Advocacy & Safety - Where to ride in the road and signalling??

Where is the proper place on the road for a bike rider to be when sharing the road with cars? I know you must be on the right side of the road but should a rider stay on the shoulder if possible or on the road itself, either on the side or in the middle? I've seen all of the above as a car driver. Whats the right place to be? I just started riding again and want to be safe on the road. Where can I learn the "rules" of riding the roads safely and what to do and not do? Does a bike rider have to signal and so forth just like a car? Thank you.

The law in most places state that you must ride as far to the right as safely possible. Here's the text from my state's laws:


RCW 46.61.770
Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a rate of speed less than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and place shall ride as near to the right side of the right through lane as is safe except as may be appropriate while preparing to make or while making turning movements, or while overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or highway other than a limited-access highway, which roadway or highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near to the left side of the left through lane as is safe. A person operating a bicycle upon a roadway may use the shoulder of the roadway or any specially designated bicycle lane if such exists.

(2) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

[1982 c 55 § 7; 1974 ex.s. c 141 § 14; 1965 ex.s. c 155 § 83.]


Notice that it says "as is safe" which implies that the rider needs to make a judgement call as to whether or not they need to take the lane or remain to the far right. I generally find that if I'm moving close to the speed of traffic, I will take the lane. On a very fast descent, I will usually take the lane too since I'll need to "float" in the lane to maintain a safe line without overcooking the turn/curves or my brakes.

With the large variety of road conditions out there, there are no real hard and fast rules that will apply to every situation. However, here's a few 'rule's of thumb' that I've condensed over the years that may help as a guide.

1. Try not to hug the kerb. Ride at least a couple of feet and preferably a metre from the kerb.

1a. Generally I position myself relative to the centre line rather than the kerb. I allow enough width for cars to pass safely, but not much more. On really wide lanes if you drift too far off this line into kerbhugging territory, you become more or less invisible. If the lane is too narrow for this see 1.

2. The closer you're matching the speed of traffic, the more you move into the lane.

3. If the lane is to narrow to safely share with cars, take the whole thing.

4. Use whichever lane you would use if you were driving a car. eg. don't do a left turn from the kerbside. Get into that lane early.

5. If there is a paved shoulder or bike lane, use it if it is practicable to do so. If they are littered with debris (glass), or are too narrow (< 1m) they are impracticable to use. Move into the road proper.

6. Be predictable. Ride in a smooth straight line, signal your intentions, and don't make sudden lane changes across flowing traffic.

7. Lane splitting is fun

- actually that last one's not really a rule, but a very useful skill to have in jammed traffic.

It all depends on the conditions. In most places, the law seems to state that you should ride as far to the left/right (strike out whichever does not apply) as is safely possible. It is a judgement call, but I personally make a point of staying out of the gutter, out of the range of opening car doors and away from debris. And as was stated above, if the lane is too narrow to share safely, or if it puts me in a position to be vulnerable to a "hook" at an intersection, I claim it.

Most of the accumulated wisdom of road riders can be found in "Effective Cycling" by John Forester

Ride in the part of the lane where you can maintain a consistent line. What spooks and annoys drivers is bikes suddenly changing direction.

Predictability is the key to good relations with traffic.

If you're on a road with a nice, wide, clean paved shoulder, by all means ride in it.

But if it has occasional parked cars in it, don't ride on the shoulder and then swerve out to pass the parked cars. Pick a line in the through lane that passes the parked cars and hold that line.

If the road has a shoulder or bike lane that's full of broken glass and debris, ignore it and ride just inside the through lane.

When riding on streets with parked cars, your line should be outside the "door zone."

On 2-lane roads with no shoulder, don't encourage drivers to pass unsafely by hugging the edge. Take the lane, and make them pass you as they would pass any other vehicle. If a lot of traffic starts piling up behind you, it might be necessary to pull off occasionally and let them pass.

Consistency and predictability -- clear communication of your intentions through your positioning and body language -- combined with observing the rules of the road, are the keys to safe cycling.

RichC

Basically what Allister said.

Be clear and assertive with your signals, and make eye contact with drivers if you can. (Especially the blonde female ones :))

This is just what I need to know. Thank you all very much for this valubale, potentially life-saving information. I have learned things I did not even consider in this thread and will be safer on the road now! Big time thank you!

Originally posted by Allister
7. Lane splitting is fun

Maybe, but it's also potentially dangerous and in many locations illegal.

Personally, it's not advice I'd give to a new rider who wants to learn vehicular cycling and traffic safety.

RichC

One thing I heard not to long ago which I recently began to practice is giving myself the same room as I want the driver to give me.

The further away from the white line I am, the further the car is away from me when they pass. IOW: They will give you the same room you give yourself. If I'm six inches away from the line they seem to pass within 6", give myself two feet, they give me two feet.

I personally found Ken Kifer's Bike Pages on traffic safety to be invaluable.

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/traffic/index.htm

It also has links to similar sites about vehicular cycling.

:)

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Maybe, but it's also potentially dangerous and in many locations illegal.

Personally, it's not advice I'd give to a new rider who wants to learn vehicular cycling and traffic safety.

RichC

So, what, we shouldn't do things that are potentially dangerous? Better hang up your bike, dude.

Lane splitting is no more dangerous than any of the other practices I outlined in my post, you just have to learn to do it properly, like anything else.

BTW, nowhere did I advise anyone to do it. It's one of those borderline things that you really have to make up your own mind on. My own stance is that it's an invaluable cycling skill to have.

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Maybe, but it's also potentially dangerous

Life is potentially dangerous, as are many other activities we take for granted each day.


Originally posted by Rich Clark
Personally, it's not advice I'd give to a new rider who wants to learn vehicular cycling and traffic safety.

Lane splitting is a judgement call. It's something to be decided on the basis of the circumstances at the time, and if you're in slow moving, highly congested traffic and that is where the gaps are, it's probably the better option.

This publication will answer many questions about where to ride and how to handle basic traffic situations on a bicycle. It is available in print, as well as this on-line version:

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

Here's an excerpt:

Generally, the usable width of the road begins where you can ride without increased danger of falls, jolts or blowouts. A road may have a gravel shoulder, its edge may be covered with sand or trash or the pavement may be broken. Don't ride there. Closer to the center, there's better pavement, which is swept clean of sand and debris by the passing cars. The right side of the road begins here.

I prefer to ride towards the center of the lane (makes me more visible to a car) and then "give rightofway" when a car nears.

I agree with the other posters, but if you are going to ride out in the travel lane, be visible, be assertive but courteous, and be predictable!

Where I ride on the roadway is predicated by vehicles parked at the curb (kerb). I ride at least three feet to the left of a parked vehicle. It's not enough to try to peer ahead and anticipate a flung-open driver-side door. When a long stretch bereft of parking presents itself, I'll gladly drift right, as this is a courtesy to those with whom I share the right of way.

As to signaling, no gesture is too flamboyant. Be emphatic: your intent is to signal 'I am turning/stopping here!'. Riding in traffic is no place to be vague. Common sense should prevail, however. If traffic is dense and fast, sometimes it's simply safer to segue to the curb (kerb) to wait. There's no shame in using a crosswalk, either.

Lastly, choose your route well. It's all well and good to proclaim "I belong on the road!", but frankly there are thoroughfares upon which I wouldn't willingly ride without armor and a Gatling gun. If one street leads to where you wish to go, chances are that there are others.

Oh, and don't assume that motorized vehicles are your only threat. The witless come in all flavors and modes of transport.

-Rob