Cycle On The Roads In Safety

As you cycle in to work, you'll be able to look at those poor people in cars, stuck in queues of traffic! On the face of it, this may sound like a really good idea. So why is it that more people aren't choosing to take this particular option? I think that this can be explained by a number of reasons, including a fear of cycling on the roads.

Let's not pretend that this isn't an issue for many people. The truth is that being on your bike can leave you feeling rather exposed. Indeed, it's fair to say that many car drivers seem to take a rather forceful approach, which can leave cyclists feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

Even when you're out on leisurely rides, you may be aware of the fact that drivers of other vehicles don't appear to believe that you have the right to be on the road at all. They may have a point, if a suitable cycle lane is provided. But this is rarely likely to be the case.

After all, most of us would be far more likely to be using that cycle lane, if it were actually present for us. It's also clear that the failure of car and van drivers to appreciate the presence of cyclists can lead to problems. This means that there is certainly a very real feeling that there is a degree of danger associated with being on a bike.

Does this mean that you should avoid riding on the roads altogether? I think that would be a real shame and would mean that you would miss out on the joys of cycling. Instead, it makes considerably more sense to think about what you can do in order to ensure your own safety.

It's true that you are unable to control the behaviour of motorists, but there are certain steps that you can take to change your own situation. Think about how you can ensure that you are fully visible. This needn't be as difficult as it sounds and you could choose to wear reflective clothing, helping you to stand out from other road users.

There's also the question of how your bike looks and whether it is also visible to others. Modern LED lights can be used to transform the appearance of your bike, helping to make sure that you can be seen from all sides. When it comes to cycling on the roads, it's also important that you know how to give the correct signals.

We know that car drivers aren't always aware of cyclists, but do be careful to ensure that you take the right approach and look around you as often as possible.