Goldsmiths - University of London

Frequently Asked Questions About Cycling

Though cycling in London can seem intimidating there are lots of quiet side street routes, get copies of the free London cycle guides from the London Cycling Campaign. Local groups do leisure rides-Leisure Rides and buddy schemes where an experienced cyclists accompanies a less experienced cyclist on their route to give them confidence (free service). Alternatively there is such a thing as cycle proficiency training for adults, but for which there may be a charge. There are two local very pleasant long distance cycle routes, the Thames Path and Waterlink Way which are part of the National Cycle Network. If you are interested in competitive cycling or want to go on long rides, join a local cycling club. Recommended books : The London Cycle Guide by Nicky Crowther and Cyclecraft by John Franklin.

Local Bike Shops

• Witcomb Cycles, 25 Tanners Hill, Deptford 020 8692 1734
  The shop does not have a wide range of stock but the owner is helpful. They are good for repairs and have some some second hand bikes for sale. The bikes have been serviced and reconditioned. Please contact the email list (goldbike-l) if you would like someone to be with you when buying a bike from the shop. There will also part exchange bikes if you buy a new bike from them.
• Daycocks Cycles 70/72 Loampit Vale, Lewisham, 020 8265 4411
  Good range of clothes, lights and other bits and pieces.
• Chris Compton Cycles 23/25 Catford Hill, Catford, 020 8690 0141
  Large range of new and second hand bikes.
• The Bike Shop, 228/290 Lee High Road, Lee
  Large range of new and second hand bikes.
• Harry Perry Cycles Unit 6, McBean Street, 88-104 Powis Street 020 8854 2383
  Sells new and second hand bikes, the owner runs his own bike club, very good and helpful service.

Summary

• Avoid long vehicles 
• Give parked cars sufficient room for a door to open 
• Don't sit in a driver's blind spot or get on the inside of left turning vehicles 
• Be a presence on the road, move to a more central position on the road if you need to to avoid parked cars or to pass through a narrow gap 
• Always look behind you before changing road positions and signal if necessary. You should always signal when crossing across lanes of traffic, you may not need to if you are moving out to avoid an obstacle, check for motorbikes and other cyclists when you overtake 
• When undertaking look out for cars turning through gaps in the traffic even if you are in a cycle lane, take it easy and avoid squeezing up the inside when there is insufficient room 
• Treat the driver in front as if he is unaware of your presence 
• Look out for pedestrians, ring your bell occasionally to warn them of your presence, don't jump traffic lights 
• Never rush in traffic, save the speed for clear roads 
• Plan your route to avoid dangerous junctions 

Safety pointers for specific situations

Cycling Safely on Shared Use Pavements

Cycling on the pavement may feel like it is a lot safer but in fact it isn't for you or for others and this is true even when it is an official shared path. There are uncomfortable to ride on, dangerous at crossing points and you have difficulty rejoining the traffic stream coming from a point where drivers don't acknowledge you. By using the pavement you undermine your position as a vehicle. There are some official shared paths that you can use, but they err not without their problems. Always go slowly on a shared use path and give way to pedestrians, it is THEIR bit of space, they have the right to feel safe. Unfortunately they are erratic and can move sideways suddenly, if you are cycling slowly you are likely to be tipped into the road by a sudden sideways movement. Use your bell to warn of you presence. Avoid startling people by getting right behind them before ringing it, just ping it now and then. The problems don't stop there, you are likely to be attacked by angry old men with sticks even if it a shared use path, have to avoid moody gangs of teenagers and yapping dogs. But the real danger is at junctions. You will be approaching faster than drivers are expecting and at a quick glance they may not realize that you are approaching from the pavement not the road. You HAVE TO SLOW RIGHT DOWN and almost STOP AT to EVERY TURNING AND JUNCTION even if you think there is nothing coming. It is all too easy to think that is you don't really need to stop and look, that there is nothing coming. I have spoken above how when on the road you must act like a vehicle. Once you are off the road you have to act like pedestrian, you have to be much more cautious and you can't belt along as you can on the road. Switch mentality. If you rejoin the road this presents another danger point when you have to re-establish you position on the road. Please don't use pavements where you don't have permission to do so.

Cycling Safely on a Minor Road

The main things to look out for are car doors opening and children running out unexpectedly. Drivers tend to be a bit more careless and not look as carefully so be prepared! If a driver looks as if he is joining the road without looking use your bell, be move up a little in the road (towards the centre) and be prepared to brake. At narrow points in the road it is best if you adopt a middle lane position to prevent dangerous overtaking. 

Road Narrowings

Anticipate the road narrowing and as for a parked car start to move out in good time. If the road narrowing is caused by the kerb coming in, don't follow the kerb line or you could end up squashed. If you can't move out safely, slow and wait until you can. If the road narrowing is created by an island and you think that cars are likely to overtake too close, if it is safe move to a slightly more central road position by the island. The cars will then slow to pass you at this point or wait until after the island to overtake. Clinging to the kerb is an invitation to overtake. 

Undertaking and Overtaking

Undertake slowly even in a cycle lane, look out for side roads where cars might be turning through gaps in the traffic - you can't always see the gaps. Use your bell occasionally. Watch out for pedestrians. When overtaking a lane of traffic check for motorbikes before moving out. If overtaking parked cars, check over your shoulder and start moving to into position to overtake well before you reach the parked cars. You can then time when you make the final move out to blend with the traffic. Be prepared for a car door to open suddenly.

Buses

Pass buses with a metre to spare and don't cut back in too soon. When pulling away from a stop buses tend to move, signal and then look. If you give the bus good clearance you will be able to avoid pedestrians suddenly appearing from behind the bus. Be very wary undertaking buses as people may be getting off, or the bus may suddenly pull in to let someone off. Ideally overtake. Don't get on the inside of buses at bends. Bus drivers are on the whole considerate of cyclists, but the length of the vehicle makes them dangerous. Be particularly wary of bendy buses.

How to Handle Roundabouts (including miniroundabouts)

If you are going straight on, position yourself in the middle of the left hand lane before joining the roundabout. Keep to the middle of this lane, until your exit when you can move to over to the left. Adopting a middle lane position prevents people turning left across you and makes it clear you want to go straight on. Don't assume a driver who is not signalling is not going to turn left. If turning right use the middle of the right hand lane. If you feel pressurized you can use the right hand side of the right hand lane but never the left as you will end up being squeezed between two lanes of moving vehicles. Avoid being squashed between two lanes at all costs. 

How to Handle One Way Systems

Use the middle of your lane. When changing lanes signal and if you are not sure if a driver is going to give way make eye contact. Your speed will be approximately the same as the car drivers so dominating a lane is easier than it sounds. Do not allow yourself to be squeezed to the side of the lane because from this position it is much more difficult to make required changes of lane. 

Central London

The back streets of London are very quiet. Enjoy exploring around. The main roads are wide but there are lots of very daunting junctions. Avoid then if you can. The secret to handling these junctions is lane discipline. Get into the correct lane. This is not always easy if you are unfamiliar with the route. Be particularly wary of pedestrians, slow down and expect them to do anything. Look out for taxis doing U-turns and pulling in and out. Use you head if a taxi seems like he is dithering he is probably about to do a U turn. If there is someone ahead standing on the kerb waving at the taxi in front, the taxi is going to pull in isn't he? If a taxi has just pulled into the kerb with a passenger the outside door is likely to open. Rocket science? Always be wary of undertaking a vehicle by a turning, the vehicle may have stopped to let someone turn right. Oxford Street is hell, it is filled with swarms of bag laden pedestrians and impatient bus drivers. Use you bell and overtake on the outside of buses. Be careful not to get boxed in by overtaking buses at the buildouts. Move out well in good time.

Ice and Puddles and Potholes

If you try and brake or turn on ice you will come off and it hurts. You may come off anyway. Avoid unsalted roads. You are also likely to come off turning on gravel, good for a savage graze. Look out for potholes and debris, going down a pothole may send you heals over head and you are likely to land on your head. Complain to your local authority and yes puddles may be hiding a big pothole, stick to the edge if you can, but remember last minute swerves are dangerous

Cycling Facts

• A regular cyclists can expect to be as fit as an average person ten years younger.
• Cycling protects you from Western diseases such as heart disease, diabetes. 
• Cycling is easier than walking! On a bike you can travel four times faster than you can walk using the same amount of energy.
• On a bicycle you weigh about six times more than your vehicle. In a car your vehicle weighs around 20 times more than you do.
• On a bicycle you can travel up to 1037 kilometres on the energy equivalent of a single litre of petrol and you use less energy than a car uses to power its headlights.

Stupid things cyclists do ....

• Stick to main roads and never bother to find alternative, pleasanter routes.
• Carry bags on their handlebars or inadequately secured loads - crashing as the bags get caught up in the wheels or the load slips as the cyclist goes round the bend.(If this happens to you, you will not be the first.)
• Don't lock their bikes.
• Believing they don't need lights.
• Believe batteries last for ever.
• Cycling without showing consideration or showing that they are taking care.
• Position themselves in drivers blind spots.
• Get stuck on the inside of long vehicles turning - turning HGV vehicles KILL cyclists.

Sensible things cyclist do ...

• Cycle

Useful links

For more information about planned events or to pass on information that you will think will be useful for other cyclists in college, e-mail goldbike-l or Frances Renton. 

To raise issues or seek advice either e-mail goldbike-l or Rushton Aust.