Seem to be going through a rough patch lately. I seem to be having a bad incident every couple of days.
All the following seem to be factors:
- Geographical area. I'm cycling in Manchester. The problems appear to be centered in certain parts of Manchester. Unfortunately as my girlfriend/partner lives in one of the problem areas, I'm finding them difficult to avoid.
- Wearing a cycle helmet. I think this also goes for any cycling attire. I think the more you look like a cyclist, the more drivers consider you to be a problem. I think it's competition for road space. The helmet is on because it does a fairly decent job of keeping my head dry but at the same time stopping it getting to sweaty. I tend not to wear it in the summer.
- Bike type. The bike I'm getting most incidents on is matt black and has a "cool" and purposeful look to it. I think this just tips the ice berg with some motorists.
- Positioning. I ride most the type in secondary position. I use primary through pinch points and on approach to/through hazards or when matching the traffics speed.
- Progress and speed. I think the cycle helmet, bike type and assertive positioning make cyclists look like competition. I think when drivers see cyclists progressing well through traffic or even travelling at speed, you are competition. If I recall all my incidents, I've been making progress close to, equal to or better than the traffic around me.
So from this set of points the answers are:
Ride in safe areas - Not always possible
Wear normal clothing and don't wear a helmet
Ride a cheap MTB or old raleigh 3 speed or similar
Ride more 'submissively'
Slow down
I did spend a good while (before it was stolen) riding an old blue Raleigh Manta Ray which was an early 90s heavy steel MTB, in normal clothes, in nicer areas. With it could do about 20 mph for short periods, maybe even 25 mph in short bursts but cruising was far slower. And in my anecdotal experience, incidents using this rig (in normal clothing) were rare. But then, my longest trip was about 5 miles each way and I wasn't on the bike half so often.
I even experimented with cycling much more submissively - and although that seemed to avoid getting agro from drivers, the overtake and turn left incidents were much more prevelant.
This of course is not very scientific at all. On the whole I enjoy being out there with the traffic, riding far and riding fast. I'm averaging about 20-30 miles a day in commutes and errands. I'm already compromising in riding almost everywhere in jeans. Should I trade off on speed, comfort and safety (at least as far a being seen) just avoid some of the aggresion I keep on getting?