7 Tips for Defensive Cycling

Cycling on British roads like a battle between David and Goliath; in an accident between an SUV and a bike, there is only going to be one loser. There may be a lot of injustice, but the only thing we can do is cycle defensively and minimise the dangers to ourselves.

1. Be predictable. Ride a straight line. For example, if there is a street with a few parked cars and spaces in between then it is best to keep the same line and not weave in and out of the spaces.
2. Move to the Centre of a lane at a Traffic Light. When I stop at traffic lights, I move to the centre of the road so the car has to be behind me, rather than squeezing past. This can be dangerous when you start at the same time as the car, especially if the car is turning left and you are going straight on. This manoeuvre is also important for right turns.
3. Anticipate Dangers. Give yourself distance for a car door to open. Expect cars which don’t follow the rules of the road.
4. Try to scan through car windows for pedestrians and cars which may come out of side lanes.
5. Be wary of Pedestrians. They will inevitably cross the road without looking; they are used to listening for traffic. A bell can be a good tool. However, a real problem is that when a pedestrian is crossing the road you start to anticipate that they will continue walking therefore, you take a line, which will miss them. However, if they suddenly hear your bell, they will freeze and stop right where you are, then you will have to change your line. Never expect pedestrians to do the obvious thing of 1) Looking where they are going or 2) continue in a certain direction.
6. The Best Response is No Response. If a motorist makes you angry by behaving in a bad or dangerous way; it is best to avoid making an obscene gesture. Usually, this will be a signal for an escalation and subconsciously the motorist feels he has succeeded in riling the cyclist. If you maintain silence, he has nothing to escalate this. The best thing is to get the number plate and report illegal infractions.
7. Be Seen. In 70% of accidents you will hear the excuse from drivers “but, I didn’t see them…” Do the best to be highly visible. If you ride in dark clothes and no lights, you can only increase the chance of being another accident statistic.