4 ms·

I see your point. If the speed limits are not too high though, you might want to try riding on the roads and using some tactics that help me (at least): * If y

I see your point. If the speed limits are not too high though, you might want to try riding on the roads and using some tactics that help me (at least): * If you hear a car coming up on you, always turn your head and look back at the car so that they know you see them and because faces command attention. This quick look also gives you an idea of how much the driver notices you, that is, if you have to bail in a hurry. * If there are cars around in general, ride with a rigid posture that makes you appear a more formidable object. * Keep close enough to the center of the road that motorists think twice before passing you, move over briefly if you want them to be able to pass (they'll appreciate it). * Always signal your intentions if there is any traffic, bicycle or otherwise. Critical mass has to start somewhere! :^)

malandrew 13y ago
Upvote for staying near the center of the road, but remember that that is only permitted on 14-15+ ft wide lanes (don't worry, the overwhelming majority of city lanes are not this wide). If the lane is wider than that, you should stay to the right (but you are within your right to stay outside the door zone)
- lutorm 13y ago
  IIRC, CA law says bicyclists should ride as far to the right as practicable. I think it even says bicyclists may be justified in taking the entire lane if conditions so require.
  - mindslight 13y ago
    Also, it's prudent to consider one of those conditions to be aggressive behavior from a car behind you (horn, etc). They're proudly boasting of their non-understanding of how to fluidly pass non-lane-width traffic, so it's just safer to take the full lane and ensure they'll either change lanes or wait for a lull in oncoming traffic instead of half-passing then cutting into you.
    - malandrew 13y ago
      Exactly. One of my accidents was when a taxi driver honked at me, tried to overtake and hit the front of my bike and pulled in my front tire when trying to aggressively merge back into the lane I was in. Completely destroyed the front end of my bike. I was able to jump off the bike away from the vehicle to avoid getting hurt.
  - malandrew 13y ago
    There are several conditions that allow the bicyclists to ride in the middle of the lane and ignore the "stay as far to the right as practicle" rule. The most common of them is the "substandard width lane", which has been established to be any lane narrower than about 14-15 ft

malandrew 13y ago

Upvote for staying near the center of the road, but remember that that is only permitted on 14-15+ ft wide lanes (don't worry, the overwhelming majority of city lanes are not this wide). If the lane is wider than that, you should stay to the right (but you are within your right to stay outside the door zone)

lutorm 13y ago
IIRC, CA law says bicyclists should ride as far to the right as practicable. I think it even says bicyclists may be justified in taking the entire lane if conditions so require.
- mindslight 13y ago
  Also, it's prudent to consider one of those conditions to be aggressive behavior from a car behind you (horn, etc). They're proudly boasting of their non-understanding of how to fluidly pass non-lane-width traffic, so it's just safer to take the full lane and ensure they'll either change lanes or wait for a lull in oncoming traffic instead of half-passing then cutting into you.
  - malandrew 13y ago
    Exactly. One of my accidents was when a taxi driver honked at me, tried to overtake and hit the front of my bike and pulled in my front tire when trying to aggressively merge back into the lane I was in. Completely destroyed the front end of my bike. I was able to jump off the bike away from the vehicle to avoid getting hurt.
- malandrew 13y ago
  There are several conditions that allow the bicyclists to ride in the middle of the lane and ignore the "stay as far to the right as practicle" rule. The most common of them is the "substandard width lane", which has been established to be any lane narrower than about 14-15 ft