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Cycling: Difference between revisions
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==Accessories== | ==Accessories== | ||
===Bells=== | |||
Bells are useful to have and in fact are a legal requirement. They can be slightly dangerous though. You shouldn't rely on a person getting out of the way when you ring your bell, they tend to ignore em. Always be ready to brake when going through an area with lots of pedestrians, don't worry so much about making sure they know they have inspired your ire by ringing your bell furiously. | |||
===Illumination=== | ===Illumination=== | ||
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==Good cycle practices== | ==Good cycle practices== | ||
People might put in comments about cycling through town, what to do and what not to do. | People might put in comments about cycling through town, what to do and what not to do. There are a number of books about cycling through urban locations, a google will find em. | ||
===Road Positioning=== | |||
When cycling through town, or for that fact anywhere, there are occasions when it is safest to move into the center of the lane. This is particularly the case when there is not enough room for a car to safely overtake you. By cycling in the middle of the lane, the car will not attempt it. If you are over the in kerb they might. | |||
Similarly if cycling along a line of parked cars, do not stay in close, give them the mandatory door length space between you and them. | |||
If approaching a left turn, it might be best to enter into the main lane of traffic. This way cars turning left will not squash you as they turn. Indicate of course that you are moving into the main lane of traffic. I find that drivers invariably allow you in, if you indicate, as they are nervous of making you go spat. Also, moving into the main lane makes it easier for oncoming cars turning to their right to see you and also for cars emerging from the left turn ahead to see you. (this is also why a front light at night is important, so as oncoming turning cars can see you) | |||
===Cycle Lanes=== | |||
It is mandatory to use cycle lanes when they are available. That is, a Garda can bust you for using the road, when a cyclelane is present, even if it's safer to use the road. However, the cycle lanes must be correctly defined and marked. There are a number of laws relating to the use of cycle lanes and cycling on the road in general. Theses are nicely presented at | |||
http://www.geocities.com/cyclopath2001/legal.htm | |||
===Braking=== | |||
As mentioned above disc brakes offer superior performance to V-Brakes, especially in wet weather. When braking, the various books and sites I've read advise using your front brakes first, not your back brakes. Front brakes offer much greater stopping force. To avoid going head over heels, don't jam on the brakes as hard as you can. If travelling particularly fast, shove your arse up and over the back of the seat, moving your weight over the back of the bike, this will prevent you flying forward. | |||
Be particularly careful in wet weather, skidding on your front brakes is remarkably scary. | |||
Check your brake pads regularly enough, if you head a scraping sound from em when you brake, make sure you change them quickly. You might have worn the pad away and the metal underneath is shredding your wheel rim to pieces. | |||
===Traffic Lights=== | |||
Various Gurus differ on traffic lights. At a dangerous junction, where it is difficult for a cyclist to get in the correct lane, it can sometimes be safer to move out while the light is red so as to get ahead of the waiting cars. | |||
In general I obey all junction traffic lights, but tend to go through pedestrian lights. This is illegal of course, you are required to obey all lights. | |||