ironhands

Yeah, so, after nearly a year of sticking to the sidewalks, I'm mostly confident enough to move onto the road. It's a pretty busy street, 6-8 lanes, usually pretty backed up in rush hour without a dedicated lane, just those "hey, bikes to go here" symbols.

Let sidewalk riding hate commence lol. They're almost always deserted, I almost never pass anyone on the ride.

Anyway, had a question about etiquette. Since this road is almost always backed up, should I remain behind the car in front of me and move with traffic (particularly at stoplights), or should I use the gap to continue moving up to the lights? No honks yet doing that, anyway.

Still getting sudden attacks of weakness now and then while I ride, have to slow to a crawl

jyossarian

If you're in a WOL (Wide Outside Lane), usually the right lane, you can ride on the right of traffic to the light or behind whatever cyclists are in front of you. Sometimes, drivers hug the right side making it hard for you to pass comfortably. In that case, you can choose to wait behind them, or do what I do which is pass around them on their left, then move back to the right when there's room and it's safe to do so.

As for riding on the sidewalk in the suburbs where traffic generally moves at 60-90 kph, I'm not against it, but the law is so be careful.

auldgeunquers

I usually avoid riding on the sidewalk - but I make exception when I am transporting kids by bike - but even then I only use the sidewalk on the busiest streets. And I ride slow on the sidewalk - even though they are deserted - except for the people far to old to be riding on the sidewalk who are using the sidewalk as a contra-flow lane on one way streets (because moving up or down the short block to the next one-way would be asking far too much).

One thing to remember about riding a sidewalk is that traffic entering and exiting driveways are may not be looking out for bikes on the sidewalk. They should be. This is legal riding space for kids. But if you are bombing down the sidewalk as fast as your grown up self can go you will surely have issues with drivers exiting driveways because you will come up on them much faster than they will expect. Physics is on their side, eh? This is especially true if yo are riding contra-flow on a one-way. The driver may not spare more than a glance in your direction.

One thing that greatly complicates all of this is that so many people on bike don't know and don't care what the laws and rules are that regulate bicycle traffic - and even if they did they would not care to abide by those rules. The result is that bikes are extremely unpredictable. None of us - drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists - can reasonably predict what someone on a bicycle will do.

I guess the end of my ramble is that I am in favour of getting as many people as possible to know the laws an rules governing bike traffic and to follow them (as much as safely possible - that's another topic!) so as to increase general safety for all by increasing predictability.

Ironically - and I know this is a real problem - such a scenario will increase risk for scoff-laws.

So - passing traffic stopped at a light? 2 questions - what is the law, and what is safe?

... and is the car in question indicating (or hinting at) a right turn, eh?

Wilfred Laurier

if you are in a marked 'lane'
than I would think you should have no reason
legal or moral
to worry about passing on the right
watch out for people
turning
using the bike lane to drive aggressively
letting off passengers
etc
but otherwise no problem

however
if you are sharing a single rightmost lane
you should wait in line
imho
just to not be a jerk
especially on a road where people are driving considerably faster than you between lights

if
however
you are talking about gridlock in a city core
and cars are unlikely to catch up to you between lights
then pass away
because if they aren't catching you you
then you aren't holding anyone up

tuanthaolove05

Hi, I'm live in Ho Chi Minh City of VietNam, I go to work by bike.
In Vietnam, haven't got lane for bikes, And I ride on the street with motorcycles and any car. It's terrible and dangerous but I still ride everyday
In HCM city, sidewalks is owned house, is business place or , parking front that's stores.
In Canada, I see on google maps, has lanes for bikes. That is very pretty look.

auldgeunquers

Welcome to the forum tuanthaolove05.

Here we are discussing the dangers and etiquette of riding on the street in Canada, and someone from a place like HCM city joins in. Makes me thinks that maybe we haven't got it so bad here.

One advantage I think you have in HCM city is that bikes are an expected part of traffic. Here bikes have been seen a recreational toy for many for a long time. Some people look right past a bike because they don't expect to see one. Others feel bikes are a nuisance because they are slower than a car, and therefore should not share roads with motorized traffic, despite the fact bikes have the same right to use of public roads as any other vehicle (limited access freeways excepted of course).

In any case - welcome again. I look forward to hearing more of your perspective.

tuanthaolove05

Hi auldgeunquers,
This is my family, and we often ride at weekend in countryside. My children go around our building everyday evening and I don't agree about them go on main street by bikes without me.They've ride 6-10 km a days

This morning, I go to work by bike and take some photo about street , where did i go every days. In hight time, A lot of motocycles, any casr, bus and a little of bike go on a street with slow speed, I think 5-10 km/hour


Sometimes, some persons think i'm a stupid, because they can move very fast with motocycles, and will tired if they ride a bike.


Sometimes, some persons think i'm a stupid, because they can move very fast with motocycles, and will tired if they ride a bike.
I agree with you, in HCM, bikes have been seen a recreational toy and many many alot of people don't want to buy and ride.
Motobikes move very fast and maybe collision anytime with other.Last week, my friend go to hospital because a drunken man collision with him


And this is a pictures, in front of store(BÚN- style breakfast in VietNam) that is sidewalks, Can you see a parking of motorbikes, when the store had more customer. Sidewalks is full with motorbikes. which lane dedicated for bikes?

auldgeunquers

Hi tuanthaolove05,

Thanks for the photos of HCM city life. One thing that caught my eye is the fence dividing the two side of the street. That is something we don't have to deal with here. Road that are divided are normally high speed freeways with limited access - meaning bicycles are not allowed, and motorcycles and other vehicles must be capable of cruising at a minimum speed. Urban streets are normally divided with a simple painted line, or are designated as one-way streets. Sometimes a street may be divided by a strip of greenery, but a dividing fence on an urban street ... that is outside of my experience.

My children don't ride on their own yet - but I can appreciate how in must make you nervous when they ride out of your sight. I am both looking forward to seeing them ride, and dreading the dangers they will face that I won't be able to mitigate for them.

I would be interested to see any photos of your weekend country side outings. I understand Vietnam can be very beautiful.

Peace to you and yours.

auldgeunquers

.... Uhm .... I seem to have gone off topic a bit here. So sorry.

MattzCer

Great info
Well done

Wanderer

Streets were like that in Vietnam, even in the 60s. The biggest difference, there used to be a LOT MORE bicycles.

MattzCer

I so agree and less cars

Daniel4

Slower traffic keep right. But if traffic is all backed up and the bicycle is faster, then motorists are the slower traffic so pass them all on their left (ie filtering).

Jimsl78

I live in the suburbs and find the roads safer and more predictable than the "shared" bike paths / walkways that we have along park lands. People who don't understand that these pathways are shared with rollerbladers, skateboards, dog walkers, runners, cyclists etc. I find many people are walking along oblivious to their surroundings, as you approach ringing your bell they don't react until the last moment, (sometimes so startled that they step into your path) At least drivers have some sense of whats around them. Last spring I broke a rib because there was a family riding bikes from the oncoming direction with their heads in the clouds, I was only doing about 20 Km /hr. and started ringing my bell from at least 50 metres before I reached them. There was plenty of room on my "lane" me to pass but someone reacts with panic and crosses my path at the last second, I end up breaking my fall with the end of their handlebar in between my ribs and the pavement. None of them got hurt and the lady had the gall to blame me for riding too fast. Now I just assume most people who go for walks or walk their dogs are complete idiots to stay clear of, or better yet use the road and go as fast as I please!