Does Cycling Make You a Better Driver?
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Does Cycling Make You a Better Driver?
On a recent trip out of the city we're on a highway that is heavily travelled by both vehicles and cyclists. We're in a long line of traffic following 'an old man with a hat' who's driving a honking big motorhome. And then the inevitable happens....he wheels into the shoulder like it's his own personal lane to let the faster traffic pass. I cringe everytime I see some idiot do this....and it's always on an uphill or approaching a corner.
So this gets me to thinking....if the driver of the motorhome had ever been a cyclist, he would never have contemplated driving in the shoulder. Or would he?
Does being a cyclist make you a better driver?
So this gets me to thinking....if the driver of the motorhome had ever been a cyclist, he would never have contemplated driving in the shoulder. Or would he?
Does being a cyclist make you a better driver?
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Until recently I had a little sports car that I couldn't resist driving hard. It cam to me one day, as I took a highway curve far beyond the recommended speed, that the skills needed for riding a bicycle fast (xc, dh and road) are similar. Quick reflexes, thinking well ahead, braking, peripheral vision --- ahhhhh... can't wait to go on a ride tonight.
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I used to think so but then I started looking for my helmet mirror to see behind me and began taking bunches of back roads. Sometimes I'll try to bunnyhop my car over a pothole. It's a good thing cars can't "pop a wheelie".
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Originally posted by Rotifer
It came to me one day, as I took a highway curve far beyond the recommended speed, that the skills needed for riding a bicycle fast (xc, dh and road) are similar. Quick reflexes, thinking well ahead, braking, peripheral vision
It came to me one day, as I took a highway curve far beyond the recommended speed, that the skills needed for riding a bicycle fast (xc, dh and road) are similar. Quick reflexes, thinking well ahead, braking, peripheral vision
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They're the ones that jump the green light without looking to make sure no one is running a red light.
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#6
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by Rotifer
Good point. Another thing I have learned to do is make eye contact with other drives to ascertain their next move.
Good point. Another thing I have learned to do is make eye contact with other drives to ascertain their next move.
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Another problem is the trying to figure out someone's intentions when they themselves have no idea.
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Better driver? Sure. I think every driver's licence should include 2 weeks of mandatory cycling in all kinds of road conditions. It WILL change the way you pay attention in traffic.
--J
--J
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Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
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To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
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Originally posted by Juha
It WILL change the way you pay attention in traffic.
--J
It WILL change the way you pay attention in traffic.
--J
Carl
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I think you're certainly more aware of your surroundings... Just the other day I drove through Cambridge on Mass Ave (I'm waiting for some parts for my commuter, and the kronan and me just were not up for a 10 mile ride each way on a 97 degree day)... anyway, on Mass Ave in Central Sq. and some nimrod decided the bike lane was an ample driving lane for his Kia (until he hit all the cars that use it as a parking lane that are left un-ticketed even when the local police walk/ride past) ... i grew very upset and tried to catch the blockhead - needless to say i could not, he had the ignorant-advantage. Anyway, I think more than a weekend casual cycler makes you at the very least much more aware and courteous of the other users - at least it does me.
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Originally posted by Bikes-N-Drums
I used to think so but then I started looking for my helmet mirror to see behind me...
I used to think so but then I started looking for my helmet mirror to see behind me...
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It is my understanding that qualification to drive a London cab requires a significant amount of time on a bicycle, or at least it used to.
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Yes. As a cyclist I view every other moving object as a deadly projectile, therefore I ride very defensively.
I've noticed this mindset is with me in my automobile, too. I drive slightly slower than in the past (could it be I'm just older) and seem to be more aware of what's going on around me.
I've noticed this mindset is with me in my automobile, too. I drive slightly slower than in the past (could it be I'm just older) and seem to be more aware of what's going on around me.
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Definately. Also as a motorcyclist my observation skills have been honed. People driving me in cars hate it when I glance round when they start to change lanes though.
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1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
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1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
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Originally posted by WoodyUpstate
Yes. As a cyclist I view every other moving object as a deadly projectile, therefore I ride very defensively.
I've noticed this mindset is with me in my automobile, too. I drive slightly slower than in the past (could it be I'm just older) and seem to be more aware of what's going on around me.
Yes. As a cyclist I view every other moving object as a deadly projectile, therefore I ride very defensively.
I've noticed this mindset is with me in my automobile, too. I drive slightly slower than in the past (could it be I'm just older) and seem to be more aware of what's going on around me.
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I've noticed this mindset is with me in my automobile, too. I drive slightly slower than in the past (could it be I'm just older) and seem to be more aware of what's going on around me.
my many years motorcycling and many many years bicycling have REALLY increased my awareness when driving a car. on a bike/motorcycle you are so much more vulnerable and the consequences of a mistake so much more severe that you really learn to watch, observe, anticipate... a car separates and isolates you from the road and the "outside world" so you often feel it's OK to go really fast, take chances, not really pay attention -- that it's just routine and safe.
i really do wish that all people had to first ride either a bicycle, moped or motorcycle BEFORE being allowed to get a car driver's license. still require no licensing for bicycles, but in order to earn a driver's license include some kind pre-driving bicycle training (say age 13-15) with bike rules, laws and safety principles and then proof of certain number of hours and/or bike skills test BEFORE getting an auto learner's permit or taking driver's education.
i think it would also help reduce the really high "new driver" "accident" rate...
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Originally posted by nathank
i really do wish that all people had to first ride either a bicycle, moped or motorcycle BEFORE being allowed to get a car driver's license. still require no licensing for bicycles, but in order to earn a driver's license include some kind pre-driving bicycle training (say age 13-15) with bike rules, laws and safety principles and then proof of certain number of hours and/or bike skills test BEFORE getting an auto learner's permit or taking driver's education.
i think it would also help reduce the really high "new driver" "accident" rate...
i really do wish that all people had to first ride either a bicycle, moped or motorcycle BEFORE being allowed to get a car driver's license. still require no licensing for bicycles, but in order to earn a driver's license include some kind pre-driving bicycle training (say age 13-15) with bike rules, laws and safety principles and then proof of certain number of hours and/or bike skills test BEFORE getting an auto learner's permit or taking driver's education.
i think it would also help reduce the really high "new driver" "accident" rate...
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plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
plus je vois les hommes, plus j'admire les chiens
1985 Sandy Gilchrist-Colin Laing built 531c Audax/fast tourer.
1964 Flying Scot Continental (531)
1995 Cinelli Supercorsa (Columbus SLX)
1980s Holdsworth Mistral fixed (531)
2005 Dahon Speed 6 (folder)
(YES I LIKE STEEL)
2008 Viking Saratoga tandem
2008 Micmo Sirocco Hybrid (aluminium!)
2012 BTwin Rockrider 8.1
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Originally posted by chewa
I agree and seem to recall that Jackie Stewart (the greatest racing driver of all time and a Scot)
I agree and seem to recall that Jackie Stewart (the greatest racing driver of all time and a Scot)
Stew