Riding a bike in the city isn't what you think. Bike lanes are death traps. The sidewalk is worse. And the most dangerous? A laid-back attitude. If you want to stay alive while riding in the city, read this page!
_____________________________________________Introduction
So you've decided to start commuting by bicycle. Or maybe you already started and you've decided you need to learn a little more about staying safe in traffic. Perhaps you've been in an accident, or you know somebody who has. If so, this is a good place to start. While this blog can't guarantee you won't crash your bike, it is a good overview of the basics of safe urban cycling.
This guide looks at urban cycling from the point of view of awareness. Why? Because lack of awareness is one of the most common ills afflicting beginning cyclists. Most other users of the road (drivers, pedestrians, etc...) aren't as aware as they should be, either. Awareness of your surroundings - and helping others be aware of you - is especially important when cycling in traffic.
Awareness in Time & Space
Awareness in traffic means knowing whats in front, to the sides, and behind you. Likewise, it means remembering the past, being aware of the present, and actively predicting the future. Riding a bike in the city is not a passive exercise - you have to be actively aware at all times. Below is a list of things to do or be aware of while riding. It may seem like a lot to remember and a lot to do, but for experienced cyclists around the world it's all second nature. It can be second nature to you too if you put in a little effort. And the payoff for all your efforts is priceless: your life and health.
Behind You/In The Past
- Look behind you, on both sides, several times per minute. Look more often if you're in heavy traffic or moving more slowly than the cars around you.
- Be aware of traffic speed and traffic density. How fast are cars coming up behind you, and how closely spaced?
- Know who's driving around you and how they're driving: are they aggressive, unaware of their surroundings, speeding, weaving, or on the phone?
- If you've recently pulled ahead of some cars, such as at a traffic light, remember who you passed. They'll be catching back up to you pretty soon. Know who's behind you!
- Who's next to you? Do they know you're there?
- If you're riding at the same speed as another vehicle for an extended length of time, try to make eye contact.
- Observe other drivers' body language and eye & head motions, which could indicate an intention to swerve, turn, change lanes, slow down, or speed up.
- If you're passing parked or stopped cars, are there people inside about to open their doors?
- Watch the traffic speed and density ahead of you.
- Is there a changing traffic pattern ahead? What about bottlenecks such as merging lanes? In such cases the rules of the road have broken down and drivers act unpredictably. You'll have to be very aware in these areas (read the rest of this article for tips on how to navigate these areas safely).
- Actively locate blind spots, such as large trucks and double-parked cars, behind which can lurk pedestrians or other cars, bikes, or motorcycles.
- Assess the drivers in front of you and try to predict the choices they're likely to make. Ride accordingly.
- Help everyone else on the road recognize and pay attention to you!
- Ride predictably and visibly
- Assert yourself
- Don't change your speed or direction suddenly.
- Stay out in the open where you're easily seen.
- Try to verify that drivers see you by making eye contact whenever possible. That's right Boston, eye contact!
Some people think the safest way to ride is as slowly as possible, as far to the right as possible. NO!
The safest riding speed is the speed of traffic. the further you are from traffic speed - either slower or faster - the more at risk you are. I'm not suggesting you always ride at traffic speed - that's impossible and doesn't always make sense. Still, riding at a different speed from traffic requires special types of awareness:
Fast Bike/Stopped Cars:
- Watch for occupants who might open their doors. "Dooring" of cyclists is one of the most common accidents between drivers and cyclists - and it almost always happens to amateur riders who - trying to be safe and ride in designated bike lanes, out of the way of road traffic - ride too close to parked cars. Do not ride within "dooring" distance of parked cars (about 3 feet). If you have to do it for some reason, be on HIGH ALERT.
- Watch out for brake lights, turned wheels, turn signals, and how aware drivers are of your presence. They could pull out, into YOUR lane, at any moment.
- You MUST determine whether or not the drivers in front of you see you and know you're about to pass them. Help them out by being visible and riding intentionally.
- Look for turned wheels - indicating a driver about to jump into your lane.
- If you see erratic driving, stay away from that driver or ride past as quickly as is safe.
- Do not pass cars on the right. It's illegal, but more importantly, drivers do not expect it, and they rarely check behind them on the right. They could easily swerve toward the curb - pinching you against the sidewalk, or turn directly in front of you, sending you over the hood. Remember: most drivers do NOT signal right turns.
- Do not ride within "dooring" distance of parked cars.
- Take enough lane to be visible and command a space of your own on the road, and stay there. Ride as fast as you can so you're as close to traffic speed as possible, and ride near the middle of the lane, slightly right of center so aggressive drivers can pass you (better they be in front of you than behind, right?).
- Take special care to be predictable. Signal your intentions with hands, looks, or body language. Check behind you often, on both sides. There's nothing more dangerous than a slow, erratic cyclist.
- Unfortunately, I have personally experienced drivers who speed up just so they can make a right turn directly in front of me. If you are approaching a right turn and a car rushes up behind you, there is a 90% chance the driver intends to beat you to the intersection and make the right-hand turn before you get there. Don't battle the driver for position here. If an accident occurs in this situation it will technically be your fault and the aggressive driver probably cares little for your safety. Just slow down a little so you don't lose too much speed and let the driver make the turn.
- What are you doing in the road? Get moving or get out!
As you might have guessed by now, cycling in traffic is no leisurely affair. Your ride should be quick, active, and invigorating. If you're not up to such a ride, take the T.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Share The Road Safely
Cars aren't the only things with which we share the road. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other bicycle riders are also on the road in significant numbers. In Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, the pedestrians are all-powerful, the cyclists are aggressive, and motorcyclists are just as aggressive as cyclists - but with a bit more juice. The road-sharing customs of the Boston metro area are deeply entrenched, and you'll have a much better riding experience if you familiarize yourself with them.
Pedestrians
Cyclists hit pedestrians all the time in Boston and Cambirdge, occasionally resulting in death (really!). It happens a lot because pedestrians don't follow any rules of the road, and cyclists don't take this fact into account. If you're new to the Boston area, you may not yet appreciate the full extent of the pedestrian right-of-way. Pedestrians in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville do whatever they want, whenever they want, and the local police support this.
Pedestrians rarely use crosswalks - often choosing to leap out from behind parked cars instead. Be cautious when approaching blind spots, such as parked trucks and cars, and in areas crawling with pedestrians.
Motorcycles
Motorcyclists follow similar rules to cyclists - very few. They often do things they shouldn't, such as passing on the right, riding the line between lanes of stopped or slow cars, and going MUCH faster than traffic speed. When a motorcyclist is behind you, be very aware. There aren't that many motorcycles in the boston area. You'll find the deepest concentration of them cruising up Newbury Street downtown.
Other Cyclists
There are three types of cyclist in the Boston area Slow, erratic, and unaware cyclists increase your risk. If you're still a little intimidated by riding in traffic, remember that you may be posing s risk to cyclists behind you. To make everybody safer, remember what your teacher told you: share. Don't give up your place on the road, and don't hog it all for yourself.
9 Things You Shouldn't Do
****WARNING****
Every item on this list is unequivocally unsafe, putting you and others at risk. Please be a responsible cyclist.
****WARNING****
Blowing Red Lights
It's illegal and dangerous, but lots of riders do it to keep their momentum or get away from heavy traffic and dangerous drivers. If you're gonna blow a red light, make sure you assess traffic in all four directions, watch for cops (who might give you a ticket), and ride like the wind.
Passing on the Right
It's illegal for a reason. Don't linger in a car's right-side blind spot. If you're gonna do it, then hurry up and pass them decisively. Watch out for unaware drivers or drivers who are slowing down, indicating that they might be about to turn right. When passing trucks or buses, beware of being pinched between car and curb - you'll have to either gun it or slam on the brakes to escape crushed.
Riding on the Sidewalk
I have a friend who got "doored" while riding in the street. After that, she decided to ride on the sidewalk, thinking it was safer. A few months later, she hit a car coming out of an alley and went head-over-heels over the hood. Neither the driver nor my friend was aware of the other until it was too late. But only my friend had reason to believe such a collision was possible, because riding on the sidewalk is illegal in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. The sidewalk is not a place for bikes. Cops will ticket you for riding on the sidewalk. And it's annoying to everybody. don't do it!
Riding Between Lanes
Ride the "pipelines" between lanes of slow-moving and you can breeze through the city. These are pipelines are popular with bike messengers who ride fast and snake their way through traffic. You have to be fast to do it, because you'll be in danger of getting hit by drivers changing lanes suddenly. If you do decide to ride between lanes, watch your speed relative to traffic and re-assert yourself back into a lane as soon as is expedient. Finally, be aware of any cyclists behind you. If you stop suddenly there's nowhere for them to go up of side your head.
Riding Against Traffic
It's dangerous for you and every other user of the road. Rarely does it afford you a real time savings, since you have to pick your way carefully upstream. Your position is most dangerous in terms of speed relative to traffic, and others' awareness of you is severely limited. Don't ride against traffic!
Blowing Through Crosswalks
Snaking through pedestrians has to be done sometimes, especially given pedestrians' penchant for crossing en-masse against the light. Remember that they may either stop walking or start running when they see you coming. Use your voice to announce your intentions.
Riding Without a Helmet
Do whatever you want. Just don't come crying to me when you have to trade your bike for a motorized wheelchair.
Night Riding Without Lights
You should use lights and reflectors when riding at night. Even if you have them, and especially if you don't, you need to remember the following:
- Don't ride into parts of the road that are obscured by shadows - deep potholes are invisible and can wreck you.
- Unlike day riding, you'll almost always be riding slower than traffic, and it's much harder to ensure that approaching drivers can see you. To be seen, ride in the middle of the road whenever safe, and move to the right to let speeding cars pass. If a car approaching you from behind doesn't move toward the center of the road as it gets closer, then the driver probably doesn't see you. If in doubt, move far to the right or get out of the road.
- Make any maneuvers in well-lit areas. Move out of poorly lit areas fast, and DO NOT STOP IN THE ROAD.
Ironically, bike lanes often represent an area in which a cyclist should NOT ride. Stay 3 feet from parked cars to avoid running into suddenly-opened car doors.
Conclusion
That's all folks! Of course we haven't covered everything - such as checking your brakes, gears, and chain before a ride, and how to jump curbs/ride up stairs etc... but you can learn that stuff later. Have fun playing in traffic!
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