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We’ve all heard about defensive driving but what about “Defensive Cycling”?  Defensive Cycling can be defined as:

“Involves proactive riding to avoid hazards by maintaining high visibility, scanning far ahead, and anticipating driver actions.”

 
Key techniques include riding 1m from the curb, taking the lane when necessary for safety, establishing eye contact with drivers, and using hand signals. Always assume you are invisible, maintain a safe speed, and keep fingers on brake levers. Whilst defensive cycling often covers our interactions with cars, it also is important on shared paths as well.

High Visibility

In April we covered the use of lights, even in daylight hours. Wearing bright colours also increases your visibility but nothing is as good as being part of a group ride. A group of riders, all with lights flashing, is impossible to miss.

Lights are not expensive and, using rechargeable batteries, there is no cost in using them. If it alerts just one driver, they have more than paid for themselves.

Anticipation

We cannot control the actions of other road users. Drivers will do unexpected U turns, pull into a “No Stopping Zone”, or do things that are illegal or just plain stupid. You must assume the worst at all times and be prepared to take evasive action. 

You must also anticipate the actions of other cyclists in your group. Riders should call when slowing or stopping but riders must always anticipate what those in front of them may do and be ready to react.

It’s great being out with friends but don’t let idle conversation impact your concentration on what is happening around you. One Ride Leader occasionally calls “Focus” to get riders to focus on particularly hazardous areas approaching.

Bike computers can also distract us from focussing on our environment and preventing anticipation.

Let’s look at some specifics.

Round-a-Bouts and Chicanes

Often, we will be riding on a shoulder but these generally disappear when approaching a round-a-bout or a chicane, requiring a merge with traffic or risk being crunched into the gutter. Don’t leave it to the last few metres to merge. Depending on pace, around 50 metres out:
Step1: If you have a rear vision mirror, check there are no cars near you. If not,
Step 2: Turn your head and check for cars. If clear,
Step 3: Signal, moving right.
Step 4: Move to the centre of the lane. This is called “claiming the lane”
Step 5: When you have moved through the round-a-bout move back to the shoulder when it is safe to do so. If cars have caught up to you, you do not want to aggravate drivers any more.
Step 6: Signal thanks to any cars that have been patient.

This applies to chicanes as well.

Narrow Roads

Under NSW Road Rules, drivers are required to give 1 metre clearance to all cyclists where the speed zone is up to 60kph. Above this speed limit, 1.5 metres clearance must be provided. Where the road is very narrow, and passing would be illegal or dangerous, cyclists are entitled to “Claim the Lane”.

Using the technique described for round-a-bouts, claim the lane by moving to the centre of the lane where it is safe to do so, preventing cars from dangerously overtaking.

Car Turning Left

In NSW it is illegal to pass a car on the left if they are indicating a left-hand turn. This includes if you are on a market shoulder.  It’s also stupid and dangerous. If you are on a group ride, call “car turning left” and hang back until the car has gone.

These are just a few ways to ride defensively. The key point is to anticipate and act early. Safety doesn’t happen by accident, it takes planning and defensive cycling.