h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Cycling is a good way to learn driving - you get to know how to cope with traffic, especially in towns.

There's definitely two sides to driving - the mechanical bit of controlling the car, and then the bit that a lot of people cant get their heads around is reading traffic, people, the road, understanding traffic flows and how things tend to work...

But I driving. It's enjoyable and I feel much freer.

Unfortunately I find it boring, which means that I stop concencentrating, and that (boys and girls) is when accidents happen. So I spend half my journey making sure that I'm still concentrating.

In theory I could say that I'm just on auto-pilot, and if anything unexpected happens (say, a car pulls out), my brain will switch back into action and all will be well. But I can't guarantee that.

Remind me never to be cycling when you're on the road then!

I cycle every day, and find it has taught me very good road awareness, in order to avoid being hit.

I think all drivers ought to made to cycle in heavy traffic for a year before being given a license.

- but good luck to you, Mala, I hope it goes well!

Ah, see, I'm not so sure about that. My cycling became a lot better after I knew how to drive simply because I understood roads a lot better. Whilst some non-driving cyclists are very good, the majority simply don't know how to tackle a road.

That being said, forcing drivers to cycle would make them more forgiving when they got back into their cars.

I'm not a bad driver, partly because I know my faults and keep them in mind. It would be worse if I kept on drifting off but didn't know it!

Fair point. I think for every good cyclist, there's a bad one, and the same for drivers.

Either way, a driver who is going to ease herself in gently is a good thing!

I'm not sure that helps. I curse and shout at cyclists when I drive, and curse and shout at drivers when I cycle. As for Pedestrian Toy Box, we just despise each others.

I get road tourettes (as I call it). I dont get rage so long as I am free to turn the air blue inside my own car. I've no intention of correcting anyone, 'letting them know' anything or 'teach' anyone a 'lesson' because I am perfectly well aware that it wont make a blind bit of difference so following people, flashing my lights, gesturing etc are pretty illogical and I dont do them.

I do reserve the right to and indeed away to my heart's content. Preferably followed up with a sweet smile and a wave when the other driver looks in my direction as I go past them in the correct lane, selected reasonably early and manouvered into correctly...

Woohoo - I survived a 20-minute drive!

I only managed to stall the engine 7 times and take a corner with squealing tyres when I was trying *not* to stall, though...

Well done!

At least you're back safe and sound!

Just a thought - if it's a while since you passed your test, and you haven't had much experience since then, why not go back to a driving instructor, and just have a refresher lesson? You'd feel much happier with a professional helping you, and then you'll feel happier back on your own afterwards!

Yay! You didn't hurt either yourself or anyone else, so I call that a successful trip.

We have a new car 10 cm wider than the old one and a very narrow drive. Leaving home with it every time without scratches is a little victory. Mind you, we've only had it a week...

That might not be a bad idea, Hoggy. My driving instructor was really bad, and I still get very nervous. (I had Yarreau along this time to help. )

I-I-I've a-almo-most c-c-calm-m-med d-down b-by n-n-n-now...

What are you lot like

I drive for a living and cycle for pleasure and exercise (there are some punishing hills in North Wales ).

I listen to podcasts in the car and tend to be in auto-pilot most of the time. The car knows the way to everywhere now. I also drive slowly and hypermile as much as possible. I am getting 10 mpg higher than the quoted figures from Ford!

I admit that I learned to drive in a city in 1981. The day I passed my test I went out on the motorway to see what it was like to go fast!

Lots of practice is the answer to all your woes.

t.

Hypermiling link http://www.hypermiler.co.uk/hypermiling-techniques.html

t.