J
Just Zis Guy
Guest
Last Week's Oxford Mail had an article entitled "a scary way
to travel" which described a load of horrors which can be
avoided by following Cyclecraft (can't find a link to the
original story).
I wrote to them and they printed it: http://www.thisisoxfor-
dshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/news/TOPLETTER0.html
Careful cyclists avoid the scares
=================================
Sir -- At the risk of being contrary, every one of the
problems encountered in your piece 'A scary way to travel'
(Oxford Mail, May 5) can be minimised or avoided by correct
technique.
It is amazing how much less scary cycling is when you follow
Cyclecraft (John Franklin, The Stationery Office, ISBN 0 11
702051 6).
The biggest difference comes when you ride with your wheels
more or less in the left-hand wheeltrack of the motorised
traffic. Not only does this make you easier to see, it
avoids punctures and encourages drivers to give you space.
Oxford has some cycle lanes which are narrower than this
(and much narrower than the recommended minimum width in
Cycle Friendly Infrastructure). You can ignore them.
The city also has one of the best systems in the world for
keeping cyclists safe: lots of other cyclists.
Drivers are expecting bikes, so if we behave predictably
everyone knows what to do and life becomes less stressful
all round.
Never pass on the left of a large vehicle. If you're passing
a line of traffic it's usually safer to pass on the right,
slowly, and keep an eye out for pedestrians between
vehicles. Cover those brakes!
Just these few simple tricks make your "scary way to travel"
much safer and more enjoyable.
Of course, Eric Martlew thinks riding a tricycle in the park
is so dangerous you should be criminalised if you allow your
child to do so without a helmet.
Me? I ride every day, and it doesn't scare me.
--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
Victory is ours! Down with Eric the Half A Brain!
to travel" which described a load of horrors which can be
avoided by following Cyclecraft (can't find a link to the
original story).
I wrote to them and they printed it: http://www.thisisoxfor-
dshire.co.uk/oxfordshire/news/TOPLETTER0.html
Careful cyclists avoid the scares
=================================
Sir -- At the risk of being contrary, every one of the
problems encountered in your piece 'A scary way to travel'
(Oxford Mail, May 5) can be minimised or avoided by correct
technique.
It is amazing how much less scary cycling is when you follow
Cyclecraft (John Franklin, The Stationery Office, ISBN 0 11
702051 6).
The biggest difference comes when you ride with your wheels
more or less in the left-hand wheeltrack of the motorised
traffic. Not only does this make you easier to see, it
avoids punctures and encourages drivers to give you space.
Oxford has some cycle lanes which are narrower than this
(and much narrower than the recommended minimum width in
Cycle Friendly Infrastructure). You can ignore them.
The city also has one of the best systems in the world for
keeping cyclists safe: lots of other cyclists.
Drivers are expecting bikes, so if we behave predictably
everyone knows what to do and life becomes less stressful
all round.
Never pass on the left of a large vehicle. If you're passing
a line of traffic it's usually safer to pass on the right,
slowly, and keep an eye out for pedestrians between
vehicles. Cover those brakes!
Just these few simple tricks make your "scary way to travel"
much safer and more enjoyable.
Of course, Eric Martlew thinks riding a tricycle in the park
is so dangerous you should be criminalised if you allow your
child to do so without a helmet.
Me? I ride every day, and it doesn't scare me.
--
Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after
posting. http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
Victory is ours! Down with Eric the Half A Brain!
