r/Glasgow Tools

When on the main road, whether you choose to ride at the side or the middle depends on the situation. You are legally allowed in the middle. You’re a road user same as cars.

The middle is primary position and there are lots of situations where it is safest for you to be there (if there’s no room for cars to overtake, if parked car doors are too close on the left, for example). My biggest advice is don’t be scared to make yourself SEEN. I think a lot of people who start cycling for their commute feel like they have to get out of the way of cars - it depends on the situation and it’s better to be seen by cars behind you, than to hit a car door or be hit by a passing car because you hid to the side.

Of course there’s lots of times it’s safe to be to the left - I cycle daily to Paisley and on Paisley road west there are two lanes so I’m able to create a balance to allow cars to pass a lot of the time (though, not all of the time, see above re parked cars).

I advise pannier bags - I take a poncho and waterproof trousers most days just in case.

I probably have more advice, I’ll post if anything more occurs to me.

Re. Shared pavements - beware pedestrians are less predictable than cars, especially if they have dogs - adjust your speed to the situation.

Also welcome to cycle commuter club!