What is the golden rule of cycling?

[gentlegreen]

Don't ride on the fucking pavement​

Or up the inside of cars.

I was on my way home the other week when it was nearly dark, on a poorly-lit road and this youth with barely discernable lighting was an inch from the car in front's bumper - apparently hoping to squeeze between it and a high stone wall - I can't recall if there were any high-sided vans ahead ... thankfully the car didn't let the twat in.

I would have shouted advice to the suicide jockey, but he'd already come up on the inside of me (via the pavement that peters out around there), and had clearly written me off as an over-cautious old codger.

 

[gentlegreen]

Wear a reflective jacket and get some fecking lights.

Exactly how much is your life worth ?

I reckon my life is worth at least the £120 my present set of lights cost me.

 

[oneflewover]

Never assume some one has seen you until you make eye contact

pretend that everyone is secretly trying to kill you.

Be assertive.

And gentlegreen's

"Wear a reflective jacket and get some fecking lights"

 

[SpookyFrank]

Don't get hit by cars. Easier said than done obviously

 

[newme]

I think it is to pretend that everyone is secretly trying to kill you.

Id change that to ASSUME everyone is trying to kill you. Often not far wrong.

 

[nino_savatte]

See and be seen.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Try not to end up under a bus or articulated lorry?

 

[jimadore]

Watch out for opening car doors,and any junction be extra careful ,and potholes in the road are traps made for you by the council or motorist.

 

[Boycey]

ride it like you stole it.

Wear padded gloves so you can rap your knuckles relatively safely on the side windows of cars that invade the cycle path.
(I've calmed down a lot since the days when I was building up to aiming a perfect kick at their doors)

specialized used to have a set of armoured gloves for downhilling which incorporated a natty carbon fibre knuckle protector/duster.

 

[mauvais]

The key principle that I believe one should observe is simply that of being awesome at all times.

 

[baldrick]

be assertive.

i have lost count of the number of fuckwit car drivers who overtake in seriously unsafe places. these days i actively try and prevent them doing so, purely for my own safety.

 

[chainsaw cat]

Don't ride on the fucking pavement​

edit: especially near my kids you bastards.

 

[gentlegreen]

be assertive.

i have lost count of the number of fuckwit car drivers who overtake in seriously unsafe places. these days i actively try and prevent them doing so, purely for my own safety.

I'm relieved not to be the only one.

 

[The Groke]

pedal.

 

[gentlegreen]

pedal.

Especially if your bike is fixed wheel.

 

[Crispy]

The key principle that I believe one should observe is simply that of being awesome at all times.

lesson one in the book of mauvais

 

[swampy]

Watch out for opening car doors,and any junction be extra careful ,and potholes in the road are traps made for you by the council or motorist.

Yup that's my rule, watch out for opening car doors .... I've become fairly skilled at closing the door again as I tootle passed