Danger! Road Ahead!

I was talking to a very experienced cyclist the other day who said "the roads are dangerous". This struck me as quite alarming. Roads are busy. Some drivers do behave badly. However, good cycling dramatically reduces most dangers. There are a number of things cyclists should be doing:

• Cycling a sensible distance away from the curb (as previously posted)
• Taking control of the lane at critical points such as approaching junctions and road narrowings
• Being aware of everything around you, especially looking behind and getting the attention of the following driver
• Planning early and telling other road users what you're about to do
• Cycling at a sensible speed - not too fast and not too slow
• Ensuring your bicycle is in good nick

This isn't rocket science but few cyclists I see out and about are doing these things. Because bikes are affordable and easy to use, we just get on them and ride. Then we whinge about other road users and complain that roads aren't safe and this leads to pressure to create cycling facilities many of which are really dangerous for cyclists. (more on that later!)

The new initiative from CTC, Safety In Numbers is a great idea. The order of the actions seems to be wrong:

1. Encourage safer driving
   
2. Improve the road environment and make it more welcoming for cyclists
   
3. Fund schemes that promote cycling positively and improve confidence
   

Let's concentrate on improving cyclists' skills first not last! The infrastructure's already in place to do this. There are qualified instructors throughout the UK. We have the National Standards and Bikeability. At the same time, let's crackdown on rubbish cycling! (this includes the boy racers who insist on cycling everywhere at break neck speed whatever the situation)  

The roads are not dangerous if we know how to cycle on them properly. So, get more people on their bikes by giving them the training that will make them more confident and safer.

Minister Cycle Training

Had a good cycle training session with Paul Clark and a couple of members from his team.

Paul is the MP for Gillingham as well as the Minister for Sustainable Transport and a very nice chap. 

Spencer (www.cyclecircle.co.uk) and I started the training at The Strand in Gillingham. The weather was a bit windy but bright and sunny. The venue was ideal, on National Cycle Route 1, with loos, a cafe and tennis courts we could hire and use for the Level 1 activities. After some initial nerves everyone progressed well. After a tea break we went out onto the quieter roads in the area to practice the Level 2 disciplines. Again the location was ideal with different sites available to practice the different drills and so many drivers demonstrating their poor road skills. All the trainees including Paul demonstrated the necessary outcomes to reach Level 2. We finished with a press photocall. 

As ever the Level 2 Route included examples of cycle facilities. We enjoyed showing Paul the 15 foot long cycle lane and the sign post containing the signs for National Cycle Route 1 and the instruction "Cyclists Dismount"!

Photos from the session are on Flickr 

Bikeability £10m

The sun is out. The sky is blue. And the government has just announced a grant of £10m to help pay for 200,000 children's Bikeability cycle training.
In Kent it's not clear how this money will be allocated. Hopefully we will hear soon.
Paul Clark the minister who annonced the grant said "I will be doing my own Bikeability training next week and, like the children I've met today, I look forward to hopefully receiving my Bikeability badge." Well, Spencer and I will be training the minister next week and he will get his appropriate Bikeability Level badge according to the outcomes he can demonstrate.