Your First Three Years ~ Part 6:

Traffic Survival 101

A Guide for Beginner (and Experienced!) Cyclists, to the Art and Practice of Cycling.  Becoming Proficient, Fit, and Happy on your bike.

Riding on the road, in traffic is actually fairly simple.  However, like many “simple” things, it is not always easy.

NOTE:  What follows is just a “bare bones” discussion of the most basic situations and strategies.  We’ll treat a lot of this in much greater detail in future posts

At first, the mere thought of taking a bicycle out onto a roadway can be intimidating.  After all, a very small car is made up of steel, glass, plastics and weighs in around a ton.  We on bicycles are not enclosed.  If we fall, or are knocked over we will be injured.  Reason tells us that to mix in with motor traffic is crazy.  But then think a little farther.  Any collision between automobiles is extremely dangerous.  Yet we drive without giving the risk much thought.  (Perhaps this last may explain some of the highway statistics.)

The truth is, most drivers are careful and conscientious.  Most are at least marginally courteous.  More, there are rules that govern how we all behave on the roadways, and most follow them.

The first thing to remember about road cycling is that a bicycle is considered to be a vehicle.  Cyclists, on the road, are expected to behave as operators vehicles.  That means we certainly are entitled to operate on the roadways.  We are expected, and required, to ride with the direction of traffic, obey traffic signals, conform to speed limits, signal our intentions.  In short, if we follow the rules, we are just as much entitled to the use of the roadway as any motorist.  (There are exceptions.  Limited access roadways, such as Interstate Highways, are not open to cyclists.)

So, if we follow the rules, then that’s it?  Right?  Well, not quite.  Road riding takes a bit of practice, and there are some special some considerations to using a bicycle in traffic.

Be Seen!:

Bright Clothing.  Flashing tail lights.  Reflectors.  Lights (at night).  Think about the sun direction.  Ride to be visible.

Look like you belong!:

This actually makes a difference.  Wear your helmet.  Ride with respect for the rules of the road, and for other road users.  Ride with purposeful and controlled motion, and always signal.  These things convey to other road users that you know what you are dong, and that you belong out there.

Situational Awareness, Know what is going on around you:

It is not possible to overstress this one.  When riding on the road, we must be aware of our surroundings.

This means:

• Using a mirror, or the “lookback” regularly, to scan traffic behind us
• Scanning the traffic ahead for problems
• Watching driveways and parked cars
• Checking cross streets before we arrive at them
• Use your hearing too!  (Sorry, music players have no place in traffic)
• And watch for pedestrians and other cyclists, often highly unpredictable and erratic!
• Stay focused!  Be Alert!  Be Aware!

Road positioning, how to be stable:

Have you ever been driving and come up behind a cyclist?  What do you look for and what do you think?  If the rider is apparently unaware, or not in constant control, it causes you stress and confusion.  A rider who is not stable on the road, who makes abrupt zig-zags, causes you concern.  Right?  Think what that does to drivers who are not cyclists.

One of our more important tasks, while riding in traffic, is to be predicatable.  Maintaining a steady and stable position on the road is critical to this task.

When riding along the road, position yourself to the right hand side of the road, and stay stable!  This is best done by looking at a point well ahead of yourself, and riding to that point.

Do not suddenly change position on the road, and don’t change position without signalling your intent to do so.  Be confident of your position and project this confidence.

NOTE:  Often new (and not so new) road riders have a fairly rational fear of being too close to traffic.  This will cause some of us to make moves that are really dangerous.  Here’s an example:  The rider is moving steadily ahead on the road.  There is some traffic approaching from the rear.  Ahead is a side street, and there is a right turn lane.  The rider moves into the turn lane, to give traffic more room to pass.  This is a mistake!  This manuver says to an overtaking motorist,  “I am about to make a right turn, you can forget about me.”  It also sends a signal to a driver who is approaching the major road from the right.  It signals that the cyclist is turning right, and will not cross in front of that driver.

Simply put; Do NOT enter right turn lanes, unless you are about to turn right.

Get out of the Way!:

Yes, we do have a “right to be there”!  Yes, we are legitimate vehicle operators.  That said, there are times when the “better part of valor” is to make a move to make things easier for all.

Some motorists are extremely afraid to pass a cyclist.  Oddly, these can be more dangerous than the types who “buzz” us, or who will “force” a pass.  The hestitant motorist can cause a huge amount of traffic to pile up behind them.  Sooner or later someone in the long and growing line of delayed drivers will have a “mental meltdown.”  What follows can be extremely dangerous for all concerned.  Sure, the hestitant driver is the one who is actually impeding the flow of traffic.  But you are the percieved problem, and are likely to be the one who will suffer.

Sometimes, the wisest course is to pull off to the side of the road, and let traffic sort itself out.  This manuver rarely costs you more than a few seconds to a minute, and could be a life saver.

When to “Take” the road:

Georgia traffic code explicitly categorizes bicycles as vehicles.  This gives cyclists the same road “rights” as are enjoyed by other operators.  At the same time, the code requires us to ride to the right hand side of the road, so as not to impede the regular flow of traffic.  Now here’s an important point.  The code does not say we must be at the far right at all times.  There is some “safe and practicable” language in the code.  This means that if it is not safe to be at the extreme right, or there is a practical reason to be positioned farther out in the road, we may certainly  do so.

In other words, we are not required to fall into the sinkhole, or ride over the sleeping tiger.  But we are wise to spot these obstructions and “clear” traffic behind us, rather than just darting out to swerve around an obstruction.  Also, if the road is so narrow that a safe “pass” is not possible, we are allowed (possibly required) to take the center of the lane.  (Take the road.)

Do not be trapped at the far right when coming to a traffic signal.  This means stop signs, yeild signs, or traffic control lights.  Under these conditions, being at the far right “invites” the following motorist to pull up beside us, and we are in danger of being struck by a righ turning, overtaking vehicle. 

When a situation is coming up:

• Look ahead and plan
• Check behind
• Adjust speed as necessary
• “Take the lane”
• Proceed through the intersection when safe and legal
• Expedite the move through the intersection (don’t be slow)
• And then return to the right as soon as practical and safe.

Think ahead!  Always have an “out”:

Does this really require explanation?  Be prepared to “dodge” trouble, and know where and when to do so.  Remember, a fall is always preferable to a crash.  Minor damage to a bike can be easily repaired, major damage to a body is a bit harder.

Avoid confrontation:

Little is gained, and often much lost by engaging motorists in shouting matches.  So the clown called you a name, or expressed his ignorance.  How does this hurt you.  Keep the coments to yourself, and your middle finger folded around the bar.  Shouting matches don’t solve anything, and they have a nasty way of escalating.  Remember!  When you share the trail with an elephant, if anyone stumbles you lose!

What about road rage?:

True “Road Rage” is a lot more rare than many think, but it does occur.  If you are being bullied or are dealing with a truly enraged and aggressive driver…  END IT NOW!  Get off of the road.  Run up to a house.  Duck into the woods.  Get away.  Then call 911.  Honest, the police will take it seriously.  But we are not equipped to do battle with a case of irrational temper aided by a two ton weapon.

Where, When, and How to Stop:

For some inexplicable reason, many cyclists will have a tendency to stop riding while still on the road.  This can be to allow other riders to catch up, or to deal with an equipment problem, or just to take a break.  There seem to be two kinds of locations for this behavior, neither of them good or safe.  1)  At intersections.  2)  On the road for no apparent reason.  Just don’t do this!

If we need to stop, we are certainly entitled to do so.  But if we are going to stop, we should signal our intentions, and then GET OFF OF THE ROAD!  And that means completely off of the road, not just a couple of inches.  Don’t obstruct travel lanes.  Don’t obstruct traffic.  Don’t present your fellow road users with unpleasant “surprises.”

Remember always, intersections are for getting through.  They are not a good place for a party or a picnic.

Next Week: Riding in groups 101

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This series began with the post on Tuesday, 19 June 2012.  It is intended to continue for three years.  Each week, we will discuss exercises, skills, practices, and activities designed to bring the new (or “experienced”) rider a high level of cycling competence.  We’ll address common problems, and (always) stress safe practice.

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A Note on Timing:  This series uses Mid-June as the starting point of the “Cyclists Year.”  We do this because this is the time that most folks decide to start riding.  If you are following this guide, you can “adjust” the timing to fit your personal “first three years.”  Do note that some of the posts will concern weather and seasonal changes.  When that starts to happen, just swap the “months” around to fit your personal timeline.