You're safer not wearing a cycle helmet, according to research...

[emmelinemay]

Bicyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be struck by passing vehicles, new research suggests.

and what i think is the crux of the matter...
Most adult cyclists know what it is like to drive a car, but relatively few motorists ride bicycles in traffic, and so don’t know the issues cyclists face.

There should definitely be more information on the needs of other road users when people learn to drive, and practical experience would be even better.

and this made me laugh -

To test another theory, Dr Walker donned a long wig to see whether there was any difference in passing distance when drivers thought they were overtaking what appeared to be a female cyclist.

Whilst wearing the wig, drivers gave him an average of 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) more space when passing.

Comments

[yaruar.livejournal.com]

mainly being aware of blindspots, but also being more agressive/defensive in certain situations. Particually at lights or in fast traffic, not hesitatating and making sure i'm seen. Going faster rather than slower in dubious situations and also being a lot more wary of drivers. Whilst driving i pay a lot more attention to other road users and i've seen just how bad most of them are at signaling their intentions in all senses of the word so i make sure i'm not going to be in a position where other peoples rash decisions will adversely affect me.

[juliet]

[nods] That all makes sense - certainly I've found that being more assertive / not hesitating seems to be a lot safer (as in, gets me into fewer dangerous-seeming situations) than the opposite.

I read an advanced driving book a few years back when I still drove regularly that suggested that you actively think about what idiot things other drivers might be about to do (they didn't quite put it like that ;-) ) & make sure you're in a position to deal with them. Which sounds very much like what you're saying! And clearly also applies to cyclists.

[mattydesade.livejournal.com]

Agreed. You have to own your bit of the road.

Make sure that I've you're passing a parked vehicle that you start pulling out early and that you pass at least a metre away. Most traffic will realise that they can't overtake you and so won't even try (and if they do you've got a spare metre to the left).