For Cyclists: Advice and Nifty Tips
“In politics, one can learn some things from cycling, such as how to have character and courage. Sometimes in politics there isn’t enough of those things.”
Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium, 2004
Here’s several links and useful tips to counter the negativity and pointless fear factor. Even if you’re not a cyclist, read on and increase your awareness of what we have to encounter. If you’re a cyclist, brush up on your knowledge.
Our Reporting incidents and police links page has vital information if you require police assistance and wish to report a incident.
Canberra Cycling Club: How to Survive Road Hazards
By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com
Cycling is a unique sport because its arena is the open road. That’s the same place frequented by traffic, potholes, snarling dogs and absentminded pedestrians. But sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. Inattention and poor technique can put us on the pavement as fast as any hazard. Use these tips and you’ll be less likely to take a tumble. Always ride with your head up. While cruising along, it’s tempting to stare at the whirling pattern of the front spokes or fixate on your cyclecomputer’s numbers. A momentary downward glance that lasts just a second too long can mean riding into a problem that could easily have been avoided.
Bicycle Life: Bicycle Commuter’s Guide - Share the Road - Tips & Techniques
Do you know how to ride a bicycle? Many people realize that riding a bicycle instead of driving a car saves the noise, stinks, and congestion of the infernal combustion engine. Do you know the personal benefits of cycle commuting? Cycling offers pleasure, companionship (ride with a buddy), cost savings (especially if you eliminate a motor vehicle), time savings (combining workout with commuting), reduced stress, and cardiovascular fitness. A bicycle can be a “fitness club on two wheels.” Riding is fun and makes you feel good.
Bicycle Victoria: Harassment and road rage: What you can do
It can be a frightening and intimidating experience to be harassed while riding your bike. Most bike riders are shaken and angry after an incident but feel powerless to do anything about it. Depending on the exact nature of the behaviour there are a number of steps you can take.
Bicycle Institute of South Australia: Road Rage and Road Abuse
Road rage, in which one road user aggressively injures another, is extremely rare. Injuries due to other causes are much, much commoner. Road Abuse, which is where cyclists experience abuse or rude behaviour but not injury, is more common. It’s unpleasant, but very very seldom escalates to road rage. Nevertheless, we need to know good ways to handle Road Abuse.
How to Not Get Hit by Cars by Michael Bluejay
This page is reproduced from BicycleSafe with modifications for Australia. This page shows you real ways you can get hit and real ways to avoid them. This is a far cry from normal bike safety guides, which usually tell you little more than to wear your helmet and to follow the law.
From the urbanbicyclist project :: top tricks ‘n hints for RIDING IN TRAFFIC Melbourne City Rider Guide
Use the Street Space
Use sightlines to find gaps in the traffic and look ahead and around corners.
Changing Traffic Lights
Ride over black circular traffic light sensors at intersections to change the lights.
Take the Lane / Share the Lane
Depending on lane width and traffic speed use the remaining space or take the whole lane.
Positioning In the Traffic Flow
Be aware of drivers’ blind spots next to rear doors. Use vehicles for cover at intersections (cross tram tracks at wide angles). Be aware of what’s behind you. Look for any gaps in the traffic pattern and immediate street environment such as spaces between parked cars, kerbs and buildings.
Preparing Your Bike
Make your own mudguards using drink bottles or plastic folders. Keep a plastic bag stuffed under your seat for waterproofing when parking in the rain. Clean your brakes & rims after rain.
What to Carry
Get a good waterproof jacket, don’t compromise on style!
Spray your shoes & bag with waterproof sealant.
Carry a spare pair o socks in a plastic bag.
Keep a change of clothes at work/uni. Get a good bag. Use plastic bags inside for your books etc.
Riding In the Wet
Watch out for slippery metal grates and covers, especially when turning.
Beware! Puddles may be deeper than they seem.
Remember you and others will have a longer braking distance.
Bikes can get you home long after the trams ‘n trains have gone to sleep
Don’t be afraid to go out in the early hours of the morning. There are few cars and the streets are empty.
Lights
Use front beam lights to see and flashing lights to be seen. Lights on your helmet are more visible.
Buy lights that take standard battery types. (AA or AAA)
Carry spare batteries in your puncture kit.
Being Reflective
Add reflective material, tape and stickers to your helmet, clothing, shoes, bike and bags.
Reflective tape, fabric and stickers can be sourced from hardware stores, boating and cycle shops and road construction sites.
Riding Behaviour
Watch out for drunk pedestrians who may lunge at you.
Look for car headlights at side streets and from behind.
Riding at night can be liberating.
Which Lock To Use
Cable locks are easily cut.
Get a good d-lock, the more you spend, the better the lock.
Use a cable as well for extra security.
Where ‘N How to Lock
Don’t lock to poles that can be lifted out of the ground.
Lock in visible areas with lots of light and pedestrian traffic.
Check your lock before leaving.
What Does Your Bike Look Like?
Remove your lights etc or secure with super glue or cable ties.
Disguise your bike with stickers; wrap the frame with electrical tape or old inner tubes.
Replace quick releases with bolts or secure with hose clamps.
Get your bike engraved (free) by the Bicycle Police 9247 5517
If Your Bike Is Stolen!
Report it to the police visit pawn shops with a photo/description of your bike. E-mail the urbanbicyclist project
Scoring the Door Prize
Parked cars can be more dangerous than moving ones.
Car doors are the number one cause of bike accidents in the city.
It’s Illegal to Open Doors into Traffic
To avoid doors look:
· through CAR windows for heads
· in mirrors of trucks and vans
· at cars that have just parked
· at cars’ tail lights
Riding In the Door Zone
If you can’t see into cars, ride slower or move out of the door zone.
Be aware of what’s behind you if you have to swerve out.
If A Door Opens In Front Of You
Don’t waste your time fiddling with a horn or bell, go for your brakes and scream! Move out but don’t swing into traffic.
If You Get Hit
If you get doored and injured or damage results, it is a traffic accident and details must be exchanged. Report uncooperative motorists to the police.
Accident: You will go into shock
Although it is difficult to prepare for this, understand you and others involved will not behave rationally after an accident.
Ensure the scene is safe before taking further action
You must give assistance to any injured person. Call for police and an ambulance if required. Dial 000 on any phone. Record the number Plate, Model and colour of all cars involved in the accident. Include a description of the drivers. Before people leave Collect names and phone numbers of as many witnesses as practically possible.
Exchange details
Names, addresses, vehicle registration vehicle owner details, including the drivers license number should be exchanged with all involved. Collect insurance details from all motorists involved.
Record All This on Paper Keep a Copy for Yourself
Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium, 2004
Here’s several links and useful tips to counter the negativity and pointless fear factor. Even if you’re not a cyclist, read on and increase your awareness of what we have to encounter. If you’re a cyclist, brush up on your knowledge.
Our Reporting incidents and police links page has vital information if you require police assistance and wish to report a incident.
Canberra Cycling Club: How to Survive Road Hazards
By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com
Cycling is a unique sport because its arena is the open road. That’s the same place frequented by traffic, potholes, snarling dogs and absentminded pedestrians. But sometimes we’re our own worst enemy. Inattention and poor technique can put us on the pavement as fast as any hazard. Use these tips and you’ll be less likely to take a tumble. Always ride with your head up. While cruising along, it’s tempting to stare at the whirling pattern of the front spokes or fixate on your cyclecomputer’s numbers. A momentary downward glance that lasts just a second too long can mean riding into a problem that could easily have been avoided.
Bicycle Life: Bicycle Commuter’s Guide - Share the Road - Tips & Techniques
Do you know how to ride a bicycle? Many people realize that riding a bicycle instead of driving a car saves the noise, stinks, and congestion of the infernal combustion engine. Do you know the personal benefits of cycle commuting? Cycling offers pleasure, companionship (ride with a buddy), cost savings (especially if you eliminate a motor vehicle), time savings (combining workout with commuting), reduced stress, and cardiovascular fitness. A bicycle can be a “fitness club on two wheels.” Riding is fun and makes you feel good.
Bicycle Victoria: Harassment and road rage: What you can do
It can be a frightening and intimidating experience to be harassed while riding your bike. Most bike riders are shaken and angry after an incident but feel powerless to do anything about it. Depending on the exact nature of the behaviour there are a number of steps you can take.
Bicycle Institute of South Australia: Road Rage and Road Abuse
Road rage, in which one road user aggressively injures another, is extremely rare. Injuries due to other causes are much, much commoner. Road Abuse, which is where cyclists experience abuse or rude behaviour but not injury, is more common. It’s unpleasant, but very very seldom escalates to road rage. Nevertheless, we need to know good ways to handle Road Abuse.
How to Not Get Hit by Cars by Michael Bluejay
This page is reproduced from BicycleSafe with modifications for Australia. This page shows you real ways you can get hit and real ways to avoid them. This is a far cry from normal bike safety guides, which usually tell you little more than to wear your helmet and to follow the law.
From the urbanbicyclist project :: top tricks ‘n hints for RIDING IN TRAFFIC Melbourne City Rider Guide
Use the Street Space
Use sightlines to find gaps in the traffic and look ahead and around corners.
Changing Traffic Lights
Ride over black circular traffic light sensors at intersections to change the lights.
Take the Lane / Share the Lane
Depending on lane width and traffic speed use the remaining space or take the whole lane.
Positioning In the Traffic Flow
Be aware of drivers’ blind spots next to rear doors. Use vehicles for cover at intersections (cross tram tracks at wide angles). Be aware of what’s behind you. Look for any gaps in the traffic pattern and immediate street environment such as spaces between parked cars, kerbs and buildings.
Preparing Your Bike
Make your own mudguards using drink bottles or plastic folders. Keep a plastic bag stuffed under your seat for waterproofing when parking in the rain. Clean your brakes & rims after rain.
What to Carry
Get a good waterproof jacket, don’t compromise on style!
Spray your shoes & bag with waterproof sealant.
Carry a spare pair o socks in a plastic bag.
Keep a change of clothes at work/uni. Get a good bag. Use plastic bags inside for your books etc.
Riding In the Wet
Watch out for slippery metal grates and covers, especially when turning.
Beware! Puddles may be deeper than they seem.
Remember you and others will have a longer braking distance.
Bikes can get you home long after the trams ‘n trains have gone to sleep
Don’t be afraid to go out in the early hours of the morning. There are few cars and the streets are empty.
Lights
Use front beam lights to see and flashing lights to be seen. Lights on your helmet are more visible.
Buy lights that take standard battery types. (AA or AAA)
Carry spare batteries in your puncture kit.
Being Reflective
Add reflective material, tape and stickers to your helmet, clothing, shoes, bike and bags.
Reflective tape, fabric and stickers can be sourced from hardware stores, boating and cycle shops and road construction sites.
Riding Behaviour
Watch out for drunk pedestrians who may lunge at you.
Look for car headlights at side streets and from behind.
Riding at night can be liberating.
Which Lock To Use
Cable locks are easily cut.
Get a good d-lock, the more you spend, the better the lock.
Use a cable as well for extra security.
Where ‘N How to Lock
Don’t lock to poles that can be lifted out of the ground.
Lock in visible areas with lots of light and pedestrian traffic.
Check your lock before leaving.
What Does Your Bike Look Like?
Remove your lights etc or secure with super glue or cable ties.
Disguise your bike with stickers; wrap the frame with electrical tape or old inner tubes.
Replace quick releases with bolts or secure with hose clamps.
Get your bike engraved (free) by the Bicycle Police 9247 5517
If Your Bike Is Stolen!
Report it to the police visit pawn shops with a photo/description of your bike. E-mail the urbanbicyclist project
Scoring the Door Prize
Parked cars can be more dangerous than moving ones.
Car doors are the number one cause of bike accidents in the city.
It’s Illegal to Open Doors into Traffic
To avoid doors look:
· through CAR windows for heads
· in mirrors of trucks and vans
· at cars that have just parked
· at cars’ tail lights
Riding In the Door Zone
If you can’t see into cars, ride slower or move out of the door zone.
Be aware of what’s behind you if you have to swerve out.
If A Door Opens In Front Of You
Don’t waste your time fiddling with a horn or bell, go for your brakes and scream! Move out but don’t swing into traffic.
If You Get Hit
If you get doored and injured or damage results, it is a traffic accident and details must be exchanged. Report uncooperative motorists to the police.
Accident: You will go into shock
Although it is difficult to prepare for this, understand you and others involved will not behave rationally after an accident.
Ensure the scene is safe before taking further action
You must give assistance to any injured person. Call for police and an ambulance if required. Dial 000 on any phone. Record the number Plate, Model and colour of all cars involved in the accident. Include a description of the drivers. Before people leave Collect names and phone numbers of as many witnesses as practically possible.
Exchange details
Names, addresses, vehicle registration vehicle owner details, including the drivers license number should be exchanged with all involved. Collect insurance details from all motorists involved.
Record All This on Paper Keep a Copy for Yourself
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