It’s over a month now since Sue and I finished our ride in France. I have been out riding but there has also been a lot of catching up to do at work and at home so compared to an average 65-85 miles per day during May and June it’s been more like 80 miles per week – that’s still better than being stuck indoors!

Two of the most common and avoidable hazards between bikes and cars have had decent coverage recently. The article below from the Times is self-explanatory and while I know 1.5 metres seems a lot, think about the air turbulence you feel in your car when a truck goes passed. It effectively means that as regards road position, drivers need to imagine they are passing a car.

Frustrating as it may be to have to wait to pass, the consequence of not waiting could be a lot worse especially for the cyclist.

Another common hazard is car doors being swung open without the person opening it carefully checking that they are not about to open it directly into the path of a cyclist or indeed a motor cyclist. The outcome for the cyclist in such situations is rarely good – they normally fly over the door so apart from anything else they will drop from a height of 5 feet/1.5 meters onto the road surface – possibly in the path of another vehicle.

One simple approach being pioneered forcefully in Holland is to educate car drivers and passengers to open the door with the hand furthest from the door. Thus if the driver in a right-hand drive car uses their left hand to reach and open the door they will automatically look behind.

Have a think.