3:56pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
I respond to the request from Miles French regarding his recent biker experience (Letters, March 16). I have a particular interest as my 21-year-old will shortly be starting his own biking life.
Miles, I think you have forgotten the basic rule – take and keep your lane. Trying to make a third lane between normal lanes is what we cyclists call “the death lane”.
Many cyclists have died because of the temptation to infiltrate up the left side of the traffic, be it buses, concrete lorries or even cars who are not expecting a stranger on their blind side.
As I recall, from my own biking days, the passing opportunities invariably arise and should always be taken on the outside lane – with our size and speed ratio we really have no need to take risks in close cover. No, it’s not silly to wait – as my mother would say, better two minutes late in this world than 20 years early in the next.
Eamonn Campbell, St Martin’s Place, Brighton
As a biker with more than 40 years’ experience can I say that whenever I filter through stationary traffic to get to the front at a traffic light stop, I am always ready to sprint away again at the first safe opportunity.
If any born-again bikers do not realise they have entered a brave new world, then observe how other bikers use the road and take note. It’s a jungle out there!
Mike Mason, Mayfield Crescent, Brighton
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