By: Ernie Buck, British Cycling Cycle Training
Effective Traffic Riding Home | Part 1 - Primary and Secondary Positions | Part 2 - Filtering in Traffic | Part 3 Roundabouts
Download: Effective Traffic Riding eBooklet (2MB PDF)
Part one of a new three part guide from British Cycling on how to ride in modern traffic conditions
Cycling Proficiency served the cycling community well for many years. It was based on the concept of safety for cyclists being afforded by separation from motorized traffic. The constant refrain from former instructors and ‘seasoned’ riders was “get over to the left – keep out of the way of the traffic”.
This was all very well in the halcyon days of quiet country roads, not so many motor vehicles and greater numbers of people riding bikes. On today’s roads with much higher volumes of traffic, being driven by seemingly less patient drivers, cyclists need a whole new set of skills, in fact a completely different way of thinking, in order to ride effectively, and thereby safely, in and with the motoring fraternity. To put it simply, they need to think and behave like advanced drivers. They need to take their rightful place on the road, integrated with the rest of the traffic.
Part 1 - The Primary and Secondary Positions
National Standards (Bikeability) for cyclists represent this new way of thinking; “Cycling Proficiency for the 21st Century” as the strap-line goes. An effective rider always occupies the moving traffic lane, either in its left hand third, roughly in line with the off-side of a car in the same place – thus ensuring that she/he can be seen and that drivers have to manoeuvre to overtake – or, if need be, the middle of the lane – thus preventing being overtaken and leaving themselves free to turn, overtake, change lanes etc. These riding positions are variously known as ‘normal’ and ‘taking the lane’ or, technically, ‘secondary’ and ‘primary’.
Using the Primary position – passing side roads and parked cars
In addition to the manoeuvres mentioned previously, on narrow estate roads, it’s recommended that cyclists take the lane when passing a side road on their left. This enhances their visibility, especially for drivers approaching the junction from the side road who, quite naturally, will be looking in the middle of the lane for other motor vehicles. It also deters an impatient following driver from overtaking, rushing up to the junction and turning sharply in front of the cyclist; sometimes referred to as being ‘left hooked’.
This technique is now taught to children but equally applies to adult riders making the same manoeuvre. Of course, on busy main roads it wouldn’t be practical to adopt a full primary position whilst passing every side road, but a somewhat nuanced version of the technique is still recommended. A glance behind as one approaches a junction, making eye contact with closely following drivers, and ‘edging’ out into the lane slightly further, in effect ‘pushing’ the moving traffic further right, should deter the potential left hook and make one just that bit more easily seen.
This way of riding is, to a large extent, communicating the cyclist’s intention to other road users. In the secondary position, she/he is saying “I want to see and be seen and I don’t mind if you overtake me, but you need to do it safely”. By taking the lane, riding in the primary position, the cyclist is saying “I want to see and be seen and I don’t want to be overtaken right now”.
In addition to these techniques, the overarching watchwords of Observation, Anticipation and Negotiation need to be taken into account. The rider should always know what’s going on around them; where possible making eye contact with drivers and other road users. Looking well ahead, anticipating what the traffic in front is going to do and planning accordingly, should become second nature, and negotiating when necessary with the drivers around them makes for a harmonious journey. This skill set can easily be practiced and mastered by the averagely fit and competent bike handler and, once adopted, turns her/him into a very effective traffic rider.
Part 2 - Filtering in slow moving traffic
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