Cyclecraft by John Franklin

Book Review

I bought Cyclecraft over a year ago now as a result of multiple recommendations on the internet for it.  I think it's probably the most often recommended cycling book out there, and if you get only one cycling book, this should be it.

John Franklin's book is well written, laid out and illustrated, and is considered the bible of how to ride in traffic in the UK.  It's the recommended course book for the National Cyclist Training Project, and is endorsed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

It's one of the leaders of the approach of treating bicycles as vehicles - to be a part of general traffic on our roads.  This approach may seem at odds with what many non-cyclists feel to be common sense, but there's plenty of good logic behind the approach and once you read the book and apply it in real life, he's inarguably right.  I think everyone will have something to gain from the book, no matter how experienced a cyclist you are.

It's all about road positioning, confidence, negotiation, and how you can influence other vehicles to help your own safety.

My own experiences

As an experienced driver, cyclist, and motorcyclist, I found I was already doing a number of things the way John Franklin recommends.  Equally, I found a lot of things I could learn from.  In particular I found I was too submissive to motor vehicle traffic in some circumstances, especially on roundabouts, which are not common where I learnt to drive.  I also never realised quite how dangerous cycle lanes can be, and I don't use them nearly as much now, as a result of better knowledge from this book.

I've read it a couple of times now, and I keep picking up new things in the light of my increased understanding and experience of UK cycling.  The book has helped turn my London commute from something that was a little stressful to the best part of my working day.  I love cycling in the traffic now, it's not intimidating and I get to interact much more positively with other road users, be they cagers [1], pedestrians, other cyclists, etc.

Summary

Get your hands on this book at all costs, be it from the library or for yourself, and get all the cyclists you know to read it.  It's really that good.

[1] Cagers is a somewhat derogatory name for motor vehicle drivers since they sit inside of a metal cage that insulates them from the outside world.  This insulation tends to make them feel less concern for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.  Of course my use of this phrase is very tongue in cheek, since I too am a cager, LOL!

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