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Comment by djhworld | Hacker News Reader

I live and work in London, and while cycling would free me from the shackles of public transport, I am almost certain I would be killed on the roads within 6 months.

Cycling is dangerous when you share such tight little roads with 20 tonne trucks, cars and other vehicles.

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I've been riding seriously for 18+ months, in rural and urban environments in the South of England. I get nervous when I think about the accidents I read or hear about in the news, but I have never had any problems with deliberate harassment, and only a couple of times when people have been careless and I had to bellow at them (works incredibly well, bellowing).

Training and hi-viz are everything: I have lights for daylight running and a fluorescent jacket.

Jacket: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackrock-Workwear-Highland-Visibili... Headlamp: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lumen-Cycling-Bicycle-Light-HeadLigh... Blinkies: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cateye-HL-LD130-TL-LD130-Light-Set/d...

Also, learning how to ride correctly has made a huge difference, try this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclecraft-complete-enjoyable-cyclin...

If you want the reassurance of a helmet (I have mixed opinions) get a Specialized since they're made to a higher standard than most other brands.

Try to find quieter routes if you want to try riding. This app can help:

http://www.transportdirect.info/web2/journeyplanning/findcyc...

As can scouting your route using street-view, etc.

Try it, you should live :) And as OA says, you'll live well too.

Thanks very much - that app shows me a quiet way from home (Raynes Park) to work (Leatherhead); 13.4 miles. It's far enough off the busy roads I know that I would never have discovered it unaided. On to Street View... then the forecast is good for New Year's day, so it's a good opportunity for a practice run.

Looks like the forecast for new year's held out. I'll be able to get back on my bike for the first time in three weeks (flu + weather).

Cyclestreets route planning is simply amazing at its best and has mobile web and apps too:

http://m.cyclestreets.net/

Base data comes via OpenStreetMap but various Uk cycling orgs and quangos have contributed too.

Most London boroughs offer free cycle training, even to adults who've cycled a great deal in the past. If there isn't anything free then there are plenty you can pay for, if it gets you free from public transport it may definitely be worth doing it.

I've cycle commuted in London for years and still try and find a course once a year to go on to keep my knowledge fresh.

You'll learn lots of things; what not to do, how to ride assertively (not aggressively), how to ride defensively, when to ride assertively or defensively, the greatest dangers and how to mitigate those risks, etc.

Birmingham UK: similar issues on a smaller scale. Many cyclists take to the pavements instead that causes other issues (I'm getting quite good at jumping out of the way). The organised cyclists used to have 'critical mass' riding now and again

http://www.birminghamcyclist.com/group/criticalmass

seems to have gone off a bit.

I'm guessing you watched the recent BBC documentary about the 'war' between cyclists and other road users?

As long as you have your wits about you, take all reasonable precautions (helmet, lights, high-vis clothing, etc.) and ride defensively, I don't see much that can go wrong.

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