I cycle in london and live almost on one of the "cycle super highways" and tbh I see awful cyclists each day. The only thing I think that saves them is how stop start cars have to be in the city so they can't hit them more often at higher speeds.
Jumping lights is just dumb, even on straight roads when it isn't a cross roads it will just end up that your routine is jumping a set of lights and you bike into a pedestrian stepping out.
'cycle boxes' at traffic lights are often awfully placed and have a car in them anyway, I personally place myself in the left 1/2 of the outside lane and then if I know the lights won't change for a moment attempt to make eye contact with the driver behind me even just for a second. I also look back and make a mental note of any trucks or buses that will maybe fly past me in the next few moments.
I also sometimes will place myself even more into the middle of the lane if I feel the car behind is going to try and zoom around me to the right and then cut past me to turn left as soon as the lights go. Funny enough I had someone follow me across the lights to complain about that tactic the other day, when I explained he was still angry but he did admit "yeah, you pulled away faster than most cyclists so could have clipped you maybe BUT I wouldn't..."
Passing parked cars can also be fatal, look back over your shoulder and if you don't have the space slow down or stop to let the car pass first. I'm also overly cautious of opening car doors since my only accident about 10 years ago was when I went past a line of stopped cars and the 3rd or 4th one opened his door on me to get his door full of 15mph bmx.
Look out for them flashing blue lights too, pull over to a safe spot and let them pass as all road users should.
Jumping lights is just dumb, even on straight roads when it isn't a cross roads it will just end up that your routine is jumping a set of lights and you bike into a pedestrian stepping out.
'cycle boxes' at traffic lights are often awfully placed and have a car in them anyway, I personally place myself in the left 1/2 of the outside lane and then if I know the lights won't change for a moment attempt to make eye contact with the driver behind me even just for a second. I also look back and make a mental note of any trucks or buses that will maybe fly past me in the next few moments.
I also sometimes will place myself even more into the middle of the lane if I feel the car behind is going to try and zoom around me to the right and then cut past me to turn left as soon as the lights go. Funny enough I had someone follow me across the lights to complain about that tactic the other day, when I explained he was still angry but he did admit "yeah, you pulled away faster than most cyclists so could have clipped you maybe BUT I wouldn't..."
Passing parked cars can also be fatal, look back over your shoulder and if you don't have the space slow down or stop to let the car pass first. I'm also overly cautious of opening car doors since my only accident about 10 years ago was when I went past a line of stopped cars and the 3rd or 4th one opened his door on me to get his door full of 15mph bmx.
Look out for them flashing blue lights too, pull over to a safe spot and let them pass as all road users should.
Plan your route before you leave. I personally favour google maps and despite living by the south circular can usually plan out a route that will have me using safer roads, if I'm unsure I look at the street view.
