Convince me I'm a cyclist

[MiddleOfThePack]

When I'm not? I'm really not confident at all and every time I go out I'll have an 'incident'.

Today DH & I went for a short trip. At one point, I turned off right as a car was coming from the left. I just didn't see it coming and shot across in front of it as they did an emergency stop.

Then he keeps yelling directions at me when in front and I'm hard of hearing so I just can't hear and we end up doing different things. Today we ended up finding separate ways home when he went straight on after I'd told him to go right as there was a cycle path there (I knew it from one of my running routes).

I can't do those wiggly gates at the end of footpaths and have to hop round. And I can't negotiate those stupid slopes for prams and wheelchairs when they are 180 degree switchbacks.

All I can think of when we're out with cycling buddies is how I'd really rather be running. It's much safer and I can stop/start, not get in the way of traffic and just feel less vulnerable.

DH has just bought me a higher spec hybrid ebike that probably weighs half of my current monster and is trying to convince me I'll be much better on a lighter, more manoeuvrable bike. Its arriving next week.

I'm just worried I'll kill myself! I should add that I'm a car driver too so it's not as if I don't have any road sense. It just seems to go when I panic on a bike!

Help!

Yeah, with you Op. Saw a teenager the other day, bag on the handlebars, swinging, cycling along while texting, both hands on the phone. And he was going at some speed! Either you've got it, or you've not . Seriously, the new bike might make a lot of difference.

Plan your route before you set off. It helps me if I know where I'm going. I also plan as much as possible off road.

Practice, OP.
Sounds like you would do better to go out on your own, plot a route you like. Walk bits you feel happier walking.

For the directions - agree on hand signals in advance. Ones that are clear to you but won't confuse other road users.

If you are cycling in a way that causes other road users to emergency stop, it is your road sense you need to work on. The need to look out for junctions and hazards is no different when you're on a bike to when you're in a car. The only difference is that you will feel more vulnerable when you're cycling, so you'll notice your cock-ups (and other people's) more. You probably do similar in the car without noticing.

Btw, on a bike you almost always have better visibility than a car, not worse. So "not seeing it coming" is what really stands out regarding your road sense.