Three things I've learnt as a cyclist in London

My old, very floral, bike and basket.

With the recent number of cyclist deaths in London, and as a cyclist on the streets of London myself. I decided to write a small post on 3 things I feel I have learnt over the past 2 years.

1. Assume the worst. What I mean by this is assume all those parked cars will fling open their door at any moment, assume the car pulling out hasn't seen you and assume that lorry is making a left turn. 

By always being extra cautious and vigilant you are giving yourself time on the road to be smart and make good decisions. Don't become a cyclist who believes they are the king of the road. I don't understand why some people choose to turn their commute into a thrill seeking experience by taking the brakes off their bikes (Matt bumped into one of these people on Whitechapel Road, seriously!?), not having lights or not wearing a helmet...Take up skydiving instead!

2. Don't hide. When I first started cycling I was timid and stuck as close to the pavement as I could. This is bad for a few reasons, it makes it hard to turn right and lessens your chances of being at the front of the traffic when stopped at traffic lights. Remember that it's okay to make cars wait for a while. It's good for them. 

3. Dress appropriately. I guess this point is very much from personal experience. In the summer I came off my bike in front of embankment station. It's a long straight road, I was zooming along in my top gear, going faster than the guys I was with. It felt great until my shoe slipped into the spokes on my front wheel. My ankle took the momentum and I flew over the handlebars, my wrists and head taking the fall. I sprained both my wrists, had some grazes on my face and couldn't walk for a few days. I think it was a lucky escape, the cars managed to dodge me and I came out without serious injury. This would be a different story if I had not been wearing a helmet. My face would have been far far far more cut up. It would also have been a different story if I had been wearing sensible shoes, at the time I was wearing ballet pumps (shame on me) and that's why they had slipped off my foot and into the spokes to easily. I now always wear trainers or boots. Lastly, don't wear black or, if you wear black get some reflective strips on your panniers/backpack/helmet. Its worth it, especially if it saves your life.

There are foolish cyclists and foolish motorists. Whilst I am very pro new cycle lanes and better education for drivers I think there really are things cyclists can do to stay safe on the road. Sticking to the law, and always being aware could save yours, or someone else's life at some point. But don't stop cycling, the more of us there are the more we will be listened to. 

Cycle safe!