Cyclist Sharing The Road

Ride Predictably

Motorists and others on the road will assume your direction. If you are riding forward you’re likely to continue riding forward.  Don’t swerve unless you need to avoid an obstacle like a pothole. Before entering an intersection check for oncoming traffic by scanning in both directions. Turn from proper turn lanes on multilane streets.  Don’t make a right turn from a middle or left lane.  You will just be turning into on coming traffic.

Be Visible

When going on a road ride dress in brightly colored clothing. It’s harder for a driver to see you in dark clothes, even on a bright day when there is a lot of traffic. Always use lights when riding on the road. Just like motorized vehicles use white light in front and red light in the rear.  Many of the rear red lights can flash in different patterns to make it easier for others to see you. When riding in traffic be sure you’re seen in the rearview mirrors of those motorists around you. Lastly make eye contact with motorists, and then you know for sure that they will see you.

Laws & Traffic Lights

Obey all traffic while riding on the road. Laws in all 50 states require that you go with the flow of traffic and stay to the right. I’ve heard bad advice given that if you go in the left lane against traffic it will be easy for on coming traffic to see you. That’s wrong, don’t do it. It’s just easier for on coming traffic to hit you. Staying to the right is much safer. Obey traffic lights. It’s very easy on a bike to be tempted to blow through a stop sign, or rationalize a stop by stepping your foot down touching the pavement and calling that a stop. Laws are for the safety of and others.  Obey traffic laws.  If a traffic light is unresponsive, most states have a law to wait 3 minutes and then treat the intersection as a four way stop.

Lane Position

Bike lanes are always on the right side of the street and they are great to use, but they’re not in every street of every city. So as stated above, stay to the right as far as possible, yet still give yourself enough room to avoid obstacles like drain grates and parked cars. If the lane is wide give yourself more space. Plan ahead for changing conditions such as narrowing lanes. If you are going the speed of traffic take the entire lane. If there are many parked cars with gaps in between, just ride straight; weaving in and out is unpredictable for other drivers. They are likely to think you are turning out of the lane and will not expect you to turn back in.

Turns and Lane Changing

When planning to turn or change lanes scan ahead for pedestrians or hazards like drain grates, bus stops and driveways to make sure your maneuver is clear and safe then signal your turn to others on the road with your left arm. Turn right by signaling with the left arm brought up to the square and your hand forward. Turn left by bringing your left arm straight out to the side. And stop by signaling with your left arm brought to the downward square and you hand open pointing down. Whether you’re turning left or right stay to the right side of the lane, it’s the quickest way to the right side of the upcoming road. Avoid turn lanes when you’re not turning. Some right lanes may turn into turn lanes. Be alert to road signs.  Often they will give you enough notice if a lane is becoming a turn lane.  The sign will give you enough notice so you can get out of the turn lane if you are not turning. Many motorists are not used to a cyclist on the road.  Give them some space and stay out of their blind spots. Look for the mirrors of their vehicles; your reflection needs to be in those mirrors in order for you to be seen.

Bad Drivers and Road Rage

Bad drivers may be easy to spot by their cars condition - they are likely to be dented.  They may be a worse driver if the car is a newer model with dents. It’s harder telling those with road rage. Road rage is more audible with long blows on the horn or yells and shouts. When you do encounter bad drivers and road rage get out of their way.  When you become alert to road rage be ready to react. Do not try to communicate.  Do not talk back to rationalize with them.  Don’t even make eye contact.  Once you are out of their way and safe, report them.  Give the plates, make and model and drivers description to authorities.

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