Let them have a look at The Netherlands. Biking is here so normal, that making a video on this topic seems strange. Kids from 4-5 years old are able to ride with a bike (accompanied by parents/adults) in the city. When a car driver has a accident with a cyclist, he is always guilty by law. (Even the cyclist made a mistake). Therefore, car drivers are very carefull whrb cyclist are around (and they are everywhere). And yes, we have separate bikelanes on all major roads. Inside and outside residential areas.
Agreed, though if you can take your right of way safely, do it. Just make sure to leave yourself room to brake, etc, in case the driver doesn't see you, or doesn't properly follow the rules.
Sometimes,, i signal to drivers im going straight and also where exactly i plan to lay my line with a hand gesture similar to rhe drill sergent onnfull metal jacket: all five and an eye ball pointed at the line
Just watched this video after getting back into riding from a couple of years off the saddle. Super important to also call out that it's okay to dismount and take a cross walk if that's the safest path. Sitting in a turn lane just so you can get a quick start caused one of my mates to have a inattentive driver slam into him in a busy intersection, even though he took the full lane and had the right of way! Sometimes it's just better to hop off the bike, hit a crosswalk button, cross on foot, then safely re-mount and ride off afterwards.
(from a rider who has been riding in cities for over 30 years) The best bit of advice I can give is to 1) Be Predictable 2) Assume that cars/drivers either can not, do not, or do not want to see you. Assuming they see you will get you hit.
only thing I could really add is to look at drivers of cars etc., make eye contact/make sure they have seen you. Also, don't ever assume they saw you, make sure they have seen you and if neccesary slowed down, also don't be afraid to stop or re-route when it's not safe. Lastly: claim your spot on the road, ride about 1 metre away from the gutter, that way they can't overtake you and you are more easily seen. Enjoy your bike rides everyone!!
Exactly what I would have written and the only thing to add is don't take the high ground, even though you're in the right most likely, make sure you back off and be here to ride another day, doesn't matter who's right of way it is, not really.
Eye contact is great for getting drivers to see you. Another tip is if you can't get eye contact of someone waiting to pull out of a junction, watch the front wheel of the car/van. You'll see it start to turn if the driver starts to pull out
Hank: "Equip your bike with front and rear lights... and its a good idea to leave them on your bike so you'll never forget them and... think about adding a bell to your bike too" All said with a straight face whilst next to his Canyon Grail with no lights or bell attached... 😁
@@weldonyoung1013"easy to remove" = "good anti-theft design" Leaving them attached at all times doesn't mean leaving them attached when locked up in public. It means it means leaving the lights attached when the bike is being ridden or is stored somewhere secure.
as someone who earns a living driving a 3 1/2 tonne van through a busy city .. i totally agree with ' don't go up the inside of large vehicles ' .. the amount of times i'm watching a cyclist come up the inside then vanish & not be seen clearly in the blind-spot mirror is scary
The best advice I received years ago is, "Don't be dead right!" Sure, you have the right-away and the driver is jerk, but flesh and bone will never win against a couple of tons of steel.
Best advice I was given was look at the vehicle front wheel when it is at a side junction to pull out onto the road you are travelling along. Often it is difficult to tell if the vehicle itself is moving out but very easy to see if front wheel is turning forward. Has saved me a couple of times.
Definitely a good idea to ride in a position that makes motorists think before overtaking. A position that reminds them are overtaking and not just squeezing past an inanimate obstacle (like they might squeeze past a parked car). Riding a good distance from the kerb will also make you more visible to anyone emerging from a junction on the left (in countries that drive on the left). It will also give you more time to react when pedestrians step into the road with looking or warning.
Being confident on the road, for example by taking up a lane when it's needed, makes you safer because you get seen by drivers. This in turn makes you more confident :D
Commuted through london for 5 years, always ride positive and be assertive. Own your space and be clear what you're doing. Don't ride too close to the kerb and make sure you're out a bit when passing joining junctions and look for where the driver is looking.
My tips. 1. Have your head on a swivel, so you know where others are around you (vehicles and other bikes). 2. Be wary of parked cars... and give them a wide berth. You don't know if someone is ready to open a door and nail you. 3. Ride with plenty of room between you and the curb. It gives you a bail if you need to move right (or left in GB) and the extra space will often force traffic behind to move over and give you more room, instead of trying to stay fully in their lane and give you a brush. 4. Eye contact. Never assume a stopped car will wait for you to pass. Look directly at the driver and even from a long distance you can get eye contact. That way you know they see you. Even then never assume. 5. Share the road. If you're waiting for a light... hug the curb to allow vehicles to turn past you. Let reluctant drivers know they can turn. In other words, be polite. 6. I always tell drivers, "never underestimate the speed of a bike". I always tell riders, "motorists will underestimate the speed of your bike". 7. Obey the road rules... cyclist hatred is often misdirected, but much is deserved because of bad riders. All the best and stay safe.
I find that after being right-hooked a few times (driver turning right in front of you without signaling and forcing you hard on the brakes or hitting their car - probably left-hooked in the UK) I find it VERY valuable to look at a car's front tire whenever I am starting to overtake a car when they have the possibility of turning. Especially where I live in the Boston area, a significant number of drivers don't signal their turns and the first indication that they are turning is a slight movement of the front wheel. Also, when you are coming up on a person at a crossroads waiting to cross in front of you, move out more towards the middle of the road if it is safe to do so. Lots of cars are not looking for cyclists at the side of the road, but you will be more visible closer to the middle of the lane. Keep the wheels right side up and stay safe! :)
I've been commuting for over 30 years. I have no broken bones to show for it. I do everything that Hank mentioned in the video. I'm only mentioning this in case people think getting hurt is a necessary part of bicycle commuting, it isn't for those of us that don't mind dialling back the aggro.
@@newttella1043 Exactly, I've never had a incident with a car because I'm always on the lookout and ride accordingly. I've also been riding motorbikes and pretty much the same applies. Ride defensively. Or ride like an asshole and be full of metal.
Great points. I am a denizen of Manhattan. The only thing I would add is...use vocal signals as well. "Coming through" or "heads up" can make pedestrians aware that you are coming. A bell can be a bit too subtle. Also when commuting it is polite to let other bikers you are on their tail and passing by giving a non-aggressive "passing on your left".
Really good video, be predictable is great advice! So true. After cycling in London for 15yrs best advice is don't get angry at the (many) potential bad drivers, wayward pedestrians etc, it just stresses you out & takes all enjoyment out of cycling
I cycle to and from work,I wear a high viz jacket and sometimes lit up like a Christmas tree and even then I am not seen by other drivers or they overtake me and then they turn left !!(I live in the UK).But ever since I put a big scary sports cam on my helmet.... all of sudden drivers now see me , probably out of fear of being recorded and reported for any offences.Happy cycling everyone.
Thank you for the video, I commute to work every day in South UK. In the summer due to the steep hills and hot weather, I always arrive to work sweaty, does not matter what I wear, not a great feeling. Like your handlebar, interesting.
It was my first time on the road, as well as my first crash on that same day. It's a light one, but slightly traumatized. So yeah, story telling. My country got these tricycles (motorcycle with a sidecar) that's a form of commute similar to a bus with a fixed route. It was the first time for me to go street riding, so my buddy was with me to guide me, then suddenly a tricycle cut us in an intersection and I was behind. My friend hit a full stop right away, but I didn't get the cue in time, so swerved to the right. I successfully avoided my friend but my front wheel's spokes caught the drops of my mate, tangling our bikes together and crashing both of us. Luckily, the street wasn't busy at the time, and it was an uphill, making vehicles slower.
As a daily NYC rider the two things I always have on my bikes are a loud bell and a rear view mirror ! I would not ride around the block without a mirror.Taking your eyes off whats in front of you for even a second could mean death in this city!
Good advice all-around. One thing I'd add on the positioning thing, is that if the bike lane has a parking lane beside it, always ride far enough out that you're clear of doors, even if that means riding at the outer edge, or taking a lane. Also, If you need to take a lane, and there's a parking lane at the curb, hold your lane, even when there's long gaps in the parking lane. If you move over into the gaps in the parking lane, you probably won't get a gap to get smoothly back into traffic, and you'll have to stop and wait, and likely will disrupt traffic even more than if you had just stayed in your lane. (obvious exceptions being if you want to pull over to let people pass on a steep hill that you're going to be crawling over, etc.) And assume that everyone is going to do the wrong thing. That driver's probably not going to stop before they turn. They're probably not going to look for bikes before they stop in the bike lane when leaving an alley, etc. Don't risk getting hit just because it's your turn. Take your right of way if you can do it safely, but if someone's driving like an ass and you get hit, it's not going to matter who's in the wrong.
Always ride outside of the "door zone" of parked cars, outside the area their door could swing into. Getting "doored" is number two on the list of how bicyclists get killed here in America, close behind number one which is getting run over from behind.
Great advice that we need more of. Most journeys people make can be done by bicycle. A quick nip to the takeaway our even for the weekly shop can be done by bike. Unfortunately, most lycra wearing cyclists prefer to take the car, but I hope they watch this and rethink - cycling is not just about fitness its a way of life and green transportation. Great tips for the everyday urban cyclist.
Hello, great set of advices! However, I believe you’ve missed mentioning a safety device without which I would not dare ride where I do...The rear view mirror! I ride 16 miles (26 Km) at least 6 days a week in one of the most dangerous routes in Miami, Fl: round trip on SW 8 Street between the 74 Avenue and 152 Avenue. For those unfamiliar with the area, that part of SW 8 Street has three to four lanes in each direction with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. About half of that route has a designated bike lane. On the other half, you’re on your own...To be frank, most drivers are respectful of most of the rules and try to give you as wide a berth as traffic allows. Yet, there are drivers that just speed by (going way over the speed limit, I might add) barely half a foot from your body. Trust me, nothing will get your adrenaline running like having an eighteen wheeler (lorry, for my Brit friends) pass by you at half a foot from your body whilst going over 50 mph! And this is one of the reasons why I’ve found a rear view mirror (I prefer those attached to the helmet) to literally be a life saver! I’ve trained myself to constantly glance into the rear view mirror and in doing so I’m able to predict which drivers (especially the big trucks) will at least partially move onto the next lane and those who won’t. If a driver stays in my lane up to a couple of hundred yards before reaching me, it’s a safe bet he will almost brush against me. Sometimes, depending on the condition of the road (as a good part of the route I have a metal barrier next to me) I’ll try to get as close to the gutter as possible. Other times I just have to keep pedaling and hope it’s not my last ride...Another important use for the rear view mirror when riding in heavy city traffic is that you don’t need to turn your head (and possibly lose your balance) to see what traffic is approaching you from behind. I realize that many of you don’t ride frequently surrounded by troglodytes as I do, but for those who do, I advise getting a good rear view mirror.
Great tips Hank. I would add a mirror. Anything that aids your vision in heavy traffic is handy. Seeing what's coming up from behind whist still watching what's happening in front of you can avoid accidents.
Interesting - having ridden around cities all my life I would add 3 thoughts. One would be try and be aware of what is behind you as much as what is in front of you. This can be partially achieved by actively listening (dont wear headphones) and just being aware of noisey mopeds/trucks/cabs etc behind you. Secondly, I would challenge the look, signal, manoeurve advice - it makes sense but especially when turning right (in the UK), just put your hand out to signal, give it a moment and then look behind (you always wobble a bit when looking behind properly and it is better just to give an initial signal). Thirdly - it is relaxing but dont over-relax, be massively alert, I dont find it really zens me out riding around a city, you can do that once you get there - stay superaware. Final thought - started using single speed around cities 10 years ago - they are the best (apart from hills) because they stop you racing, they are simple to maintain and it is one less thing to think about
I'd recommend pulling over to allow large vehicles to pass on single lane roads it saves everyone alot of trouble. As well as always looking when passing through junctions especially if you have right of way
Wow. Very good advice for cycling in cities. I'm really pleased you mentioned about blind spots as I'm not just a keen cyclists but also an ex lorry driver and it is a big problem.
One of the most important aspects in my opinion is cautious driving. Despite going at a reasonably high speed I usually stop or reduce pedalling when going close to another road user, break in advance if there are small kids, dogs or other unpredictable things close to my path and generally have my fingers at the brakes more often than not.
Great advice. A little extra one for all cyclists on all roads, city, town or country. Every time one of us shows a driver that we are friendly, courteous, competent and sensible, we have another driver more ready to get along with us. For example, on just one roundabout on a regular ride, I found that by approaching in the correct lane, clearly signalling my intentions, being clearly visible etc, I was never once denied my right of way, including b double semis, buses etc. I would add that we need to be always ready with plan B just in case, and to ensure you have eye contact with the driver. Finally, always acknowledge with a friendly wave.
Personally I'd add don't ride with headphones on or earpieces in; keeping yourself as aware as possible of your surroundings and any other road user or potential entrant to your space is critical to giving yourself a chance of avoiding hazardous situations. As others have noted being in the right is of little consolation if you end up hurt (or worse). Limit your interaction with devices limited to the occasional peek at your cycling computer.
I've never really had a problem with that, but I also don't crank them up to drown out traffic. When I'm near a busy street, I won't even hear my music over the noise, but it's nice when I get out in the quieter stretches to have some music going. A lot of people regularly listen to their headphones pretty loud, though, so that seems like a bad idea.
great video, Hank ! I am doing a free clinic for the adults and kids in my neighbourhood, and plan on the same approach. a lot of adults who buy department store bikes have no idea how te gears work. you would be surprised ! i want to help !
Good topic! Another tip is knowing the "Rules of the Road" from where you live...It can also greatly help to have a drivers license with some experience...It may very well help you to better read the behavior of drivers in their vehicles; and understand how they operate in certain areas/situations.👊👊 Like @JorenVandaele mentioned making eye contact with drivers and claiming your spot on the road is also an amazing tip☝️ its something you can learn on your own but never really taught👌👌
Thanks to this video ,it help me get over my fear of riding in a very congested city and helped me a lot in riding in traffic. This video is life changer for me everything covered clearly. Kudos to the each and everyone involved in creation of this video ❤
I used to think that simply banning Audi & BMWs would solve 90% of the incompetent driving problems. And then I realised that they would just go and drive other brands. So be grateful these sexual inadequates advertise themselves.
I commuted to school and eventually to work by bicycle but I've never been what you call a cyclist. I'm tall, with a medium to muscular build (depending on whether I'm training for an upcoming judo tournament) and when I ride for exercise, I just wear a soccer jersey or a tank top...maybe with some running shorts or Eddie Bauer Guide Pants. I've never worn the whole lycra kit but I'm no less enthusiastic about riding. I feel great after commuting by bike! One to I never hear from vids about commuting however is to take a break every few days and just take the subway or bus in for a week. Give the body time to heal itself from the paces you put it through. It's good for the mind too, to remind yourself and everyone else you're not just the office sweatshog/bike fanatic. You can Rick some trendy clothes and shoes to work as well...sometimes. You can join colleagues for a night out at the pub after work like everyone else without thinking about where to safely lock up your trusty steed. Maybe most importantly, if you happen to be single especially, show off that body you've sculpted after those weeks cycling in, eating right and getting enough water and rest. Put that new pair of jeans or one-size-smaller button down to work. They'll stop thinking of it as child's play once they see what the commute has done for your figure. Then next week get back out there and ride. Enjoy both sides of the commute, though. The ride and its benefits!
You *do* need to know how to ride around other cyclists though. In the UK people are (understandably) focusing on motor traffic and pedestrians, but on busy cycle lanes and bike paths you see cyclists struggling with riding in proximity to each other...
Stay away from high curbstones. Years ago I rented a bike in Italy and hit a curb with my pedals when a car overtook me. I woke up in a hospital with just some bruises and some nasty abrasions. I learned to keep my cool and be more confident so all road users know you’re there if you know what I mean.
Nice encouragement. Although there no mention of locks (which GCN has covered in the past). Don’t be surprised if parts are stolen off of your bike. Lights are to take with you. But wheels and saddles may go for a walk.
Biking my main mode of transportation but I think I wouldn’t like to cycle in London or a big US city, because - yes you can take the lane, ride in traffic, filter etc. - but it’s just frightening getting passed close and exhausting to navigate through dense traffic. Berlin has terrible streets for cycling but there’s a dense enough network of streets with separated bike paths, okayish bike lanes, sidestreets, parks and cycle streets and although the city is too slow, the new cycling infrastructure is good
Another helpful piece of equipment is a helmet mirror. Before I mounted one on I would find myself drifting into the area where I turned my head to look. A must have!
Best advise for trucks and cars turning right: Always try and pull up in front of them, and even if it means crossing the stop line get a head so they can see you out their front window. If you have to wait behind them, don't pull out to the curb but stay in the middel, that way cars pulling up behind you can see you, accidents happens because motorist' forget that they have mirrors and a Atlanto-axial joint.
Some good advice in the video and comments I would add: keep developing your skills of “reading the traffic” Anticipating what other traffic is about to do never ends. Never assume another road user has seen you Dusk is dangerous time. It feels like full daylight, but without lights,cycles dissolve into the background. Bright yellow/green don’t help much when it gets dark, only real réflectives. With rain drivers visibility reduces, use lights. For regular commuting, especially in winter, consider mudguards and pannier bags are more comfortable than a backpack
Nice video with a lot of good advice :-) A few things though : - when you ride in a city, you are usually going somewhere... So you might have to carry things with you. If you don't want to wear a backpack, you might want to ride a city bike with saddles to carry your stuff. And you might want to add mudguards. - Also, if you ride in Flanders, always have a massive lock to attach your bike in the street. Everybody I know here already had at least one bike stolen (personally had 2 cheap mountain bike stolen despite a regular lock). And, of course, avoid riding a super expensive bike (no fancy Canyon) if you are going to attach it in the street, even for a few hours. And do not leave your lights on if they can easily be taken.
Great video. I'm looking for tips that I don't think of- obviously, and this vid has lots of them. The style of the video is pretty cool as well and attractive- is that the right word?? You know what I mean lol. I'm off now to watch a few more similar as I am accident prone. Great vid. Liked and subbed.
A schmidt dynamo is extremely handy to have on the front. Couple that with a USB connector, and you can power a front light and/or charge your garmin/phone as needed.
I love this video, never ride before and nevertheless on a city, I am so so scared! I hope I will remember all of this, I feel a tiny bit more confident 🥰
Good one Hank. I do love Bath. (You were there weren't you?) Another tip could be, if you are riding a geared bike, is anticipate gear changes especially if you know you are coming up to a junction where. you will stop. Change down to make the restart much easier.
I see Hank also rode on flat pedals and in trainers. He didn't mention this but if you are new to commuting in London then I'd recommend it. It definitely helps you to relax if you are not 100% confident with Spd/Spd SL.
I'm scared as hell still to ride on highways with cars at 100 mph. You never know when one of those ignorant drivers decide you just don't exist and make a dangerous overtake
“Enjoy your commute” the one time I was in London cyclists seemed to be in a race 😝 guess they forgot to enjoy. But really, I admire how fast they go on their lane. The only scary thing is I was almost run over by one hahaha
I'm really nervous about riding a bike in the city because I wobble a lot on the bike and the only time I ever rode a bike was in quiet pedestrian roads, the local cemetery or laps around the table in my terrace lol. When I go back to London I hope your advice works. Cheers ❤
Rode once in NYC and I swore never to do so unless its the five boro tour, forty glorious miles closed to traffic and finishing over the Verrazano Bridge
I use the Knog Oi bells on my bikes. On my mountain bike and hybrid I use the small as the bell is by the brake lever. On my road bike I use the large as the bell in by the stem. In the centre of London. Lorries and vans have to have multiple cameras to cover the vehicle's blind spot. I assume buses and coaches have them as well. Yes the camera may see you in the blind spot. But is useless if the driver doesn't look at the screen. If you are able to get in front of a lorry at a junction. Leave a large gap between you and the lorry. This means the lorry driver stands a better chance of seeing you. I have had experience of this from both sides. 1) as a cyclist. 2) as a lorry driver. I did used to drive the smaller 7.5 lorries. I wasn't as high up as the large lorries. But the same about having a large gap still allies. Lorries even have mirrors on the passenger door and on the front looking down. To see if there is anyone they can't see.
"If you are able to get in front ofa lorry at a junction. Leave a large gap between...." Not sure if this was meant to be two sentences, but if you are in front of a lorry, it is worth remembering that on of the drivers largest blind spots is directly in front.
Decent casual advice, for riding in a city, that is in some country in Europe, I assume. High light in video was a bike rider looking behind them, if safe before making the move. Also being familiar with route partially is incredible for riding exercise and safety. I when I did ride a bicycle I would always give slight hand and arm motions to vehicles in the proximity when an option. Why? Simple it is slight communication to random vehicle that probably can't hear you if windows are up, but there eyes are open in theory since they are driving. Also don't be afraid to give a talking warnings to potential people coming up on current route when an option.
Hi GCN, I’m trying to get back into commuting to work but the road surfaces are awful! It can’t be just where I live (UK Midlands) but I haven’t heard it mentioned on GCN, despite watching loads of your vids. For me, this is a bigger danger than other road users. Why don’t you start a pothole of the week section in your weekly shows?
I'm a beginner city rider, and the biggest hazard I encountered so far are pedestrians who pop up at the last second from wherever you don't expect and they don't give a single fraction of attention to you because you are mostly a silent and small moving vehicle, especially at turns, now I admit I never used any sound/bells until now, but I think it's safer to start using those. Most importantly, I don't trust any pedestrian anymore and keep an eye on each one of them whenever I get close.
Nice one Hank.. been commuting a short while.. ditched the car during lockdown.. the best advice, like you mentioned, is to forget your carbon based racing self, take it easy and be mega alert.. give car drivers as few reasons as possible to show they're frustrations..! All the best.. 🚴👍🏻👊🏻✊🏻
zebra crossing also death traps when there right on a corner of a road move them a couple of yards more away from the corner then it a be safe .learnt the hard way the crossing still there not been fixed but easily can be
One of the biggest aggravations here is the "rumble strip, along the side of the road. They force me to ride out in the main traffic. Rumble strips make the bike feel like a jackhammer with a saddle.
I am fairly new to cycling and have definitely got the bug but I am very nervous about riding in busy traffic and in the town. A video for beginners which cover positioning in the road, roundabouts, tackling lines of traffic (do I stay put or cycle on up the line) and overtaking etc would be really helpful please. Busy traffic is a deterrent for cyclists who would like to commute (or even just go shopping) but are not sure what they should be doing. Apologies to the experienced cyclists for this request. Just a thought. Cheers :)
Rule of thumb with blinds spots is if you can see them in their mirror they cans see you. If not, you need to give them more space. Always a good idea to make eye contact before signaling to ensure people know what you're doing.
Good info. For what it’s worth , cycling in Seoul, South Korea requires quite a bit of defensive caution despite the drivers here generally being respectful.
i need a video for "how to convince my city to build a bike path so i can leave my house without getting on the 70mph highway"
Hell yeah that’s what I’m talking about!
One problem with bike lanes where I live is that there is no uniformity of design. This makes things unpredictable for both cyclists and driver's.
Let them have a look at The Netherlands. Biking is here so normal, that making a video on this topic seems strange. Kids from 4-5 years old are able to ride with a bike (accompanied by parents/adults) in the city. When a car driver has a accident with a cyclist, he is always guilty by law. (Even the cyclist made a mistake). Therefore, car drivers are very carefull whrb cyclist are around (and they are everywhere). And yes, we have separate bikelanes on all major roads. Inside and outside residential areas.
Cor Oskam the cities are very condensed though
Never gonna happen . Same is my case.
No matter how right you think you might be while riding in traffic, just remember the rule of mass. Everything out weighs you on the road!
Agreed, though if you can take your right of way safely, do it. Just make sure to leave yourself room to brake, etc, in case the driver doesn't see you, or doesn't properly follow the rules.
I would say that We develop a cyclist sense with time... Dont take any risks and make sure all your moves. Wear all time your helmet
It ISNOT a good idea to leave the lights on the bike. IKnow This is not your fault Hank(rather the ''writers'')
Sometimes,, i signal to drivers im going straight and also where exactly i plan to lay my line with a hand gesture similar to rhe drill sergent onnfull metal jacket: all five and an eye ball pointed at the line
I like the tip not to race but...
Its a good sugeation really
Just watched this video after getting back into riding from a couple of years off the saddle. Super important to also call out that it's okay to dismount and take a cross walk if that's the safest path. Sitting in a turn lane just so you can get a quick start caused one of my mates to have a inattentive driver slam into him in a busy intersection, even though he took the full lane and had the right of way! Sometimes it's just better to hop off the bike, hit a crosswalk button, cross on foot, then safely re-mount and ride off afterwards.
(from a rider who has been riding in cities for over 30 years) The best bit of advice I can give is to 1) Be Predictable 2) Assume that cars/drivers either can not, do not, or do not want to see you. Assuming they see you will get you hit.
Making eye contact and waving is a good way to turn drivers who "see" you before turning onto the road into drivers who stop before doing so.
Assume that car drivers see you, but ignore you =)
@@sydneydowd8969 A good way but not guaranteed :/
@@master8127 It's harder when they look you in the eyes I think. Makes you less cyclist more human.
@@jordanmiller42 no way is guaranteed unfortunately.
only thing I could really add is to look at drivers of cars etc., make eye contact/make sure they have seen you. Also, don't ever assume they saw you, make sure they have seen you and if neccesary slowed down, also don't be afraid to stop or re-route when it's not safe. Lastly: claim your spot on the road, ride about 1 metre away from the gutter, that way they can't overtake you and you are more easily seen. Enjoy your bike rides everyone!!
Exactly what I would have written and the only thing to add is don't take the high ground, even though you're in the right most likely, make sure you back off and be here to ride another day, doesn't matter who's right of way it is, not really.
Dave Young yes indeed, even if you have the right of way, don’t just take it, it’s better to be cautious
Eye contact is important, especially at intersections.
Talks about eye contact at 2:56. Then talks about claiming the road at 3:55. Did you watch the video?
Eye contact is great for getting drivers to see you. Another tip is if you can't get eye contact of someone waiting to pull out of a junction, watch the front wheel of the car/van. You'll see it start to turn if the driver starts to pull out
Hank:
"Equip your bike with front and rear lights... and its a good idea to leave them on your bike so you'll never forget them and... think about adding a bell to your bike too"
All said with a straight face whilst next to his Canyon Grail with no lights or bell attached... 😁
Nit with those handlebars. 😂
Frazer they probably got stolen cos he left them on there.
Having them stolen might be due to bad design! It is almost impossible to get good lights that bolt on and are not held on with 'rubber bands'.
Nahh, he qualifies to say that, he's got nylon flats on!
@@weldonyoung1013"easy to remove" = "good anti-theft design"
Leaving them attached at all times doesn't mean leaving them attached when locked up in public. It means it means leaving the lights attached when the bike is being ridden or is stored somewhere secure.
‘Be predictable’ is some of the best advice I have received (and given). Makes you so much safer on the road, whether solo or group riding
as someone who earns a living driving a 3 1/2 tonne van through a busy city .. i totally agree with ' don't go up the inside of large vehicles ' .. the amount of times i'm watching a cyclist come up the inside then vanish & not be seen clearly in the blind-spot mirror is scary
Thank you for being careful and understanding! 🙂
That's creepy
The best advice I received years ago is, "Don't be dead right!" Sure, you have the right-away and the driver is jerk, but flesh and bone will never win against a couple of tons of steel.
I'll never forget my dad gesturing toward a graveyard and saying to me "Those things are full of cyclists who had the right of way."
@@Bungle2010 just let them do it better they go first and you higher your fist to show that it isn't okey and maybe they will reflect on it
I have another advice: Prepare your route with anticipation and choose "secure" street without too many vehicles. Ride with a moderate speed.
Great tip, Using side roads is a great idea 🙌
Best advice I was given was look at the vehicle front wheel when it is at a side junction to pull out onto the road you are travelling along. Often it is difficult to tell if the vehicle itself is moving out but very easy to see if front wheel is turning forward. Has saved me a couple of times.
When sharing roads with cars, take up space on the road, don't ride close to the edge. That way you force cars to pass you more carefully.
Good tip. I noticed drivers are scared asf going beside a cyclist 🚴♀️ they start to panic and ride right pass you quickly.
Definitely a good idea to ride in a position that makes motorists think before overtaking. A position that reminds them are overtaking and not just squeezing past an inanimate obstacle (like they might squeeze past a parked car).
Riding a good distance from the kerb will also make you more visible to anyone emerging from a junction on the left (in countries that drive on the left). It will also give you more time to react when pedestrians step into the road with looking or warning.
Being confident on the road, for example by taking up a lane when it's needed, makes you safer because you get seen by drivers. This in turn makes you more confident :D
Totally agree! It’s better to do that, then get hit.
Commuted through london for 5 years, always ride positive and be assertive. Own your space and be clear what you're doing. Don't ride too close to the kerb and make sure you're out a bit when passing joining junctions and look for where the driver is looking.
My tips. 1. Have your head on a swivel, so you know where others are around you (vehicles and other bikes). 2. Be wary of parked cars... and give them a wide berth. You don't know if someone is ready to open a door and nail you. 3. Ride with plenty of room between you and the curb. It gives you a bail if you need to move right (or left in GB) and the extra space will often force traffic behind to move over and give you more room, instead of trying to stay fully in their lane and give you a brush. 4. Eye contact. Never assume a stopped car will wait for you to pass. Look directly at the driver and even from a long distance you can get eye contact. That way you know they see you. Even then never assume. 5. Share the road. If you're waiting for a light... hug the curb to allow vehicles to turn past you. Let reluctant drivers know they can turn. In other words, be polite. 6. I always tell drivers, "never underestimate the speed of a bike". I always tell riders, "motorists will underestimate the speed of your bike". 7. Obey the road rules... cyclist hatred is often misdirected, but much is deserved because of bad riders. All the best and stay safe.
As a bus driver in Birmingham and a keen cyclist i think every road user should watch this video ..Great Job GCN
2:57 driver so nice to cyclist that he simply disappeared off the road
Lol what
🤣🤣😂😂😂
thanos snapped B)
I find that after being right-hooked a few times (driver turning right in front of you without signaling and forcing you hard on the brakes or hitting their car - probably left-hooked in the UK) I find it VERY valuable to look at a car's front tire whenever I am starting to overtake a car when they have the possibility of turning.
Especially where I live in the Boston area, a significant number of drivers don't signal their turns and the first indication that they are turning is a slight movement of the front wheel.
Also, when you are coming up on a person at a crossroads waiting to cross in front of you, move out more towards the middle of the road if it is safe to do so. Lots of cars are not looking for cyclists at the side of the road, but you will be more visible closer to the middle of the lane.
Keep the wheels right side up and stay safe! :)
Awesome video. Thanks Hank. One thing missing in my view: could have done with a mention of how to deal with the dangers of car doors opening.
Don't leave lights on the bike when you lock up in public. They will get stolen very quickly.
Same thing goes for a pump and bottles in your cages.
Depends on the type of light - some are semi-permanently screwed onto the fork crown /rear mudguard / rear rack etc...
I wouldn't give that Canyon 30 min before being stolen
People suck
Do you ride in the city often? Were these tips helpful? Let us know in the comments 👇
Yoo whats up👆
I tend to purposely ride out to the country just to avoid the city 😂. But when commuting, I have no choice. And very helpful.
They would be but I don't live in a city😂 watching this because it's intertaining
Yeah they were useful I live in the city
i live inn nyc, so i kinda have to.
🚲Riding in NYC over 40years . Much metal affixed to my bones to prove it . And that ain't going to stop me . Ride On !!!🚲
I've been commuting for over 30 years. I have no broken bones to show for it. I do everything that Hank mentioned in the video. I'm only mentioning this in case people think getting hurt is a necessary part of bicycle commuting, it isn't for those of us that don't mind dialling back the aggro.
DC and 20 years Ride on!
You must be famous at the airports
I have a little metal and know how much it hurts. Be safe!
@@newttella1043 Exactly, I've never had a incident with a car because I'm always on the lookout and ride accordingly. I've also been riding motorbikes and pretty much the same applies. Ride defensively. Or ride like an asshole and be full of metal.
Great points. I am a denizen of Manhattan. The only thing I would add is...use vocal signals as well. "Coming through" or "heads up" can make pedestrians aware that you are coming. A bell can be a bit too subtle. Also when commuting it is polite to let other bikers you are on their tail and passing by giving a non-aggressive "passing on your left".
Really good video, be predictable is great advice! So true. After cycling in London for 15yrs best advice is don't get angry at the (many) potential bad drivers, wayward pedestrians etc, it just stresses you out & takes all enjoyment out of cycling
Bells help. A lot. But sometime in a busy, busy (and hectic) junction, i used to yell for sake of safety.
I cycle to and from work,I wear a high viz jacket and sometimes lit up like a Christmas tree and even then I am not seen by other drivers or they overtake me and then they turn left !!(I live in the UK).But ever since I put a big scary sports cam on my helmet.... all of sudden drivers now see me , probably out of fear of being recorded and reported for any offences.Happy cycling everyone.
I want to live, im never riding on my own streets in Bangkok.
Thank you for the video, I commute to work every day in South UK. In the summer due to the steep hills and hot weather, I always arrive to work sweaty, does not matter what I wear, not a great feeling. Like your handlebar, interesting.
Best thing is cycling through London during rush hour. So fun! Better than a rollercoaster!
Better chance of death too! Wohoo!!
@@Gungus-v1g London is pretty safe compared to other cities
@@Gungus-v1g I think that's the definition of thrill
It was my first time on the road, as well as my first crash on that same day. It's a light one, but slightly traumatized.
So yeah, story telling. My country got these tricycles (motorcycle with a sidecar) that's a form of commute similar to a bus with a fixed route. It was the first time for me to go street riding, so my buddy was with me to guide me, then suddenly a tricycle cut us in an intersection and I was behind. My friend hit a full stop right away, but I didn't get the cue in time, so swerved to the right.
I successfully avoided my friend but my front wheel's spokes caught the drops of my mate, tangling our bikes together and crashing both of us. Luckily, the street wasn't busy at the time, and it was an uphill, making vehicles slower.
As a daily NYC rider the two things I always have on my bikes are a loud bell and a rear view mirror ! I would not ride around the block without a mirror.Taking your eyes off whats in front of you for even a second could mean death in this city!
Good advice all-around. One thing I'd add on the positioning thing, is that if the bike lane has a parking lane beside it, always ride far enough out that you're clear of doors, even if that means riding at the outer edge, or taking a lane.
Also, If you need to take a lane, and there's a parking lane at the curb, hold your lane, even when there's long gaps in the parking lane. If you move over into the gaps in the parking lane, you probably won't get a gap to get smoothly back into traffic, and you'll have to stop and wait, and likely will disrupt traffic even more than if you had just stayed in your lane. (obvious exceptions being if you want to pull over to let people pass on a steep hill that you're going to be crawling over, etc.)
And assume that everyone is going to do the wrong thing. That driver's probably not going to stop before they turn. They're probably not going to look for bikes before they stop in the bike lane when leaving an alley, etc. Don't risk getting hit just because it's your turn.
Take your right of way if you can do it safely, but if someone's driving like an ass and you get hit, it's not going to matter who's in the wrong.
I used to ride on a street 3 cars wide with cars either side. That was a very dangerous location, and I was nearly doored once.
Always ride outside of the "door zone" of parked cars, outside the area their door could swing into. Getting "doored" is number two on the list of how bicyclists get killed here in America, close behind number one which is getting run over from behind.
Great advice that we need more of. Most journeys people make can be done by bicycle. A quick nip to the takeaway our even for the weekly shop can be done by bike. Unfortunately, most lycra wearing cyclists prefer to take the car, but I hope they watch this and rethink - cycling is not just about fitness its a way of life and green transportation. Great tips for the everyday urban cyclist.
I find a referee's whistle to be a help. Three quick blasts can often get a drivers attention.
Hello, great set of advices! However, I believe you’ve missed mentioning a safety device without which I would not dare ride where I do...The rear view mirror! I ride 16 miles (26 Km) at least 6 days a week in one of the most dangerous routes in Miami, Fl: round trip on SW 8 Street between the 74 Avenue and 152 Avenue. For those unfamiliar with the area, that part of SW 8 Street has three to four lanes in each direction with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. About half of that route has a designated bike lane. On the other half, you’re on your own...To be frank, most drivers are respectful of most of the rules and try to give you as wide a berth as traffic allows. Yet, there are drivers that just speed by (going way over the speed limit, I might add) barely half a foot from your body. Trust me, nothing will get your adrenaline running like having an eighteen wheeler (lorry, for my Brit friends) pass by you at half a foot from your body whilst going over 50 mph! And this is one of the reasons why I’ve found a rear view mirror (I prefer those attached to the helmet) to literally be a life saver! I’ve trained myself to constantly glance into the rear view mirror and in doing so I’m able to predict which drivers (especially the big trucks) will at least partially move onto the next lane and those who won’t. If a driver stays in my lane up to a couple of hundred yards before reaching me, it’s a safe bet he will almost brush against me. Sometimes, depending on the condition of the road (as a good part of the route I have a metal barrier next to me) I’ll try to get as close to the gutter as possible. Other times I just have to keep pedaling and hope it’s not my last ride...Another important use for the rear view mirror when riding in heavy city traffic is that you don’t need to turn your head (and possibly lose your balance) to see what traffic is approaching you from behind. I realize that many of you don’t ride frequently surrounded by troglodytes as I do, but for those who do, I advise getting a good rear view mirror.
Great tips Hank.
I would add a mirror. Anything that aids your vision in heavy traffic is handy. Seeing what's coming up from behind whist still watching what's happening in front of you can avoid accidents.
Interesting - having ridden around cities all my life I would add 3 thoughts. One would be try and be aware of what is behind you as much as what is in front of you. This can be partially achieved by actively listening (dont wear headphones) and just being aware of noisey mopeds/trucks/cabs etc behind you. Secondly, I would challenge the look, signal, manoeurve advice - it makes sense but especially when turning right (in the UK), just put your hand out to signal, give it a moment and then look behind (you always wobble a bit when looking behind properly and it is better just to give an initial signal). Thirdly - it is relaxing but dont over-relax, be massively alert, I dont find it really zens me out riding around a city, you can do that once you get there - stay superaware. Final thought - started using single speed around cities 10 years ago - they are the best (apart from hills) because they stop you racing, they are simple to maintain and it is one less thing to think about
I'd recommend pulling over to allow large vehicles to pass on single lane roads it saves everyone alot of trouble.
As well as always looking when passing through junctions especially if you have right of way
Yea the times cars don't respect that is so not fun
Wow. Very good advice for cycling in cities. I'm really pleased you mentioned about blind spots as I'm not just a keen cyclists but also an ex lorry driver and it is a big problem.
One of the most important aspects in my opinion is cautious driving. Despite going at a reasonably high speed I usually stop or reduce pedalling when going close to another road user, break in advance if there are small kids, dogs or other unpredictable things close to my path and generally have my fingers at the brakes more often than not.
Great advice. A little extra one for all cyclists on all roads, city, town or country. Every time one of us shows a driver that we are friendly, courteous, competent and sensible, we have another driver more ready to get along with us. For example, on just one roundabout on a regular ride, I found that by approaching in the correct lane, clearly signalling my intentions, being clearly visible etc, I was never once denied my right of way, including b double semis, buses etc. I would add that we need to be always ready with plan B just in case, and to ensure you have eye contact with the driver.
Finally, always acknowledge with a friendly wave.
Yeah. A little hand wave or nod of the head is a good way to say thanks for being a courteous driver.
Staying alert certainly is important when you ride in a city with invisible cars ... (background at 2:56)
Personally I'd add don't ride with headphones on or earpieces in; keeping yourself as aware as possible of your surroundings and any other road user or potential entrant to your space is critical to giving yourself a chance of avoiding hazardous situations. As others have noted being in the right is of little consolation if you end up hurt (or worse). Limit your interaction with devices limited to the occasional peek at your cycling computer.
The worst things happened to me with earpieces in. Losing my keys without recognizing the rattle when they dropped was really annoying.
I've never really had a problem with that, but I also don't crank them up to drown out traffic. When I'm near a busy street, I won't even hear my music over the noise, but it's nice when I get out in the quieter stretches to have some music going.
A lot of people regularly listen to their headphones pretty loud, though, so that seems like a bad idea.
@@nwimpney yea I do the same I hear cars about 30 seconds before they pass me on a 70 kmh round with music on so it's just about how high you go
great video, Hank ! I am doing a free clinic for the adults and kids in my neighbourhood, and plan on the same approach. a lot of adults who buy department store bikes have no idea how te gears work. you would be surprised ! i want to help !
Good topic! Another tip is knowing the "Rules of the Road" from where you live...It can also greatly help to have a drivers license with some experience...It may very well help you to better read the behavior of drivers in their vehicles; and understand how they operate in certain areas/situations.👊👊 Like @JorenVandaele mentioned making eye contact with drivers and claiming your spot on the road is also an amazing tip☝️ its something you can learn on your own but never really taught👌👌
And then the cars brake the rules as they don't know that bikes are vehicles to atleast in sweden
Best presenting Hanks done yet. Well done folks 👍
4:58 - Hank showing his big-big gear prowess.. ;-)
Thanks to this video ,it help me get over my fear of riding in a very congested city and helped me a lot in riding in traffic.
This video is life changer for me everything covered clearly.
Kudos to the each and everyone involved in creation of this video ❤
...keep a look out for Audi drivers
"luxury" cars in general, but I find one of the worst are BMW SUVs
I used to think that simply banning Audi & BMWs would solve 90% of the incompetent driving problems. And then I realised that they would just go and drive other brands. So be grateful these sexual inadequates advertise themselves.
BMW way worse
And BMW drivers...and Mercedes drivers...and busses...all verhicles really...and Tory voters, but that's just because rasicm might be contagious.
True!!!
I commuted to school and eventually to work by bicycle but I've never been what you call a cyclist. I'm tall, with a medium to muscular build (depending on whether I'm training for an upcoming judo tournament) and when I ride for exercise, I just wear a soccer jersey or a tank top...maybe with some running shorts or Eddie Bauer Guide Pants. I've never worn the whole lycra kit but I'm no less enthusiastic about riding. I feel great after commuting by bike! One to I never hear from vids about commuting however is to take a break every few days and just take the subway or bus in for a week. Give the body time to heal itself from the paces you put it through. It's good for the mind too, to remind yourself and everyone else you're not just the office sweatshog/bike fanatic. You can Rick some trendy clothes and shoes to work as well...sometimes. You can join colleagues for a night out at the pub after work like everyone else without thinking about where to safely lock up your trusty steed. Maybe most importantly, if you happen to be single especially, show off that body you've sculpted after those weeks cycling in, eating right and getting enough water and rest. Put that new pair of jeans or one-size-smaller button down to work. They'll stop thinking of it as child's play once they see what the commute has done for your figure. Then next week get back out there and ride. Enjoy both sides of the commute, though. The ride and its benefits!
I'm thinking of biking to my classes rather than walking... it would save me a ton of time!
Or you can just live in the Netherlands and not have to deal with all that.
You do need lights and a bell...not because you die without them though.
www.statista.com/statistics/523310/netherlands-number-of-cyclist-road-fatalities/ 🤔
ray076NL And having to spend 2-3 years learning Dutch? No thanks. And very few Dutch people know English.
You *do* need to know how to ride around other cyclists though.
In the UK people are (understandably) focusing on motor traffic and pedestrians, but on busy cycle lanes and bike paths you see cyclists struggling with riding in proximity to each other...
@@shannontrainer5857 Well, I live in the Netherlands, and can say you're wrong
Here in Scotland, you can get some training free from the council to help people new to road cycling to get into it safely.
Watching this video made me even more scared to ride in the city 😨
lol trust me , you will be fine.
Pray to the heavens that someone doesn’t almost kill you just so they can reach a red light 1 second faster.
Stay away from high curbstones. Years ago I rented a bike in Italy and hit a curb with my pedals when a car overtook me. I woke up in a hospital with just some bruises and some nasty abrasions. I learned to keep my cool and be more confident so all road users know you’re there if you know what I mean.
The last tip is the best one! Just relax and chill when not in your cycling bibs and have some relaxed fun!
when you pedal as i did on 36C uphill there is no speed at which you ride relaxed and not sweat like a swine.
HELLO!!!!!!!!!
Could you make a video about buying used bikes and for what we should pay attention(parts and other stuff)??
Nice encouragement. Although there no mention of locks (which GCN has covered in the past).
Don’t be surprised if parts are stolen off of your bike. Lights are to take with you. But wheels and saddles may go for a walk.
Biking my main mode of transportation but I think I wouldn’t like to cycle in London or a big US city, because - yes you can take the lane, ride in traffic, filter etc. - but it’s just frightening getting passed close and exhausting to navigate through dense traffic. Berlin has terrible streets for cycling but there’s a dense enough network of streets with separated bike paths, okayish bike lanes, sidestreets, parks and cycle streets and although the city is too slow, the new cycling infrastructure is good
Another helpful piece of equipment is a helmet mirror. Before I mounted one on I would find myself drifting into the area where I turned my head to look. A must have!
Best advise for trucks and cars turning right: Always try and pull up in front of them, and even if it means crossing the stop line get a head so they can see you out their front window. If you have to wait behind them, don't pull out to the curb but stay in the middel, that way cars pulling up behind you can see you, accidents happens because motorist' forget that they have mirrors and a Atlanto-axial joint.
I would add have lights front and rear on in the day-time too, have a rear view mirror & wear hi-vis clothing or a hi-vis vest :)
GCN: Relax on your commute
Also GCN: Do intervals between the lights
Helmet mirror can be a lifesaver.
Some good advice in the video and comments
I would add:
keep developing your skills of “reading the traffic” Anticipating what other traffic is about to do never ends.
Never assume another road user has seen you
Dusk is dangerous time. It feels like full daylight, but without lights,cycles dissolve into the background. Bright yellow/green don’t help much when it gets dark, only real réflectives.
With rain drivers visibility reduces, use lights.
For regular commuting, especially in winter, consider mudguards and pannier bags are more comfortable than a backpack
Good advice! This summer I want to ride on the road mostly, it’s way easier then sidewalk.
Nice video with a lot of good advice :-)
A few things though :
- when you ride in a city, you are usually going somewhere... So you might have to carry things with you. If you don't want to wear a backpack, you might want to ride a city bike with saddles to carry your stuff. And you might want to add mudguards.
- Also, if you ride in Flanders, always have a massive lock to attach your bike in the street. Everybody I know here already had at least one bike stolen (personally had 2 cheap mountain bike stolen despite a regular lock). And, of course, avoid riding a super expensive bike (no fancy Canyon) if you are going to attach it in the street, even for a few hours. And do not leave your lights on if they can easily be taken.
Great video. I'm looking for tips that I don't think of- obviously, and this vid has lots of them. The style of the video is pretty cool as well and attractive- is that the right word?? You know what I mean lol. I'm off now to watch a few more similar as I am accident prone. Great vid. Liked and subbed.
A schmidt dynamo is extremely handy to have on the front. Couple that with a USB connector, and you can power a front light and/or charge your garmin/phone as needed.
I love this video, never ride before and nevertheless on a city, I am so so scared! I hope I will remember all of this, I feel a tiny bit more confident 🥰
Commuting by bike to work everyday , best tips for sure .
Good one Hank. I do love Bath. (You were there weren't you?) Another tip could be, if you are riding a geared bike, is anticipate gear changes especially if you know you are coming up to a junction where. you will stop. Change down to make the restart much easier.
Shout out to the editor for the clean job done at the 2:50 mark. Also shout out to Hank for not accidentally bumping the camera and ruining the shot.
I see Hank also rode on flat pedals and in trainers. He didn't mention this but if you are new to commuting in London then I'd recommend it. It definitely helps you to relax if you are not 100% confident with Spd/Spd SL.
Yes safety first 👍🏼❤️🙌🏼 Ride safe God Bless!
I'm scared as hell still to ride on highways with cars at 100 mph. You never know when one of those ignorant drivers decide you just don't exist and make a dangerous overtake
Hello I'm a french fan of your ytb channel. Did you shoot the video in Bath ?
3:02 How do you actually summon an old person like that ? I'm asking for a friend.
“Enjoy your commute” the one time I was in London cyclists seemed to be in a race 😝 guess they forgot to enjoy. But really, I admire how fast they go on their lane. The only scary thing is I was almost run over by one hahaha
I'm really nervous about riding a bike in the city because I wobble a lot on the bike and the only time I ever rode a bike was in quiet pedestrian roads, the local cemetery or laps around the table in my terrace lol. When I go back to London I hope your advice works. Cheers ❤
Rode once in NYC and I swore never to do so unless its the five boro tour, forty glorious miles closed to traffic and finishing over the Verrazano Bridge
I use the Knog Oi bells on my bikes. On my mountain bike and hybrid I use the small as the bell is by the brake lever. On my road bike I use the large as the bell in by the stem. In the centre of London. Lorries and vans have to have multiple cameras to cover the vehicle's blind spot. I assume buses and coaches have them as well. Yes the camera may see you in the blind spot. But is useless if the driver doesn't look at the screen. If you are able to get in front of a lorry at a junction. Leave a large gap between you and the lorry. This means the lorry driver stands a better chance of seeing you. I have had experience of this from both sides. 1) as a cyclist. 2) as a lorry driver. I did used to drive the smaller 7.5 lorries. I wasn't as high up as the large lorries. But the same about having a large gap still allies. Lorries even have mirrors on the passenger door and on the front looking down. To see if there is anyone they can't see.
"If you are able to get in front ofa lorry at a junction. Leave a large gap between...."
Not sure if this was meant to be two sentences, but if you are in front of a lorry, it is worth remembering that on of the drivers largest blind spots is directly in front.
A note on riding too close to the gutter. You can also clip a pedal on some kerbs, which doesn't end well.
Decent casual advice, for riding in a city, that is in some country in Europe, I assume. High light in video was a bike rider looking behind them, if safe before making the move. Also being familiar with route partially is incredible for riding exercise and safety. I when I did ride a bicycle I would always give slight hand and arm motions to vehicles in the proximity when an option. Why? Simple it is slight communication to random vehicle that probably can't hear you if windows are up, but there eyes are open in theory since they are driving. Also don't be afraid to give a talking warnings to potential people coming up on current route when an option.
Hi GCN, I’m trying to get back into commuting to work but the road surfaces are awful! It can’t be just where I live (UK Midlands) but I haven’t heard it mentioned on GCN, despite watching loads of your vids. For me, this is a bigger danger than other road users. Why don’t you start a pothole of the week section in your weekly shows?
I'm a beginner city rider, and the biggest hazard I encountered so far are pedestrians who pop up at the last second from wherever you don't expect and they don't give a single fraction of attention to you because you are mostly a silent and small moving vehicle, especially at turns, now I admit I never used any sound/bells until now, but I think it's safer to start using those. Most importantly, I don't trust any pedestrian anymore and keep an eye on each one of them whenever I get close.
In a city there is always more than one way to get from A to B. Pick the route that avoids the heavy or fast traffic.
Nice one Hank.. been commuting a short while.. ditched the car during lockdown.. the best advice, like you mentioned, is to forget your carbon based racing self, take it easy and be mega alert.. give car drivers as few reasons as possible to show they're frustrations..! All the best.. 🚴👍🏻👊🏻✊🏻
Ride in the right-hand track and when you come to a stop light move to the lift-hand track in the USA
One of Global Cycling Network's best videos!
zebra crossing also death traps when there right on a corner of a road move them a couple of yards more away from the corner then it a be safe .learnt the hard way the crossing still there not been fixed but easily can be
One of the biggest aggravations here is the "rumble strip, along the side of the road. They force me to ride out in the main traffic. Rumble strips make the bike feel like a jackhammer with a saddle.
I am fairly new to cycling and have definitely got the bug but I am very nervous about riding in busy traffic and in the town. A video for beginners which cover positioning in the road, roundabouts, tackling lines of traffic (do I stay put or cycle on up the line) and overtaking etc would be really helpful please. Busy traffic is a deterrent for cyclists who would like to commute (or even just go shopping) but are not sure what they should be doing. Apologies to the experienced cyclists for this request. Just a thought. Cheers :)
I got garmin varia 510 radar is so useful
Rule of thumb with blinds spots is if you can see them in their mirror they cans see you. If not, you need to give them more space. Always a good idea to make eye contact before signaling to ensure people know what you're doing.
Top work by the editors with the masking in the ‘signalling’ segment. Bummer about the cars that decided to crashed the party!
"Equip a bell..." - Yeah, on that set of abysmal handlebars. Good luck. x)
A tin whistle is louder
Good info. For what it’s worth , cycling in Seoul, South Korea requires quite a bit of defensive caution despite the drivers here generally being respectful.