Riding Safely in Main Roads

If one thought rules your urban riding, let it be this: Stay out of blind spots. If you can't see the driver's face in the car's mirror, that driver can't see you and you simply don't exist. Place blind-spot avoidance on top of your priority list for urban survival. Use acceleration, deceleration and lane position to "ride in the mirrors" of the cars around you. Develop a blind-spot warning buzzer that blares every time you approach a blind spot.

Just because you're riding in the mirrors of a car doesn't mean that driver will use that mirror before changing lanes into you. Position yourself so that if the driver fails to see you in the mirror, you still aren't in danger of getting tagged. You will know when you're riding well and staying clear of blind spots because you are no longer using your horn to warn encroaching drivers of your presence; they've already seen you in the mirror, alongside or ahead.

Combining defensive tactics and aggressive riding will create a riding portfolio that will weather any storm. The secret is knowing when to use each of the tactics. After all, blasting aggressively down Main Street is an open invitation for trouble. Conversely, creeping slowly down Main Street invites different but still deadly trouble, putting you at the mercy of other drivers' skills-or lack thereof.

Defensive riding means being aware of your space and maintaining that space by positioning yourself in surrounding traffic. Riding defensively is a way of looking at traffic to predict its effect on you, and making sure that effect is minimal.

Riding aggressively is much less a way of riding than an applied technique to be exercised only occasionally. As motorcyclists, we must put ourselves in view, and sometimes that means a bit of aggressive throttle use to come up even with a driver's window. Simply put, sometimes slowing down is extremely dangerous and some aggressive acceleration or lane changing is called for.

Create your own traffic destiny. Put yourself in a position with an escape route if your worst-case predictions come true. Look for traffic patterns and try to move through traffic, rather than sit within a knot of traffic.

Maneuvers

The key to safety is predictability. For the most part, you want to turn, pass and change lanes just as you would in your car.

To change lanes, look behind you for traffic and signal first. Traffic in the lane you want to move into has the right of way. Look back and wait for an opening in traffic before moving over. Start looking for an opportunity to get in the correct lane at least 1 block before the intersection.
Use the correct lane for your destination. Go straight in a through lane, not a right turn only lane. Other drivers expect all the vehicles in that lane to be turning right. Make left turns from the left lane, if there is one, or the left side of the through lane.
Left Turns: For bicyclists, there are two legal options: Look back for traffic, signal, and move to the left turn lane or left side of lane. If traffic is very heavy or you feel uncomfortable crossing many lanes to turn left, cross to the other side of the intersection as if you were continuing straight and pull out of traffic. Wait for the light to change again and then continue straight to your destination as if you had come from the street to the right.
Pass cars and busses on the left, with at least three feet of clearance. That is where other vehicles expect faster traffic to be. Passing on the right could get you squeezed against the curb if the car or bus pulls over, opens its doors or makes a right turn.

How to Avoid a Crash: Ride in the direction of traffic only. This includes on-road bike lanes. Obey traffic signals, and don't run stop signs. Watch for cars turning into your path without yielding. Watch for cars pulling out of driveways or side streets. Cross railroad tracks, storm grates or pavement cracks as close to a right angle as possible. Check behind and around you before changing lanes or turning.

Signal your lane changes and turns so that drivers and other cyclists know what to expect.

Going straight through intersections: If you are in an extra wide right lane or there is likely to be significant traffic going right, discourage cars from passing you on the left and turning in front of you. Move toward the center or left of the straight-ahead lane as you approach the intersection.

Let other bicyclists know you are going to pass them. Give an audible warning and pass with enough clearance.

Lane Positioning

Stay far enough away from the curb to avoid hazards. You are safer riding in a lane of traffic than in the gutter. You need room to maneuver if a pothole, bottle, or other debris appears in your path. And you are more visible when you ride where drivers expect to see a vehicle.

Ride where cars on side streets and driveways can see you. If you ride too far to the right, you may be blocked from their view by a parked car. You are also more visible to cars behind you if you are in the line of traffic.

Do not weave in and out between parked cars. Drivers behind you may not see you, and you may be cut off if you cannot get out from behind a parked car due to heavy traffic. Stay at least three feet away from parked cars. Someone may suddenly open a door in front of you.
Take the lane. When it is too narrow to safely share with cars, when approaching an intersection, or when traveling at the same speed as traffic, ride further out into the lane so that you don't get squeezed into a dangerous situation.

In extra wide lanes: (one and a half cars wide) don't ride all the way to the right. Again, you will be more visible if you ride three to four feet to the right of traffic. Right turning cars and motorists pulling out of side streets and driveways will also be more likely to see you.

Defensive Riding

Knowing and following the rules of the road is not enough to keep you from being involved in a crash. Unfortunately, there are drivers who either do not know, understand or follow the rules. Knowing what other drivers do wrong, and watching for their mistakes, can help you reduce your chances of being in a crash.

Motorist turns left in front of bicyclist going straight Watch cars at intersections carefully. Make eye contact with drivers. Be visible. Ride further out in the lane as you approach intersections. Be prepared to stop or make an emergency turn if necessary.
Motorist right turn in front of bicyclist Be alert for drivers speeding up then slowing down as they pass you. Do not pass cars on the right near intersections, you will be in the driver's blind spot. Do not rely on other drivers' turn signals.
Motorist driveout from a driveway, alley, parking space or stop sign Proper lane position, careful scanning and an all-around conspicuous appearance will help you avoid these situations. If you ride on sidewalks, be extra alert when crossing driveways and intersections. Most drivers do not check for bicyclists on sidewalks.