Riding Safely on the Roads

MTB4ME

MTB4ME

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hey, im a newbie rider who has only recently bought a xc mountain bike, anyways on my travels to my local trails i have to ride on the road for a fair distance and i always have trouble getting through intersections, traffic lights and other difficult situations on the road...
This is bad because of a few bad experiences i have developed a fear because of a few confusing situations with busy traffic condittions. Im not sure how to ride on the road. Any tips ?
 
Pretend you're driving a car with an engine of a push bike :)

Just be clear of your intentions and ride to protect yourself. Most of the time things should be ok and mellow going once you get used to it and the roads you ride.

I have to admit that crossing lanes to take a right hand turn on busy roads and also not being able to keep up with traffic can be a bit of a problem.

On the whole though, it's easiest to avoid and simply use inside streets and if you aren't in a rush then shared paths where available.

Most importantly, sometimes its good to step back and realise that the traffic laws concerning bikes sometimes aren't always sensible and to responsibly decide for yourself whats best to do given the situation...
 
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bipyjamas said:
I have to admit that crossing lanes to take a right hand turn on busy roads and also not being able to keep up with traffic can be a bit of a problem.

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Don't even bother doing that. If your by yourself just ride in the left lane and do a hook turn sure you wait at lights more often, but its a hell of lot more safe.
 
The biggest thing ive found is you cant trust any drivers.
THere has been numerous times on my commute to and from work where ive been coming through a round about or a T intersection where i have right of way, the driver has looked at me directly in the eyes and waited there like they are going to let me go past, then shot out in front of me.
The same thing happens with pedestrians crossing the road.

As said before, some of the road rules for bicycles are very hard to obey in an everyday situation, so do what you can to be SAFE first and foremost.
 
rhysrhysbaby said:
The biggest thing ive found is you cant trust any drivers.
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How very true!

Aside from the good recommendations above I would also like to add that when you are riding in the left (slow) lane you should ride at least 1m from the kerb, that way there is no room for a car to try and squeeze past you in the same lane. I've had that happen to me several times and sometimes they can nearly knock you of the bike, so I just ride closer to the middle of the lane, and then they overtake me like they would any other car.

As for intersections.... use the pedestrian crossings, it takes longer to wait (especially when you have to use more than one set of lights), but at least you won't have to cross lines traffic.
 
dougmcdoug said:
Don't even bother doing that. If your by yourself just ride in the left lane and do a hook turn sure you wait at lights more often, but its a hell of lot more safe.
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That'll probably work around Melbourne because you're all used to it with trams and such, but I don't know what to expect if one was attempted outside of Melbourne :confused:

Never seen anyone do a hook turn here in Sydney :)
 
A hook turn is the easiest thing in the world if you need to turn right and your in the left lane(which you should be riding your bike) when you get the intersection you just pull up infront of the cars going the way you want to (to the right) and just for the lights to turn green. That way there is no excuse of oh i didn't see you.
 
After being hit two times doing hook turns and once going while going straight (the driver that hit me was actually in a turn right lane and he just went straight) I just get off and wait for the lights. I mainly avoid main roads though, I find them too dangerous. I think I've been pretty lucky with regards to staying upright after taking knocks.
 
firstly its important to learn what your rights and the road rules, just pick up a book from your local *insert name of NSW equivalent of vicroads* its not that tedious and you'll have to read it one day if you want to drive a car or ride a motorbike.

i find it's important to hold your ground once on the streets, you've got to let those tinned sheep know that your entitled to your bit of the road and your riding within the law, also it's just as important to know when to step down when you get joe hot head in his 4wd who thinks you slowing for a turn will make him 2 seconds late for nothing important. remember your the underdog.
 
dont assume anyone can see you even when they look you dead in the eye

hold a predictable line eg dont duck back to the gutter between parked cars

take up a full lane when you need to eg through roundabouts

expect abuse/projectiles from motorists
 
I agree with almost everything said above.
Except that taking up too much of the lane will really piss off Canberra drivers.
Asking for advice here is great, but local knowledge is better.
You might need to chat to people who regularly ride in the Newcastle area

I try to remember the following:
- Ride to protect yourself (you are the least protected and most vulnerable road-user);
- Ride in a way appropriate to your local conditions (as mentioned above);
- Be aware that you may be abused (I have had almost everything from verbal abuse to glass bottles and firecrackers thrown at me);
- Do not expect drivers to treat you with respect;
- Do not expect other road-users to know the road-rules; and
- Take quieter roads, whereever possible.

Hope this is helpful and hasn't made you more wary of road-riding.
 
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I find in my commute a lot of safety is about anticipating other road users (drivers, pedestrians, and other bike riders) moves. If you can anticipate what they're going to do you might save yourself a couple of of seconds when it comes to taking evasive action.

keep your cool and it will be a much more pleasant experience.

make sure everyone can see you. that has also helped me alot.
 
thanks all. I know the road rules quite well since i am a motorist myself but as was said from a few people other people the average motorist does not give the cyclist any space or respect especially when the the cyclist wants to turn right.

Its alot safer riding down f*^k off hills with pointy jaggered rocks at the bottom then riding down a short stretch of flat road to the shop :(.

sticking to the quiet roads sounds like the best solution...
 
workmx said:
- Be aware that you may be abused (I have had almost everything from verbal abuse to glass bottles and firecrackers thrown at me);
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thats gold, firecrakers :eek: . i would of been pretty pissed if some numpty threw a fire cracker at me.

Speaking of things been throw at cyclists... i have been on the recieving end of a cyclist. I lived at forster tuncurry for a while and i was walking to my mates house, at the time the big triathalon thing was on and an old man threw a water bottle at me :(
 
Yeah, fireworks - but what can you expect in Canberra!
I have had only four bad incidents in 18 years of riding.
That is not too bad.
 
A few tips from me:
The more you can match the speed of traffic, the less abuse you'll catch.
Be VERY vigilante and LOOK around you all the time. Be aware of what's going on.
Do not trust motorists (most are probably ok, but making a mistake with one may kill you).
And this works for me... a good defense is a strong offense. Ride aggressively, powerfully, and without taking unnecessary risks, do what you can to get to your destination ASAP. Motorists will be happy to get you off the road, and you'll be safer when you're off it as well.

Good luck.
 
Ipods will fcuk you over !
Motobikes often pass you in your lane and you can never hear them coming till 2 feet away if your listening to your ipod.

Dont do MP3's in traffic ! ( learnt from experience )
 
Very few drivers will deliberate try to kill you. They'll only hit you when they don't see you (typically at intersections) or try to pass you when they think there is enough room but there isn't.

So try to be as visible as you can and one of the best ways to be visible is to get in the way. Don't ride in the gutter, stay about a metre from the curb. When passing parked cars give them enough room to open their drivers doors because they often do. If you're in a narrow lane and there is no room for a car to overtake then occupy the lane and force the driver to wait. Let them pass as soon as it's safe to do so. They may hate you and abuse you but at least they won't try to squeeze past you and force you off the road.
 
Don't forget that the footpath is always there. It is illegal, but I would rather be hit with a fine than a car!

Of course, if there are lots of people around, it would be better to walk your bike on the footpath.
 
Expect everyone to do the stupid things that some will do and know what your plan of action against it is before getting in a situation where you will always come off second best.
 
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