Foo - ~~oooh foo mousys i need your help. special road bikers

im takeing about a 20 mile ride to some trails today and it requires me to ride on the road the whole way there. last time i went i had to cross about 7 or 8 very buisy intersections and i would just get in the line of trafic and wait if it was a red light, then just move when the cars did, but everytime i did this i would get yelled at and ppl would be like get off the road! none of my buddies really know either so could someone please help?

It is legal for you to ride in traffic. do not ride against traffic, its illegial. The people that yell, IMO give them the "one fingered victory salute". Thats what I do.

I agree w/ roughrider except for the part about flipping them the bird. Hold your position, ride to the right when it's both safe and practicable, hold your line and take the lane when necessary. Obey the laws and ignore anyone telling you to get off the road or tell them you legally have to ride on the road and not the sidewalk. Use good sense and wear a helmet and make sure you're visible. No sudden moves and you should be fine. Watch out for cars turning right in front of you.

[e] And stay out of the door zone when riding along a line of parked cars. You don't want to get hit by someone opening the door right in front of you.

you're not doing anything wrong (from your brief description), relax, use your head, and f-em if they don't like it.

I agree w/ roughrider except for the part about flipping them the bird. Hold your position, ride to the right when it's both safe and practicable, hold your line and take the lane when necessary. Obey the laws and ignore anyone telling you to get off the road or tell them you legally have to ride on the road and not the sidewalk. Use good sense and wear a helmet and make sure you're visible. No sudden moves and you should be fine. Watch out for cars turning right in front of you.

[e] And stay out of the door zone when riding along a line of parked cars. You don't want to get hit by someone opening the door right in front of you.

^^^ Listen to this man! Keep your cool, and let the cage monkeys have a bad day on the road.

Just be ready for any morons. Seriously, people's minds seem to numb once they get bhind that wheel.

Oh, and if you don't have lights already, get some. Also be sure to ride predictably....some people may say do what you want/feel safest with....but if the driver can't figure out what you are going to do, then there is a very high chance of getting into a crash.

And finally....it takes some brass balls to deal with certain areas...there have been times where I have to force drivers to do what i want....such as me jumping into an intersection the second it turns green, so the opposing left turn traffic is unable to "squeeze" me into missing the light. Greenlight chicken, as I call it.