When I first started getting into cycling about 7 years ago, I talked to a lot of women and found that safety was the biggest factor putting them off. I fully understood the fears as I had come to cycling as a non-driver and was pretty much pretrified, but detemind to quash my fears and give it a go.
Despite many more women taking to two wheels in recent years, safety is still up there are as the biggest barrier.
Fortunately, facilities for cycling are set to get better in London with Boris spending more money to transform problem roads and junctions, and organisations such as LCC fighting tirelessly on the matter. (See LCC’s new campaign Space for cycling as a away to get invloved at a grass roots level.)
BUT the main thing we can do to keep oursleves safe is to be the BEST CYCLISTS WE CAN BE. Be constantly alert and aware, always be as visible to other road users as possible, know your high way code, don’t ever just ‘wing it’, lose concentration or take a risk.
Here’s a few tips that might help if you are just getting going on your bike this spring or if you have been cycling for a while but still feel nervous.
- Have a lesson: I had a lesson when I first started cycling and another one after I had my baby and had not been cycling so fequently. Both were invaluable. There were one-on-one sessions, both subsidised by the local council. Take a look at Cycletraininguk for more details or look at your local borogh’s website.
- Practice: The picture above shows the high-five exercise I was taught on my first cycling lesson. It’s a great one for learning to cycle whilst taking one hand off the bike; a key skill to ensure you can cycle safley and indicate. Doing exercises in the park, if you feel a bit wobbly, is a great way to build your skills and confidence.
- Positioning: Most cycle accidents happen because the driver has not seen the cyclist. Adopting the correct position is key to ensuring you are as visible as possible.
- Swat up on your Higway code: If you’re not a driver, make sure you know your highway code. It will help you loads when you are on the roads.
The Girls Bicycle Handbook is out on 3rd April and avilable to but from Amazon or Cyclechic.
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