Rules of the road: Tips to make riding in traffic less scary
Good Afternoon Champions for MS!
Riding in traffic can be a little scary. Here is another great article from our friends at Active.com.
Rules of the road: Tips to make riding in traffic less scary
Be prepared for the worst when cycling through traffic Credit: Sara Weiner Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D.
Active.com
The average cyclist and bike weighs between 150 and 250 pounds. The average car weighs about 2,500 pounds. So it’s no accident that the No.1 reason more people don’t ride is fear of traffic.
I understand the anxiety, but it’s never enough to keep us off the road. And it should never stop you, either. To mingle with traffic and flow like water over pavement when the road is clear, you need to ride with confidence and skill. You need anticipation and a tingly sixth sense that lets you skirt dangerous situations before they develop. You can get all of that with these tips.
Ride like a car
The big idea is to be steady and predictable. Instead of fighting against motorized traffic, follow the same rules. Obey signs and lights, ride with traffic instead of against it, turn left only from the left side of the road, and signal turns. (When turning right, we like to point right with our right arm instead of using the bent left arm, which some motorists don’t understand.)
Anticipate
Keep your head up. Aim your vision at least 10 to 20 feet ahead of your bike (farther when you’re going faster). Also, know the three most common mistakes car drivers make: 1) Oncoming cars turn left in front of us; 2) Cross traffic pulls in front of us at stop signs; and 3) Cars pass us, then quickly turn right, cutting us off. Be especially watchful for these developing situations.
Take your place
If you hug the curb, you tempt cars to squeeze by you. Although it seems riskier, we recommend still riding to the right (as required by law) but taking up enough space so that cars must move slightly left to pass you. This makes drivers more aware of you.
Remember to use good sense. Don’t ride so much toward the center that you become a hazard. One exception: When you’re moving at the same speed as traffic it’s safer to take a place in the line rather than ride directly beside a car.
Be visible
The chief idea here is to ride to be seen. Don’t spend time in a driver’s blind spot – just to the left of the rear wheel. And make an effort to become visible in a driver’s radar. Besides using hand signals for turns, also use eye contact, hand waves, smiles and nods to connect with drivers.
Brake so you stay in a straight line
Apply both brakes at once, with more force on the rear brake initially. Gradually increase pressure on the front brake. If you begin to skid with either wheel, use less force on that brake. Never brake in a corner or when your bike is leaning.
Ride a straight line
Eliminating the wobbling from your style takes practice. When traffic is light, try centering your front wheel on the painted road border as you ride. Also practice sipping from a water bottle without swerving. To learn to look around or behind without swerving, try this: Take one arm off the bar and point it straight back, then turn your head and sight along your outstretched arm. This gives you a reference point to judge how straight you are riding.
Be safe everyone!
We are now 4 weeks out!
Heart…Determination…Courage…We are Champions for MS!
-Jeff H.