Road Cycling - Rules of the road

So if this is a dumb question, wave me off to a FAQ or something, but as a newbie who is still trolling trails, what are the rules of riding on the actual road ?

Seems to me you can't ride in the road due to steel boxes hurtling at you, but I would bet the shoulder has all sorts of crap on it. I guess I really havent paid attention to guys I see on the road -- do you ride the line on the side of the road ?

What about stop lights - do you get in the middle of the lane or stick to the side ?

I guess what I am getting at is that I am a bit nervous about venturing out on the road, and I am curious what are the 'tricks of the trade' for avoiding getting run over, having a flat every five minutes, etc. I am still too green to ride the roads yet - my comfort level is not there, but what should I be thinking about once I do ?

Ride as close to the side as reasonable, that is not over trash and not through the storm drains. Keep a steady distance from the side. Cars should still be able to pass you, but if the road is too narrow for cars to pass you safely, move out from the side a bit so they dont try.

Wear a bright visible jersey and helmet.

One of my indispensable tools is a helmet-mounted 3rd Eye mirror. It's flat, so it gives accurate depth perception, and I can look where I want to see with a little turn of my head. Knowing what's behind me is very important to my sanity :)

My general guidelines to riding on the road:

0) always wear your helmet and make sure that it fits so you can't peel it back or forward by hand, which requires a fair amount of tuning of the straps. If your bike shop is good, they'll be experienced in helping, or we can give tips on this.

1) be visible. Sane people will avoid colliding with you if possible, because there would be lots of paperwork ;)

2) be predictable. If moving out to avoid a parked car, do so gradually and smoothly. If planning to turn, make an arm signal in advance so others can plan accordingly. Think from the perspective of the other road users and try to be easy to "figure out."

3) be courteous and respectful of others' needs. Do unto others... :)

4) be observant. Predict and avoid developing situations that could be dangerous.

5) be legal. In the United States, you are specifically granted the same rights and responsibilities whether using a bicycle or a motorized vehicle on public roadways, per the Uniform Vehicle Code. "Drive" your bicycle in a vehicular style and you'll have a better chance of being taken seriously by other road users.

-always ride defensively. cars love to roll through stops and speed right up to the intersection....so beware.
-if there is a shoulder....take it, but some like to ride on the latter 1/3 of the lane so cars can see you and you don't blend with sidewalk/side traffic.
-while bikes are not the intended users of the roads (at least here in illinois) we are afforded the same rights to the road as motorized vehicles and should ride like we are in cars...
-keep a line - don't swerve....ride with traffic. cars don't like suprises...
-and above all....when a car load of hotties pick you up----act like you've been there before.

Make sure you make eye contact with drivers that may potentially harm you :)

I always keep my eye out for those making right turns because some have a habit of NOT checking their blind spots :rolleyes:

no headphones please:)

I agree with almost all of the above. I would add the following:

Give yourself minimally 1 meter/yard from the edge of the road. There are several reasons for this: a) part of defensive riding includes giving yourself an escape route; b) it will make your presence in traffic more obvious--you want to make the motorists think about you, even if what they think is not very nice. Not thinking and not paying attention causes most traffic accidents. Granted the 1 meter may not always be practicable, but always give yourself an escape.

Just like several others said, behave like a motor vehicle and be predictable.

With respect to stoplights. I tend to stick to the stripe of the lane I am in. If there is a right turn lane and I am going straight, I am on the left stripe of the lane. If I am turning left, I will get into the left lane, usually in the lane inself, since I am more vulnerable there.

Cheers,
Jamie

There some good guides to Vehicular Cycling.
Effective Cycling by John Forrester is mandatory reading for any newbie venturing onto the road. There are EC courses around as well. EC is about all the stuff you usually learn the hard way, road positioning, negotiation, the sources of danger.

Your own perception that danger comes from behind is typical of the misconception EC aims to change. Getting run down from behind accounts for about 1% of crashes. The other 99 come the front. Get it, read it, practice it.

Awesome - I was looking for some good cycling books. May be the computer geek bias - but I always feel better tackling new things if I can read about them first.

How does that book compare to some of the others that Amazon rates on the subject ?
Such as:

Bicycling Magazine's Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills: Your Guide to Riding Faster, Stronger, Longer, and Safer by Ed Pavelka (Editor), the Editors of Bicycling Magazine (Editor)

Smart Cycling: Successful Training and Racing for Riders of All Levels by Arnie Baker

The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride As Far As You Want by Ed Burke, et al

Maybe I should start a new thread on cycling books ?

Originally posted by KennethToronto
Make sure you make eye contact with drivers that may potentially harm you :)

Yup - great advise! I'm new to the road also and, I've been even trying to do this with autos that come from behind. I've found that even those drivers who want to "make it close" will give you room if you make eye contact.

Good luck! :D

Effective Cycling is the definitive guide to vehicular cycling. It is only about how to ride your bike as a vehicle on the public highway. It has nothing to do with cycling as a sport, and you shouldnt confuse the two. The other books are mainly about sport cycling .
If you need to ride on the road, as training for a sport event, you are still a vehicle.

Don't ever "shoot a bird".
Stay away from those areas in the shoulder where the concrete and asphalt separate.
Abandon your fear.

RollingGeek,

I think the best thing you can do is to contact a local bike club and go on an organized ride with them. The largest bike club in the DC area is PPTC. I'm sure that your bike shop has flyers. You can also visit their website at the following address: www.bikepptc.org (http://www.bikepptc.org/)

They have lots of rides all around the DC, MD, and VA every week. Riding with a group will give you a better sense of security than riding solo. So it's a good way to get started and build up your confidence.

I had some of the same feelings and questions when I started. I also got some of the same answers.

It was helpful for me to practice a bit on neighborhood roads, move on the connector roads when I was certain I was comfortable with my bike. Eventually, after a few weeks, I took a chance on the main roads during off-peak travel times. Now, any road is just a road to me.

Make certain you are visible. Follow the rules and be polite. Pay close attention to everything that is going on around you. Don't take chances, even when you are right.

Carl

Don't be the roadie who causes a pile up, because you will most likely end up at the recieving end of it.

I think I will stick to the trails for a while, until I have a bit more command of my bike. I wrecked it this morning - hit a guard rail dodging low hanging tree limbs...while I was on a sidewalk. Pretty dark at 4am....and somehow when i know I have only a limited space to ride in, ie. a sidewalk, I over correct and get wobbly. Add in a big dodge when that bush / tree limb suddenly loomed out and me and WHAM !! Hello guardrail.


Sidewalk...maybe that was part of the problem :)

I got some more endurance to build up, and power before I join a club. Not sure I could hang, I am in the rookie category right now.

Thanks for all the responses - this forum rocks !!

---Roadie Wannabie---

Originally posted by rollingeek
Pretty dark at 4am

Oh yea, it might be a good idea to get a light!

If you are a newbie at riding on the road then a bike club is the the way to go many have new member rides and they have levels from beginner to highly skilled riders...
its best to get friends and go riding
just know your limits and try to improve on them..
be seen be nice have fun!

Check your search engine and see if there are any cycle clubs in your area you don't have to join but many offer defensive riding classes (Forrester is mentioned above I took one of his courses and leared a lot ). Education is a good thing. Be polite, sometimes that is safer than being right :) and above all be seen! 'specially at night! here is a link to one of our local cycle clubs it is full of tips and legal stuff you may want to learn. granted it is Washington state laws but the laws don't really vary that much and when you read the code it is basically common sense.

www.cascade.org
click on the bicycling information link and scroll to the bottom of the page past all the map links and you will find some helpful info.

rolling geek: you should not be riding on the sidewalk as you said you were doing. That's what shoulders are for on a road, just find a quiet road and get used to a few cars going by, then when your ready jump up to a busier road. Who knows maybe someday you will traverse a small highway like the rest of us have. Good Luck.

Road bikes have smaller tires than mountin' or cruisers. these small tires can get into the cracks on the road. A friend of mine was going downhill on an older paved road, his front tire slipped into a road crack and the road crack narrowed, trapping his front tire. The tire locked and he went immedialtely into a full face on concrete. Major concussion, hospitablaized for 4 months..still ain't right in the head...just be cause of a damn crack.

watch the road in front of you, 15 years of commuting I have never (knock on wood) taken a dive because of a rut or crack in the road