Accident Prone

[Perry95]

been riding for a hobbie for about a year on my mountain bike and have had 3 serious accidents that i remember.

1. Cycling at a fair pace down hill in the "door zone" (you can guess the rest)


2. Was shunted onto the pavement by a car pulling out of a side alley, car zoomed off before i even knew what had happened (not badly hurt just frightened)


3. Cycling quikly down a hill and I did what i can only describe as "falling asleep at the handlebar", next thing i knew i was on the floor with a bunch of very helpful passers buy helping me up. (wasn't on a road, t'was a public foot/cyclepath)

Now got a road bike and a helmet (finally) and am constantly nervous about stupid people, idiotic drivers and my stupidity getting me hurt. Any advice on how to keep safe on roads or does it all come with experiance in road cycling, (have bright orange top so im not invisible)

[coolboarder]

It happens to the best of us and it is important to get back on and get going as soon as possible. Can't suggest much about you crashing off-road on your own other than keep practising your riding skills. However, on the road you've already identified two problems: you were riding too close to stationery vehicles - unless you can clearly see the vehicle is empty, assume some idiot will open a door without looking so ride a door's width away. As a general rule always ride at least a metre away from the kerb, you avoid drain covers and rubbish which tends to accumulate there but it gives you more room to manoeuvre. You can never legislate against idiots pulling out from side roads but again assume everyone is going to do it, make eye contact - if they haven't made eye contact with you assume they haven't seen you. In urban areas I ride in the middle of the lane, command your piece of road, and don't let anyone else in it, once again it gives you more room if someone does pull out and it stops cars overtaking only to pull in and hinder you at the next parked car they have to stop at because they can't judge the width of their vehicles to overtake. Be positive maintain your speed, make clear signals and don't dither, put the boot on the other foot - intimidate cars drivers don't be intimidated but be alert at all times.

[timothy.john]

Welcome aboard, Perry. Buying a helmet is a superb move; surviving your earlier accidents without serious injury is good fortune indeed. Experience will help, as will the general principle of assuming everyone on the road is an idiot, as outlined above by CB. Motorists believe the road belongs to them. My 'favourite' is their refusal to acknowledge closing speed and to pull out in front of you, presumably having made the mental calculation "bike=slow=plenty of time to pull out". Be careful out there and ride defensively.

[Perry95]

Been pulled out by drivers on numerous occasions already because of the issue with speed and it's really frustrating having to brake and lose momentum, which is why i am practicing braking as little as possible not only to preserve efficiency but also to scare the driver into thinking im about to scratch his paintwork

[coolboarder]

I am practicing braking as little as possible not only to preserve efficiency but also to scare the driver into thinking im about to scratch his paintwork

Now you're talking!

[Perry95]

Now you're talking!

Unfortunately im also scared of scratching mine!!