That is, one can often hear cars approaching from behind or approaching intersections before one can see them.

Not incidentally, this is why I think bicyclists who wear headphones are foolish in the extreme. They are in effect “disarming” themselves by neutralizing one of the their best weapons…

and read the science.

Fluorescent jackets and tabards aren’t much use at night.

Please read the science linked to.

Biomotion and fluorescent-reflective knee & ankle bands are very important!

IIRC, there’s a version for the US. Cyclecraft’s almost certainly the basis of all UK cycle training.

Please remember the door zone!
I see lots of cyclists riding dangerously close to parked vehicles. You need to keep a long way out, some car doors are very long. Being doored is a good way to be run over by a following vehicle.
Avoiding the Door Zone – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TQ7aID1jHs

I try and avoid cycling too close to the kerb not because of the cars but because that is where the majority of drains, potholes and rubbish are located. Don’t get me started on the state of the surface of the cycle lanes down the Great West Road either! “ooh, ouch, oomph, oof …..” Poor bike!

Could I also add “Don’t forget to use lights on your bike!” to the list? The number of cyclists out there wearing dark colours with no lights on their bikes at night (or early mornings) are not giving themselves or other drivers a fair chance of being seen.

Good list here Andreas. My only real commentary: I once agreed wholeheartedly with Point 2 (rear awareness), to the point where I couldn’t understand why anyone would ride without a mirror. I live in California now, where constant awareness of my backside is impractical because of heavy congestion and a constant stream of traffic. I’ll check back for turns and overtaking, but that’s it.

This was borne from undertaking a long and slow moving traffic jam at a medium speed – a passenger obviously decided she could walk to her destination rather than sit in the traffic and opened a door on me – had to hop onto the kerb to avoid a nasty accident. On reflection I shouldnt have been scooting up the inside in the first place, Hi-vis or not.

My friend got knocked off her bike by car driver who was very clearly in the wrong and because she was so dazed (and later passed out) when she apparently agreed that it was possible that her front light wasn’t working properly – although it was knocked off the bike and found on the pavement, she lost her personal injury claim which would have been particularly helpful as she’s a self employed furniture maker and due to her injuries wasn’t able to work for 2 months. In both (yours and her) cases, it seems that there was nothing the cyclist could have done.