Commuting 101

[Dial]

So what are the secrets to surviving on the road?

1. Abide by the road rules. Pissing off motorists is not a good idea and lets face it, they’re pissed off already. Lets not make us the target.

…

[hartleymartin]

2.) Ride at least 1 metre from the gutter and/or any parked cars.

3.) If riding in a lane, ride in the centre of the lane - it discourages drivers trying to squeeze past you and to properly change lanes instead. Also, if a driver does come too close, it gives you room to swerve left. Some drivers just have no idea how wide their vehicles are.

[Pax]

My suggestions to add to your number

1. Make yourself very visible

3. Ride defensively (be alert & observant & expect drivers to make errors/not see you etc)

3. Ride confidently & assertively

4. Be predictable & clear in your actions

[gavinr]

1. Abide by the road rules.…

Particularly the rules about lights. Fitting and using them on your bike, and stopping at the red ones in the street.

[casual_cyclist]

1. Make yourself very visible

This includes clothing and lighting.

[Strawburger]

Apart from the ones mentioned

Don't rush or try to make time up / take risks because you are on a good run. By this i mean avoid:

running red lights
squeeze through small gaps between traffic
Overtake on the wrong side of traffic / inside of large vehicles
take on pedestrians at pedestrian crossings
squeeze between pedestrians at high speed
Approach intersections at high speed
slipstream vehicles

[bigfriendlyvegan]

Riding should be enjoyed, not endured.

[Mulger bill]

Ride as if you are surrounded by homicidal idiots, it only takes one real one...
Treat the above as a daily challenge, CBD riding is a great sport
TAKE THE LANE!!!

[sogood]

Think and anticipate what motor vehicle drivers are doing, and avoid those possible risk situations.

Otherwise, keep your cool, take your time, stay visible, take the lane.

[nickobec]

Ride as if you are surrounded by homicidal idiots

almost

Ride as if you are surrounded by blind homicidal idiots

Know what you are capable of and what you are not. (ie On a flat I can out accelerate a bus, but not all small tin boxes of death).

Know your route, the short cuts, the tricks and beware the blind and deaf suicidal pedestrians.

[casual_cyclist]

...beware the blind and deaf suicidal pedestrians.

+1 Don't be afraid to shout out oi! as loud as you can to get their attention

[hartleymartin]

...beware the blind and deaf suicidal pedestrians.

+1 Don't be afraid to shout out oi! as loud as you can to get their attention

+2 That includes little kids with no perception of danger.

[Mulger bill]

...beware the blind and deaf suicidal pedestrians.

+1 Don't be afraid to shout out oi! as loud as you can to get their attention

+2 That includes little kids with no perception of danger.

Oops, missed one, thanks Drubie. +3.
OI!!! beats 99% of audible warning devices.
Not knowing the limits is prolly where a lot of problems lie.

Shaun

[Boognoss]

+1 Don't be afraid to shout out oi! as loud as you can to get their attention

+2 That includes little kids with no perception of danger.

Oops, missed one, thanks Drubie. +3.
OI!!! beats 99% of audible warning devices.
Not knowing the limits is prolly where a lot of problems lie.

Shaun

My Air Zound is the 1%

[trailgumby]

Subscribe to the Theory of BIG

[tcurtbike]

Always assume:

a) that people don't use their mirrors.
and
b) that people turn without indicating.

The two most common causes of accidents I've been involved in while commuting.

[Kalgrm]

Flexi-time and the BOM rain radar can help keep you dry on your commute. Choose when to ride based on what the showers are doing between home and work.

Cheers,
Graeme

[mylesau]

the BOM rain radar can help keep you dry on your commute

Great tip - I use it, and can usually pick a gap between showers when it's not pouring rain.

[Chanboy]

Get a rear vision mirror
use your bell, horn to warn pedestrians you are approaching (and don't wait till you are right on top of them to warn them). Some bikes are almost silent when rolling.

[itsaghostcar]

Keep an eye on car tyres - they give you an idea of what the driver might be about to do (ie swerve into your lane without indicating)

Same applies for car reverse lights

[BandedRail]

Always assume:

a) that people don't use their mirrors.
and
b) that people turn without indicating.

The two most common causes of accidents I've been involved in while commuting.

And don't assume that because a motorist is indicating that they intend to turn, I've nearly been cleaned out twice by making that mistake. Last time they even changed into the right-turning lane before accelerating back into the straight ahead lane, indicating a right turn the whole way, I don't think I'll ever get the stain out of those pants

[Dial]

Some good advice there although I do make 2 exceptions to my first remark about abiding by the road rules

1. Don't ride on the pavement. In some cases where the road is 3 lanes you get nutters rat-running up the inside lane. Normally at 10-20k above the speed limit, it's just not safe. There's a 1k stretch on my way home where I ride the footpath. If I ever get pinged for it I'll happily pay the fine.

2. Passing cars on the inside. In bumper to bumper traffic I find riding between the inside and middle lane safer and easier. No grates, more room and less risk of someone opening a door on you. Plus as the traffic starts to move, you have 2 lanes to choose from.