1. Get a flashing red taillight, ensure it is working, visible and turned on at all times. A flashing white front light is also a good idea.
|
2. Get a mirror for your handlebar or helmet, and USE IT CONSTANTLY. Someone hollering “Car Back” is a nicety, it is your own responsibility to keep track of traffic.
|
3. If you feel you must ride two abreast and yak (which by the way, is a really bad practice), keep one eye in the mirror and get the hell over long before any vehicle approaching from the rear has to slow down for you. DO NOT depend on your senior citizen impaired hearing to warn you of traffic; if the wind is blowing you won't hear a car until it’s right on your butt. DO NOT depend on someone else warning you of “Car Back”.
|
4. We all know how to pass through an intersection. However, when you stop at an intersection to wait for others, consult your cue sheet or whatever, get your butt and your bike at least 2 feet off the pavement. Drivers approaching have no idea what you’re doing there, except creating a distraction and being in the way. Move out of their way, they already dislike you for just being on a bicycle.
|
5. Do NOT shortcut across intersections, traffic lights or ride on sidewalks, etc. Doing stuff like that creates a vitriolic hatred of ALL cyclists in vehicle drivers.
|
6. When riding in a group, we should split off into small groups of 2-4 riders, and leave a couple of hundred meters between groups. This is especially important on roads where there is medium to heavy traffic. This allows cars to pass a few cyclists, pull in if there is oncoming traffic, and then pull out again when the road is clear.
|
Chebucto Community
Net for hosting our site.