Warning:
These tips are addressing Australian road laws, please also consider
that we drive on the left side of the road, therefore if you are
in a country that is like the USA, any diagram will have to be mirrored.
1. Tram
Tracks: be very careful to not cross tram tracks on an acute
angle, your front when may drop into the gap not allowing your to
steer and subsequently cause you to fall. This is especially the case
if you have narrow tyres. You may also find that actuating a turn on a
wet track is very slippery and it could be all over rover before you know
what happened. That is why it is always advisable to cross on a very direct
angle and/or lift your front wheel a little.
Click to enlarge
2. Gutters: when riding up a gutter or sharp edge, try
to lift or at least de-weight your front wheel then your rear wheel to
avoid tyre, tube or rim damage
Coming soon
3. Right
hand turn: When turning right
at an intersection it is much safer to perform a hook turn. To perform
a hook turn, when approaching the intersection pull over to the left of
the intersection in front of the stopped cars, wait for the lights to
turn green and ride off with the traffic. This way you will never be waiting
in the middle of the intersection which can be a very dangerous place
to wait for a break in the traffic.
4. Looking
dangerous: if your senses tell you there is danger from a vehicle
approaching from the rear especially a truck, it is not always the best
idea to hold a perfect clean line or appear too predictable. A bit of
body movement or unpredictability while holding a fairly straight line
may alert the vehicle to give you a little more room. This does not mean
that you make radical sudden moves that may put you in danger. It is advisable
to try for a little more room for larger vehicles because if they pass
you at higher speed, they will blow you outwards and then suck you inward
in their vacuum.
See the video
Only available on
promo CD
5. Car
Doors: Look through the windows of parked cars for somebody
who may be opening their car door in your path, claim a bit more lane
but be aware of what is coming from behind. Claiming a bit more road lane
that will restrict traffic passing, making room for a car to pass is giving
the car an invitation to come through which may put you or on-coming traffic
at risk however. If a door opens and you have nowhere to go, by by birdie.
Restricting traffic also applies to to entering a round-a-bout (tip
14) or if a car is trying to pass over double lines on a blind
corner (road tips 10). To let the driver
understand why your hogging the road, you could hand signal however just
getting your speed up helps as the drivers will not be too frustrated
if they are not being held up too much.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
6. Eye
contact: If you see a vehicle or pedestrian about to pull out
in your path, expect that they do not see you coming, You can often feel
comfortable that you have been acknowledged if you make eye contact but
still proceed with caution.
Coming soon
7. Holding
a clean line: Hold a
straight line past cars that are intermittently parked. Don't weave in
and out of the empty spaces, other riders or drivers may not be ready
for your unpredictable sudden re-entry into the traffic lane. Also look
be prepared for vehicles edging out from driveway or side streets that
may cause you to have to swerve out into the path of traffic to get past.
It is advisable before you make a manoeuvre like that to check that there
are no cars coming from behind. if there are, you may be better off stopping
or turning left into the side street and going around the back of the
car before getting back on the original road, I know it is slower and
a bit of a drag but you will be alive to tell the tale.
Example 1, click
to enlarge
Example 2, click to
enlarge
8.
Gaining ground at red lights: For some vehicles especially
trucks, it may take a bit of driver effort to pass a cyclist and especially
a group only to get a red light soon after and the cyclists roll back
up around the vehicle. It frustrates driver to no end, it is always better
to evaluate that if a vehicle has made a bit of effort to pass, when you
do stop at a red signal behind them, don't get in front of them again.
Plus if you pull up in front of a truck, often they cant see you, if they
take off quickly or anticipate a light change, you put yourself in extreme
danger. Best to wait behind them.
Incorrect, click to
enlarge
Correct, click to
enlarge
9.
Claim your lane at
red lights: Once you have stopped at a red light,
it is best not to stop at the absolute edge if there is not
much room or a bike lane because as the cars take off the will
squeeze you into the gutter (curb) and make it very difficult
to get going. I say claim you lane once you get started and
have you balance move over and let them through. They may not
understand why your in the middle of the lane but it is just
one of those things where it is better to look like a fool and
be safe.
Correct, step a, click
to enlarge
incorrect, step b.
click to enlarge
10. When
cornering, avoid potential
hazards when cornering like;
Leaves
Gravel
Man holes
Pot holes
Changing of surface
Tram tracks
Slimy concrete in gutters
Smooth surfaces like paint or steel
in the wet
Click to enlarge
More examples
coming soon
11. Resist
making obscene gestures or profane shouting, you may think
you've had your say but rarely does any good and may lead to road rage.
A diplomatic approach to the danger as seen by you is often well received.
For extremely dangerous road behaviour it is possible to report the number
plate to the police for dangerous driving. It is possible that the driver
may have a bad driving record and your report may warrant police action.
12. Beware
of sun glare, rain or drizzle although you can see well enough,
the view through a car windscreen may be very difficult especially while
the driver is attempting to answer a mobile phone, light a cigarette,
adjust the radio etc. Choose an alternate root that avoids these type
of situations. Use bike paths where possible.
pic coming soon
13. If
you happen to venture
off the edge of the road onto the shoulder
or a gutter (curb), especially if it has a different surface like gravel
or slippery wet or mossy concrete. Don't try to get straight back on the
road. If you front wheel slips on re-entry, you body will fall outward
in to the path of the traffic. It is better to keep your line and keep
riding off the road, slow down and plan your re-entry when safe. If you
find yourself in rough or uncertain terrain, do the above but you may
also lean back, have your cranks level and raise your bum off and back
behind the seat
Incorrect, click
to enlarge
Correctlick to enlarge
14. When
entering a round-a-bout, cars often try to pass you into
the intersection or in the intersection that can be dangerous. I believe
that it is better to keep your speed up into the roundabout and claim
a bit of road and enter the intersection as a vehicle not allowing a
vehicle to pass, it is only for about 5 seconds and although the driver
may be annoyed, your riding safer.
Note: Round-a-bouts
are an alternative to lights introduced in some countries that hopefully
keep traffic moving. The rule is you have to give way to whoever is
"in" the round about, so for Australia you have to give way
to the traffic on your right.
Correct, Click to
enlarge
Incorrect, Click to
enlarge
Click to enlarge
15. Be aware of
cars turning right in front
of you, some cars may underestimate your speed while passing,
then immediately turning in front of you trapping you into the gutter.
If this happens you should reduce as much speed
as possible speed and turn with the car. The same applies to oncoming
vehicles.
Example
q, click to enlarge
Example 2, click
to enlarge
16. Don't
freewheel toward or through intersections as a driver may anticipate
that you are stopping and may pull in front of you. If yo keep pedalling
toward and through, drivers that are making a turn in your path will see
your committed to enter the intersection and wait.
Incorrect, click
to enlarge
17. Crossing
an exit lane can be very dangerous and should be done with
extreme care. If you have a fair amount of speed compared to the traffic
you can merge out a little to show the cars coming from behind that you
are clearly going straight and they may even move over a little, In some
cases the second car is just itching to exit at top speed (usually a 'P'
plate driver) and a dash under the first car behind you onto the exit
lane could be fatal,. By moving out a little, the car coming from behind
may also move out a little and allow second car coming from behind to
see you sooner.(see 1st pic below C14a) If you don't have much speed
compared to the traffic it is advisable to turn into the exit lane and
wait for a safe space in the traffic to cross the exit lane only and then
continue on. (see 2nd pic below C14b). You can turn your head a little
and use some peripheral vision to see if any cars are coming but only
if is safe to do so.
Warning: These tips are addressing Australian road laws, please also consider that we drive on the left side of the road, therefore if you are in a country that is like the USA, any diagram will have to be mirrored.
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
See the video
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Example 1, click to enlarge
Example 2, click to enlarge
Incorrect, click to enlarge
Correct, click to enlarge
Correct, step a, click to enlarge
incorrect, step b. click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Incorrect, click to enlarge
Correctlick to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Example q, click to enlarge
Example 2, click to enlarge
Incorrect, click to enlarge
Example 1. click to enlarge
Example 2 click to enlarge
