you, it's probably a
good mate you haven't seen in a while, so make sure that you give 'em a
big smile and a wave as they go past. *Evil laugh*

T

"Darren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, I have no confidence in riding in traffic, how do you guys do it ?

My "rules" are:

1) know when to "take the lane" - riding far enough out into the lane hat
cars have to make a BIG deviation to go past you rather than trying to slip
by in the same lane

2) keep your speed up - if you can be on 40kph or so in traffic through the
city then it's much less intimidating

3) get used to being able to ride straight and steady whilst looking behind
you - it makes it very hard if everytime you have a backwards peek to find a
gap to change lanes then you swerve or drift into the kerb or the traffic

4) assume every single car door will open at the worst time and to the
fullest extent

5) avoid riding beside a car that's moving, any further back than the front
door. Stay either in front of the front door, or clear behind the car.

6) concentrate like every ride is a race.

7) make eye contact with drivers at every possible opportunity. If they make
eye contact, they'll feel worse about running over you.

Cheers
David M

"Darren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, I have no confidence in riding in traffic, how do you guys do it ?

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by inches.
It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard to kill one.

Any tricks on building confidence ?
I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

A bunch ride might be more safer, but I ride alone, and I am an easier
target I feel.

I feel nervous to approach a roundabout, I feel nervous when I try to make

a

Quoted message said:

right or left turn at a busy intersection.

I love my riding, and its a shame I lack the confidence, or maybe I am
scared of dying or being seriously injured.

Dazza

I am in the same situation, especially having chosen to ride11km plus to my
work in busy St. Kilda Road Melbourne, in peak hour traffic. I reckon I have
about 3 or four close shaves a trip.

It's simple - you gotta be prepared to die. I can't go wrong - if I get
killed, my family gets my super.... then I'll be up there (hopefully)
admiring the traffic down below....

Henry.

Little bit melodramatic don't you think. It isn't that bad as long as you
take care. I figure I have as more chance being killed if I drive.

Learn to read the traffic and minimise your risk.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am in the same situation, especially having chosen to ride11km plus to
my
work in busy St. Kilda Road Melbourne, in peak hour traffic. I reckon I
have
about 3 or four close shaves a trip.

It's simple - you gotta be prepared to die. I can't go wrong - if I get
killed, my family gets my super.... then I'll be up there (hopefully)
admiring the traffic down below....

Henry.

Thanks Guys and Gals, I feel safer now... I think
"Bob Mc Corkle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Little bit melodramatic don't you think. It isn't that bad as long as you
take care. I figure I have as more chance being killed if I drive.

Learn to read the traffic and minimise your risk.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am in the same situation, especially having chosen to ride11km plus to
my
work in busy St. Kilda Road Melbourne, in peak hour traffic. I reckon I
have
about 3 or four close shaves a trip.

It's simple - you gotta be prepared to die. I can't go wrong - if I get
killed, my family gets my super.... then I'll be up there (hopefully)
admiring the traffic down below....

Henry.

Darren said:

Thanks Guys and Gals, I feel safer now... I think

Try a helmet mirror (disclaimer, I never have but they are the most obtainable flat mirrors).

Mirrors let you ride wide in comfort to convince the cars to go around, and flat mirrors let you accurately judge when they're not going to.

"Tamyka Bell" <[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

confidence problem, work on it. I still get stressed sometimes about
clipping in when there's rednecks revving around me, and I always stuff
it up. If I tell myself it doesn't matter, then I get it right.

Don't worry.. they appreciate the extra perve time..

I get more stressed when other 'riders' are around. I
hate riding 30m down the road, pedaling with one
leg, because I can't get the other.. bloody.. pedal around
the right way to.. bloody... clip.. in.. there! got it.

hippy

Darren said:

Thanks Guys and Gals, I feel safer now... I think
"Bob Mc Corkle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Little bit melodramatic don't you think. It isn't that bad as long as you
take care. I figure I have as more chance being killed if I drive.

Learn to read the traffic and minimise your risk.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I am in the same situation, especially having chosen to ride11km plus to
my
work in busy St. Kilda Road Melbourne, in peak hour traffic. I reckon I
have
about 3 or four close shaves a trip.

It's simple - you gotta be prepared to die. I can't go wrong - if I get
killed, my family gets my super.... then I'll be up there (hopefully)
admiring the traffic down below....

Henry.

One more point that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Riders being hit from behind constitute a very small percentage of bike/car accidents. If you're immediately in front of a car, you're highly visible. Definitely don't hide in the gutter though.

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>> "hippy" == hippy <[email hidden]> writes:

hippy> I get more stressed when other 'riders' are around. I hate
hippy> riding 30m down the road, pedaling with one leg, because I
hippy> can't get the other.. bloody.. pedal around the right way
hippy> to.. bloody... clip.. in.. there! got it.

Getting overtaken by a bunch is pretty much what freaks me out the most,
mainly because I have zero bunch riding skills (never done it) and zero
clue as to the etiquette. Basically I ride as straight as possible
until it's all over, then start breathing again.

Last thing I want is to bring down a bunch of very nice bikes (and their
riders).
--
Cheers
Euan

Darren said:

Hi, I have no confidence in riding in traffic, how do you guys do it ?

I mean every time I ride in traffic, cars, and trucks miss me by
inches. It seems that everybody hates a cyclist, and is trying hard
to kill one.

Any tricks on building confidence ?
I mean, you only have to get hit once, and its lights out charlie.

A bunch ride might be more safer, but I ride alone, and I am an easier
target I feel.

I feel nervous to approach a roundabout, I feel nervous when I try to
make a right or left turn at a busy intersection.

I love my riding, and its a shame I lack the confidence, or maybe I am
scared of dying or being seriously injured.

Dazza

Here's some more info...

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/chapter2a.htm