The essential guide for new commuters

Top 20 tips for those considering a commute through the city.

If you are new to cycling, or have any concerns about riding through a city, then this guide is perfect for you.

The link below will download our guide representing a compilation of ideas and thoughts from the members of the Cycle Chat community, to help keep you prepared and safe.

It will be regularly updated to accommodate changes in topic and riding practice.

Just click the link below to begin the download, its a pretty large document so, depending on your 'tinternet speed it may take a few seconds to complete.

Good Luck


Jonny

DROP-BOX LINK
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http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/revamped 3.pdf

I've not had time to read it all yet JJ but it looks the part, well done.

Bloody hell, that looks a mighty task, well done, well done indeed.

Downloaded - can't wait to read...

Not read it all, but what I did read looks great

Perhaps a mention of different road types. For instance, if I was on a duel carriageway I would always hold primary in the inside lane to encourage motorists to overtake in the outside lane, and to stop people squeezing past in the inside lane (while undertaking someone in the outside lane).

Some roads, especially in London seem to have up to 5 lanes going the same way, which even I would find quite daunting so maybe something on how best to go about it. Probably, know where you're going and allow plenty of time to get in the lane.

Jonny, v good work.

Could you punctuate this para with a full stop (at the moment it gives terrible advice!):

If there is oncoming traffic either don't filter and wait in line or filter closer to the same direction traffic in your lane (but more circumspectly), or consider undertaking high-sided vehicles - be extra careful if you're going to filter right beyond them as not only can you not see ahead of them, but they might not see you and can kill you at crawling pace...Better to stay behind them in a position that they can see you in their mirrors - do not go on their left.

To:

or consider undertaking. High-sided vehicles - be extra careful if you're going to filter right beyond...

the power of a full stop!!!

well spotted, I'll do it now and update

Looks great, had a quick shuffty through it. Not fully read it yet though.

One comment I noticed upon quickly glancing through it:

In the bike category section

this hole should be whole

I will read in more detail later, and I expect I'll enjoy it

Done

Good spot Rob3rt, I'll change this in a little while as I am sure there will be more typos to adjust.

I wanted to change origamists bit swiftly as it was in danger of mis-interpreted by new riders

My do comment is incorrect, the sentence doesnt need a do, that was my mistake in reading it, hence I edited out of my post, but you got in there fast

Great stuff. A couple of minor typos for you to fix (changes in bold):

p. 5

Should be

p. 9

Should be

p. 15

Should be

p. 15: big space between "one and a half times the" and "distance of your ride"

All in all, great stuff, really useful.

Thanks Benb...all noted and will be adjusted on the "typo sweep up" later today.

No prob. Maybe I missed my calling - I should have been a proofreader.

Jonny, great work.

This is a really good piece and Ill download it and share it with newbie riders (gf, her sisters). A few typos and general cleaning, but its nearly ready. I did notice an incomplete section during the first read, but when I just downloaded it to find out page numbers, its already been corrected!

Good work

Fantastic! I've downloaded and have sent copies to two new riders that I've been buddying on their commutes.

Good work. I liked it.

One issue was the idea of looking back every twenty seconds. I don't know about anyone else but I tend not to do this unless I am moving to the right or turning right, otherwise you could be giving the impression that you are about to turn right; with or without hand signals.

If I was driving and saw a cyclist checking back so often I would start to drop back in anticipation of a right turn or filtering in. It would make me more nervous about an overtake, even if I could give a full car's width to do so, in case the cyclist side-swiped me.

I tend to use my ears for traffic behind unless I am about to merge with it or turn right.

Otherwise a great article for beginners and a good reminder for us veterans!

Just my twopenneth.

This is one of the reasons that cyclists look back regularly! 20 secs is not that often, you could do it more...

Thanks Zippy.

I do know what you mean.

I guess that's what the guide is for, to help new and exerienced riders share tips.

For my part I dont look back nearly enough, its a fault I am aware of and I am improving it (with good results). You'll notice that I phrased it "SOME people suggest once every 20 sec's"...it depends on your ride, but as this is a City Specific guide, I would suggest we leave it as is, after all, it doesent hurt to look back more often than not.

By the way, it only needs to be a glance at your right shoulder, not a look in the eye of the following vehicle. (which I agree could be confusing...although Origamist has a good point there)

I promise I wont debate every question raised...honest...its not my guide it "yours"

what do the others think of looking back?

to help you keep track, you can spot a "revision" reference in the bottom right hand corner along with an update date.

This should help a little.