Self help cycle improvements
I read Keith Way's article about his favourite horror stories of hassles of cycling in Bristol, (in the last issue) with great interest.
I'd like to offer some solutions to some of the issues he raised, that we cyclists can use right now, without the need for haranguing planners, holding demonstrations or campaigning as a mass movement. Not that I am against any of that, but I'd like to offer a few ideas on what we cyclists can do ourselves to improve our journeys on the roads of Bristol.
I work as a cycle trainer and as I cycle round Bristol I am struck not only by the poor driving skills and mindsets of some drivers, but also by the poor road skills and lack of observation of a large proportion of cyclists. Some are so scared of cycling on the road that they take to the pavements....
We wouldn't dream of learning how to control a car on quiet backstreets or car parks and then going straight into driving in urban traffic conditions without any further instruction. But that is how many cyclists proceed, and then understandably wonder why they get such a hard time from other road users.
Here are my takes on some of Keith's points, and other frequently voiced complaints.
They are all based on the principle that if you can be seen by a driver, you are unlikely to be hit or run over. And as drivers, like the rest of us, are interested in self-preservation, where are they most likely to spend most of their time looking? Probably where they expect to see other vehicles! This, in my experience does not include the gutter or hidden between parked cars. So if you give them enough warning and ride where they can see you, you are safer than suddenly appearing unexpectedly from somewhere over to the left of where they are mostly looking.
Cycle lanes on the roads just disappearing
So the cycle lane disappears. You will either be ready for this because you know the road, or you could be looking far enough ahead to see when it ends. If it ends with parked cars or other obstruction, get out of it early. Look behind early and move into the stream of traffic when safe. If it just stops, why not continue with your very own virtual cycle lane - your safe space away from the kerb or parked cars, which forces drivers behind you to overtake properly rather than squeeze past.
Getting round parked cars
Look behind early and move out early and cycle straight past the parked vehicles in the stream of traffic, as above. This also keeps you away from carelessly opened doors. If you watch you'll probably find that the stream of traffic rarely goes anywhere near the doors of a parked car.
Getting through pinch points (narrowing of road)
Remarkably similar to a parked car. Look behind early and move out when safe to cycle in a straight line through the middle of the pinch point. There isn't enough room for you and another vehicle, so don't let them think there is even a chance of it. If they can't overtake, then they can't overtake. You are the vehicle in front and they are vehicle behind, until you are through the pinch point.
Spaces between parked cars
I've looked and looked, but I just can't see where the cycle magnets are in these spaces. But wherever I am I see cyclists disappearing between parked cars as if pulled in by powerful forces. It may feel safer to be near the kerb and away from the traffic, but the only problem is that you are suddenly lost to radar. Drivers can't see you, until you suddenly appear trying to come back into the stream of traffic, often as not without looking. Why not just stay out, stay seen and stay in a straight line?
All this could be seen as common sense, allied with the sort of skills one hopes no driver would dream of being without - the ability to see clearly behind and judge the speed of any following vehicles, and proper control of the vehicle while carrying out signalling, manoeuvring and all round observation.
I, like Keith, have been a cyclist for many many years. I used to rail at drivers who 'cut me up' and squeezed past me. But since being trained as a cycle instructor (by Life Cycle UK) this hardly ever happens and when it does it's usually because I am not thinking ahead. I realised that it is in my hands to strongly influence the behaviour of the driver behind, and it's this paradigm shift that has made cycling around easier, safer, calmer and quicker than it used to be.
Are you sure you are cycling in the safest, most effective way? Why not find out by booking a training session with Life Cycle UK, the local cycle promotion charity.
Oh and cycle parking - they give Sheffield racks out free to other charities/ not for profit businesses/health centres etc. And again, this can be up to you. If you know somewhere that would benefit from cycle racks, either tell them to get in touch with Life Cycle, or ask Life Cycle to post them a flyer.
For more information please contact:
Life Cycle UK86 Colston Street
Bristol BS1 5BB
Tel: 0117 929 0440
email: post@lifecycleuk.org.uk
website: www.lifecycleuk.org.uk
Also, try and get hold of John Franklin's book 'Cyclecraft for Adults'. Published by HMSO (i.e. the Government), but apparently currently out of print. Lots of people asking for it may make the blinkered bureaucrats of HMSO think again.
(Web Ed.: When available the book is available from the TSO (the privatised HMSO) at http://www.tso.co.uk. The Henleaze and Fishponds libraries seem to have copies of the old edition).
Veronica Pollard
