Expect the unexpected

Published: 28 April, 2011

• I FULLY endorse Thom Osborn’s comments about defensive cycling (Safer way to cycle, April 22) and I have been practising these ideas for more than 30 years. 

Once you are conditioned in this approach, it becomes second nature to expect the unexpected, to read the road and anticipate events, to avoid blind spots, to learn to co-operate rather than compete with other 

road users, to assume you are invisible to other people until you make eye contact with them and to never get into a hazardous situation without an exit strategy.

Defensive cycling might sound defeatist and over-cautious to some, but it doesn’t stop you from being decisive or making progress. It’s just a matter of weighing up the risks and going for the best option while making  your intentions clear to other people. 

Maybe the term “pro-active” cycling sounds more assertive than defensive cycling; but call it what you like it’s just about making the most of our limited shared space.

It would cost little or nothing to educate people about this. Those of us who have survived, witnessed or anticipated accidents or scares can pass our knowledge and experiences on to other cyclists or their parents for no charge at all.

IAN SHACKLOCK
Monsell Road, N4