Road Vogue

Simple Principles

i. Two wheels or four, the law is the law. With equal rights come equal responsibilities. Obey all laws, signs, and signals. It's a lot safer following traffic rules than not.

ii. Go With the Flow.
RIDE RIGHT, with traffic, not facing traffic. Because it's unnatural, drivers often do not look in the direction of wrong way bicyclists.
THEY'RE NOT LOOKING THERE.
And, correct riding bicyclists are put into danger by wrong way riders who are in the same path.

iii. Skip the Sidewalk.
Drivers typically pull out at driveways or intersections without first stopping in front of the sidewalk or crosswalk. Turning vehicles from "your" road, visual and physical obstructions, pedestrians, and the narrowness of the sidewalk create further hazards. "Wrong way" sidewalk riding is doubly dreadful. Don't ride on sidewalks, but if you do where not specifically illegal, ride slowly, politely alert pedestrians, and be prepared to yield at all junctions.

There's a reason they are called "sideWALKS!"

iv. Appealing Yielding.
Yield when changing lanes or before making any lateral move within the lane. LOOK BACK for close traffic; don't trust your hearing only. A LOOK BACK signals you may want to turn, and gives drivers warning, but express your intents with hand signals.

      Hot Tip!   A LOOK BACK also a potent tactic for deterring aggressive passing. It humanizes the faceless bicyclist, and tells the driver he's being watched.


Next: Position Prudence