With these helpful cycling tips for women, taking to the city roads needn’t be daunting, even for the most novice riders.
Quite often we dream of hopping on our bikes for the morning commute, wind in our hair, basket full and exercise ticked off for the day. But in reality, navigating London’s roads, double-deckers and disgruntled cabbies has us heading for the tube once again.
Well, trendy British bike brand Pitango Bikes is here to help, as they’ve devised some handy tips and tricks especially for us female cyclist, to boost our confidence, ensure we’re safe and have us back on that saddle in no time.
With a massive 67% of woman admitting to being nervous whilst behind the handlebars on London’s roads, these helpful tips are sure to come in useful. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cyclist it doesn’t matter, after all, Pitango Bikes was set up by a school teacher, a mountain guide and a sous-chef, not a Wiggins or a Pendleton.
1. Own the road.
Don’t be afraid to take up the centre of the lane, even though your instincts are to stay to the very edge of the road. The lowest numbers of accidents happen from being hit from behind, whereas the highest number happen when cyclists cycle too far on the left and get run off the road.
2. Being honked at is good!
If motorists honk at you, then they know you are there and you can move out of the way and let them pass safely.
3. Always pass on the right.
The biggest blind spot on a car is on the left side and cars will often turn left without signaling. This gives you no time to react
4. Do not wear headphones.
Come on ladies, it’s just common sense.
5. Practice makes perfect.
If you must wear heels, make sure they’re within reason and always practice riding in them in the park first, before doing it amongst the traffic.