How to negotiate simple junctions when cycling | Commute Smart

Commute with confidence by understanding how to negotiate junctions safely and the hazards to be aware of.

[@jacc88888]

A lot to remember and one mistake could be costly. I’d leave a bit more time for the commute and stick to side streets (using the same principles of bossing the lane and avoiding car doors) and get off and walk at junctions I’m not confident with - safer, less stressful and less pollution.

[@bertiewooster9222]

when turning right I get many people in cars overtaking me when I am near the white line just before turning, people will overtake, look and look again, never think they wont do it.

[@TheTradge]

I just started cycling to work recently so this is extremely helpful, very clearly and concisely explained, thank you.

[@sneaky_slayerrr]

same but i go to school

[@medievalducky1590]

G'day, I'm a bloke from WA who intends on commuting on the road. This video has helped immenseley.

[@waqasahmed939]

Huh, I was wondering if I did something wrong when turning right. It turns out I was entirely correct.. A couple of cars beeped at me, and asked me "What do you think you're doing" when I had no choice but to be in that lane.

[@joann3190]

It's sad that most drivers think cyclists should only be on the sidewalks, and pedestrians think we should be on the road. It's unsafe for us cyclists to go anywhere.

[@Moshimulations]

@@joann3190 I believe there needs to be more infastructure for bikes, since what they offer in my local collector/Arterial road is nothing but a mess. Having a bike light before the regular light would allow more time for cyclists to not bother you.

[@t-rex4211]

When turning left just imagine your bike is an arctic lorry. This pleases the drivers behind you 😂

[@jaybekko]

This is OK on the Not-so busy roads as per video, and if the car drivers accept you as a legitimate road user. Unfortunately neither of these is the norm. And most 'motor vehicle only' road users are unwilling to share the road with cyclists. :(

[@grahamkelly8662]

I think their main problem with cyclists, is that they feel they get slowed down by them. BUT most roads in London are 20mph and even if you ride at 20-25mph cars still overtake aggressively. Only way cyclists would get left alone, is if we went around 35mph in a 20 and that’s unsafe , not sure about speed laws for cyclists because I’ve heard that there isn’t any. That sounds a bit silly to me if that is true.

[@Moshimulations]

@@grahamkelly8662 Ebikes have rules that states they cannot go over 25KPH/16MPH

[@grahamkelly8662]

@@Moshimulations I know but I don’t follow it! 😭

[@agfagaevart]

@@Moshimulations you mean the LEGAL ebikes.

[@badabing8884]

And if you have a right wing mirror? Do you have to keep turning your head? And to maintain eye contact? Most drivers aren’t even looking at you and too busy in their own world.

[@WhereWeRoll]

Even if you have a mirror looking and getting eye contact helps communicate your intention. Always shoulder check when maneuvering.

[@GuylikeJay]

when i'm trying to turn right, i do arm signal look back, but the cars behind me wont slow down so im forced to keep going straight.. people hate cyclists

[@grahamkelly8662]

YES!!!!! Same with me. I signal that I want to turn , look behind at driver behind and they do not slow down. I either stop and have loads of cars swearing and honking me or I just go straight and turn when the bastard cars will let me. It’s even worse on e scooter to signal by removing hand from handle bars. I still try and enjoy and be as safe as I can be.

[@goonerstv3818]

Easiest way ?? Slow down like basically be in a stationary and slightly moving position and check ur left to see if there's any car

[@MungoBiker]

The moving out to the right before turning left seems flawed.

[@thescoutpanda]

no, its to prevent other cars from turning left on you, and also any cars coming up that road to your left can clearly see you

[@MungoBiker]

That's when believing you're assertive steps into aggressive without you realising...and is flawed

[@samuelvink1482]

Bros, Just get off and cross like a pedestrian, it’s not worth the hassle

[@yuhanguo6172]

I’m wondering if bike riders in real life will make gesture when they want to turn right. I just started riding in London and I don’t want to be weird

[@thescoutpanda]

ofc. i always do anyway, drivers behind arent psychic. i always gesture if im turning right just so they know why im moving into their lane

[@dearjem]

They do all the time dw

[@zhafirahramadhanty]

I still find it hard to turn right in busy junction

[@MungoBiker]

Never trust eye contact

[@jaiso434]

the thing that i dont like is the traffic has to slow down for you to turn right.

[@waqasahmed939]

I was doing 15Mph,and did it correctly as per this video. A couple of cars beeped at me and asked me "What do you think you're doing" I told them I have to be in this lane, just like you do. One driver then swore at me.

[@chris1275cc]

Traffic still has to slow down or even stop for other cars to turn right.

[@Satyam_muktaye]

I’d say it’s just best to stop somewhere in the default position and let the following traffic pass you by before making a right turn, especially if you’re gonna be stopping anyway to let the oncoming traffic go because it’s their right of way. So basically 2 stops rather than a quick glance and moving over and turning. Some people are right in the comment section here when they’re saying that people aren’t attentive and will not stop even if you’re signalling well in time. You’d rather slow down and get hooted at than get hit and injured. The glancing back and moving over and turning will then become smooth with time.

[@el.vende.hummus]

GPS voice

[@DK-pb7tr]

Amazing they were all on the road, not the pavemant

[@andremp03]

Even with this helpful video, there are so many dickhead drivers (not all) who think they're in the right and when they're not.

[@yell50]

NOPE just get on the pavement in those areas and reduce your speed to walking pace then get back on to the road and return to the default position then continue your journey.

[@yell50]

Well it dont really matter if we have the same rights, in reality car drivers still view cyclist as a nuisance on the road and that will never change sometimes using the pavement at a responsibly jogging speed for short spells to avoid dangerous stretches of roads is far better than getting run over by a speeding lorry because they cant be bothered to give extra room when they overtake.

[@Scottx125Productions]

@@purpleturtle8841 Illegal but not enforced*.

[@jacc88888]

I agree - certainly unless you are very confident you. I would rather drive a few metres slowly and with awareness on a pavement and risk a £50 rather risk a potential life threatening injury caused by a careless or impatient driver.

[@ClarkDroneFilms]

@@yell50Definitely preferable for me to get on the pavement if it's clear of peds. Normally putting my feet down and basically walk-riding

[@ResilientArmadillo]

Why are there so many without a cycle helmet on these videos? Not cool.

[@KEIO-qd1zx]

Helmet is not mandatory in the UK, and in most other countries. So, legally, cyclists can ride even without a helmet. Statistically, drivers are more cautious if the cyclist doesn't have a helmet. But it's always better to wear it, in case of collisions. In fact, I do wear it.

[@pedalwerk]

Helmets are generally only warranted in poor weather and/or on roads with a speed limit above 20 mph. There were very few streets here that warranted a helmet. Although a helmet does improve safety in the case of an accident, for most routes the safety of the infrastructure and your own driving supersedes that of wearing a helmet - certainly if you go to most places where many people cycle, all going at a reasonable speed will not use a helmet.

[@thescoutpanda]

i never wear a helmet. they dehumanize you. i've seen cars take risks with helmet users that they've never, ever risked with me. infact i've never had anything but good, courteous experiences with car drivers. they've never, ever passed too close. they've never cut me off. but i've seen cyclists with their lycra and helmets, and notice cars pass them much, much closer, cut them off and don't take any care at all. it's a strange phenomenon. the helmet and lycra just dehumanizes you. they see them as "cyclists". whereas me, they don't see a cyclist, they see me as "a guy on a bike".

[@keycapslapper7080]

@@thescoutpanda Yep exactly and there is a study that was done recently that shows drivers are more likely to take risks with helmet users

[@thescoutpanda]

@@keycapslapper7080 oh nice i didn't know that, could only speak from experience. i'll give it a google and have a read! doesn't surprise me though the results - 2 months later after my post and i've still never had a bad experience with drivers. yet at cafes etc where cyclists with their gear hang out all i hear is complaints. they look at you and 1) in your gear and you don't look human and 2) they think "oh he'll be alright" because of your helmet etc. but me wobbling down the road in nothing but jeans, t-shirt and a baseball cap they literally drive on the other side of the road to pass me and always slow down on corners, never risk cutting me or pulling out on me. fascinating behaviour

[@cubbykovu8955]

great videos but I reccommend to encourage safe riding have all example riders in Helmets Even though they are not required by law THEY SHOULD BE really and it sets a good example

[@thescoutpanda]

wrong

[@SotonDroid]

Helmet isn't going to do much against a car, they aren't made to anywhere near the same standard as a motorcycle helmet.

[@TheTradge]

But if you fall off your bike for any reason, it's better to have the extra protection than to split your head open against the kerb, plus you don't go anywhere near as fast on a normal bike as you do on a motorcycle. And I agree that wearing a helmet whilst cycling on the road should be a legal requirement, just like it is to wear a helmet whilst riding a motorcycle, or to wear a seatbelt whilst in a car.

[@jacc88888]

Soton Droid It’s still better than no helmet. I’m not convinced that drivers will be much more cautious around cyclists with no helmets. A friend of mine was knocked off her bike last week and hit her head. Luckily no concussion and without a helmet it would have been much worse.

[@YS-ep7zw]

Why on earth is the guy at 3:26 coming the wrong way out of a one way street?!! You can clearly see the one way sign and the road markings for entry but not exit. The rest of the video is great, but talk about how NOT to cycle safely...

[@chris1275cc]

Their are some one way streets that are only restricted for cars around where I live. Not saying that is the case here, and its a poor choice to use a road like that even if it is, but they do exist.

[@agfagaevart]

most cyclist don't look behind when turning i say this as a cyclist it is damn frustrating this video is a fantasy have lost count of the times fellow cyclists have come out a junction WITHOUT looking right.

[@markgriffiths409]

No helmets ⛑! Not very good role models here...

[@mikewade777]

They're perfectly good role models. Helmets don't prevent accidents.

[@markgriffiths409]

@@mikewade777 Just like seatbelts don’t prevent car crashes.. however having broken 2 helmets myself, just like putting a seatbelt on I always put on a cycle helmet in front of my kids and insist they do the same. When its tarmac or car versus flesh there is only one winner, and would rather have a family member survive for another day.When doing a junction safety video it should be lead by the right example in all scenes else it sends mixed messages as in this example.

[@mikewade777]

@@markgriffiths409 if you broke even just one helmet, cycle safety was clearly the last thing on your mind. The right example is to " do it right not pay the consequences for doing it wrong. There is no mixed message other than the ridiculous notion that helmets saves lives.. Screw the consequences of your lack of awareness. I teenager ahead of me on a shared path took his hands off his handlebar and free wheeled down a small hill and around a blind corner. Had he come off and injured his head, the last thing I wouldn't have said is "wear a helmet". I would have said "serves you right" and cycled on. If he hit a pedestrian or their dog. I would have got off my bike an seen if the pedestrian was ok, and lectured the idiot cyclist on how to ride a bike safely on a shared path, regardless of any head injury.

[@chris1275cc]

@@mikewade777 No, you can "do it right" all the time every time and still hit an oil patch, have a tyre blowout, have a chain snap/jam, hit a pothole, get clipped by an asshole drivers wing mirror, have a phone zombie step into the road...the list goes on, your reasoning is total bollocks. And before you do that stupid strawman thing you do "should pedestrians wear helmets then?" NO because they don't spend enough time amongst traffic nor are they moving at a speed to warrant them. Car Drivers? No, because they are protected by the car and a helmet would decrease their visual range. People in baths, showers etc. Again NO, because it would be impractical, those people should buy anti slip mats. The fact you would leave an injured child in the road because it "serves him right" tells me all I need to know about you. I just hope that one day when you are riding along doing everything right and hit that oil patch the cyclist behind you has a different attitude.

[@thescoutpanda]

why? i never wear a helmet. 1. they arent actually safer. sure, taking a bump to the noggin is not nice, however, in a helmet, it can 'rattle' your brain and actually cause brain damage. 2. they dehumanise you, making your whole ride generally unsafer as car drivers will subconsciously take more risks around you. "they're wearing a helmet so its fine" a study was done, when drivers see someone not wearing a helmet they drive more safely around you and pass you much wider than they would if you was wearing a helmet. 3. cycling is supposed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone and fun for everyone. it is not for you elitists with your silly helmets and lycra thinking you're in the tour de france however much you want to prevent normal people from cycling. so its a very good role model here.