Once you’ve been riding for a bit, it can be easy to get complacent. That’s when accidents happen.
Commuting, especially in traffic, needs full attention. Ride with fingers on the brake levers, move your head to look down intersections or driveways for approaching cars, watch cars until you’re 100% certain you’ve been seen. Check behind before passing parked cars and always be alert for the “left hook” where a vehicle overtakes then suddenly turns left in front of you. We mentioned car doors earlier, we’re mentioning it again because “dooring” is something that will catch you out when you least expect it. Give parked cars a wide berth wherever possible.
At traffic lights, when a light turns green, check that there are no more cars, trucks, buses (or bikes) coming through before you set off.
Now commuting is taking off, you’ll need to be more aware of the cyclists behind you. It’s a good habit, even on a bike path, to signal or check behind before you stop, set off or make any unexpected move.
Scan the road ahead for glass, rocks, grates and drains so you don’t suddenly swerve when you come across them. Watch for changing road surfaces, gravel, wet leaves or things like manhole covers, metal plates, wooden bridges or painted lines that can be slippery in the rain.
It can be fun to freewheel down a hill, but anticipate things that could be hidden around the corner and maybe slow down a bit.
On shared cycle paths, watch for pedestrians, they can be unpredictable and with the prevalence of earbuds and headphones, ringing your bell doesn’t cut it. Don’t speed past people or yell at them to get out of your way. Ninety nine percent of your ride will be sweet, don’t let that tiny one percent inconvenience to you spoil someone else’s day. Chill out, slow down and wait until it’s safe for you to make a safe pass. Wave, smile or say hi to people. Those with earbuds probably won’t hear you, but the simple goodwill of a smile or nod as you pass can be infectious.
Watch out for dogs. Loose dogs are bad, but ones on extendable leads are probably more dangerous. Just slow down and pass with caution while expecting the unexpected.
Watch for overhanging branches hitting you in the face. Overgrown bushes can grab your handlebars and send you into the weeds. If you happen to ride off the path to go around an obstacle, be careful you don’t catch your front wheel on the edge of the concrete when you try to get back on it. Ride across at close to 90 degrees to the lip to be safe. Same goes for driveways, rail tracks or any ridge.
Next time we’ll discuss how to cope with road rage.
Check out the rest of the Commute by Bike series
- A series to help start your bike commuting journey
- Choosing a bike for commuting
- You and bike commuting
- What stuff do you need for bike commuting?
- Route planning for bike commuting
- Safety tips for bike commuting
- Motivation when you start bike commuting
- Pimping your ride for a bike commute
- What clothes do you need for bike commuting?
- Maintaining your bike for commuting
- Watch-outs for bike commuting
- Coping with road rage when you commute by bike
- Going electric or going alternative for your bike commute
- So you’re a bike commuter. What next?
