Safe cycling: a guide
Safe cycling: A guide
Avoid lorries
Never wait between the kerb and a lorry at a junction. If the lorry turns left, the driver may not see you. Stay well behind or, preferably, in front, where you can be seen.
Stay clear of the kerb
The kerb is not your friend. Ride clear of it so that drivers steer around you. Hugging the pavement invites them to try and scrape past.
Show your face
Looking at drivers at junctions helps them to view you as a fellow road user they would rather not run over. Do the same to vehicles on your tail.
Use your neck
Learn how to look over your shoulder without wobbling and do so regularly – particularly before making a manoeuvre, when you should also stick out an arm.
Obey the code
Some may argue that it is safer, say, to jump a red light than wait in a lorry's shadow but egregious violations endanger you and harm the image of cyclists.
Overtake buses
If you're approaching a bus at a stop, look over your shoulder, and move to overtake. If you can't, wait behind the bus. Never undertake.
Be bright
It's more important to show your face and position yourself well, but bright clothing, strong lights and reflectors will help you get noticed.
Plan your route
It stands to reason that you're probably more vulnerable in three lanes of traffic doing 40mph than on a residential side street.
Find a friend
If you're a new or lapsed cyclist, venture out with a more experienced friend. Keep a good distance behind and watch. Then let them follow you and take their advice.
These tips are taken from The Independent. For the full article, please go to - The 'ghost bike' revolt: Families demand action on cyclist deaths
