Bike Manners
Proper rules for being a courteous cyclist and friendly motorist.
We’re very pleased to welcome guest writer Trent Armstrong to our show, who will help us out today with tips for being a safer and more polite cyclist.
Cycling. This delicate dance of wind and gears would be beautiful if we didn’t have to share the road with big, gas guzzling cars. And when we were children, it was possible to avoid the motorways altogether. But most cities in the United States consider bicycles to be roadway transportation and cycling on sidewalks a potential hazard to pedestrians. Therefore, it’s essential to make certain that we all know the proper rules for being a courteous cyclist ,and alternatively for being a friendly motorist.
Rules Are Rules
First and foremost, cyclists MUST follow the rules of traffic as laid out by their state and local authorities including wearing a helmet. Motorists must follow these rules too, but that’s not why we’re here. There is, however, one exception to the law, which I will detail shortly, but the important take-away here is, being a cyclist on the roadway does not afford you any special privileges. In short, being in the road and on a bike does not make you special– and it certainly doesn’t make you invincible, so do you your research to ensure you can follow safe cycling habits.
Bikes on Sidewalks
Most city laws allow only small children who are learning to ride to actually do so on the sidewalk. So remember that in most places, sidewalks should be left to pedestrians.
Bikes’ Place on the Road
So now that you’ve been relegated to the road, let’s start with where to ride. Always ride WITH the flow of traffic, and just as slower traffic must remain to the right, cyclists must do so as well. That usually ends up being the right third of the far right lane unless the cyclist is making a left turn. While riding in the right lane, please take care and stay at least three feet to the left of any parked car.
This will thwart the attempts of any motorist to disassemble you or your bike with a suddenly opened driver’s side door. And please note that it’s just plain unsafe for any cyclist to ride between the curb and a parked or idling car.
Signals and Signs
It’s important to use proper signaling, which includes, but is not limited to, hand signals. In the US, signals should be made with the left arm so the signals are visible to traffic, and one should signal with enough time before a turn or stop to ensure that motorists have a chance to see the signals and are not forced to take evasive action at the cyclists expense. Some websites encourage using your right arm to signal a right turn. Just use your best judgment in making sure you communicate your intentions effectively.
Cyclists must always obey all stop lights, stop signs, and any other traffic signs. Bicycles should also treat themselves as a proper vehicle in traffic. If a line of cars is stopped at a stop light, it is not acceptable to speed by all the cars in order to get to the front of the line.
Triggering Traffic Lights
Most street lights have a magnetic detection system built into the pavement. If your bicycle is the only vehicle at a light, you should look for this mechanism and make an effort to trigger the sensor. But, frankly, sometimes that just doesn’t work. I mentioned one exception for cyclists earlier, and this is it. There is new ordinance called “The Rolling Stop” that is being used in the state of Idaho. This law allows cyclists to cautiously roll through a stop sign at a reduced speed and to continue through a steady red light once the cyclist has come to a complete stop and checked for oncoming traffic. Please be responsible and check your local laws since this does not apply everywhere.
There are certain high speed roads where cyclists are not allowed, but something you might want to keep in mind is that motorists are not typically educated to the fact that bicycles have as much of a right to be on the road as cars. That might remind you to always be completely aware of your surroundings and on the lookout for potential hazards on the road.
Also, one bad experience with a cyclists taints a motorists view of all cyclists. That stereotype becomes hard to break. So when more of us observe the rules of the road and respect those motorists and the rules they have to follow, we’ll begin to improve the situation for other cyclists.
A word to motorists
If you haven’t figured it out yet, cyclists have to be on the road. Please keep in mind that patience and a little breathing room for those on bicycles is best for everyone’s safety. It’s not just necessary for cyclists to be mannerly and follow the rules. Those of us in cars must exercise good manners as well.
So here’s hoping you have a safe and pleasant ride, and thank you for listening to Modern Manners Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life. Transcripts of this show can be found online at manners.quickanddirtytips.com.
Send your question and comments to manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. The Modern Manners Guy is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips Network, which is releasing its first book July 8–Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. Preorder it now anywhere books are sold.
The MannersCast
Finally, thanks to today’s guest-writer, Trent Armstrong, one of the hosts of another great manners podcast, The MannersCast, available at mannerscast.com.
LINKS:
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New Idaho Law for “Rolling Stop”
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