Originally Posted by
chgurlsng
How do you deal with the constant fear of being hit by a car? My commute to school is only 3 miles. Part of it has a bike lane and a separate MUP if I so choose to use it. I then have to turn onto a busy two lane road that has no shoulder whatsoever. I have to cross a main four lane intersection and go over railroad tracks which gets a little awkward when I'm behind a school bus. At least 3 times per morning, I can just barely reach out and touch a car trying to pass me.
If I use the sidewalk, it takes me 45 minutes to get to school because I have to keep crossing the street using crosswalks since the sidewalk doesn't go the whole way down on both sides. The right side of the road has an OK sidewalk that gets me almost the whole way to school, but the left side is abysmal (pot holes, no ramps, etc). At the main four lane intersection, I have to switch over to the left side of the road because that is where the only crosswalk is, and then the sidewalk ends shortly after the intersection so I have to switch back over to the right side without the use of a crosswalk and the cars are not very friendly when trying to cross here because they're thinking about the green light at the major intersection coming up.
I don't like using the sidewalk because it takes forever, but I also don't like using the road because I don't feel safe. I sat down and played with Google Maps, but the only alternative route that I could figure out still crosses over that busy four lane road, and it would take me into a very shady part of town. I wouldn't be stuck on the busy two lane road for two miles, though.
First, kudos to you for riding your bike to work. Now, let's help you find the safest and most efficient way of getting there. You've already discovered that it isn't very efficient to ride on the sidewalk. It's bumpy, there are cutouts, and it doesn't go all the way At 4 mph (3 miles/.75 hour), you may as well walk.
Also, it isn't very safe. You're far more likely to be hit by a car coming out of a driveway or parking lot if you ride on the sidewalk, especially if it's on the counter-flow side of the road. Why? Because cars aren't looking for you because they aren't expecting riders to be there.
So, where could you ride where it is efficient and safe? The road.
Now that we've decided where to ride, let me give you some tips on how to ride:
1.
Be visible. That means wearing reflective gear and blinkies.
2.
Be predictable. Ride a straight line as much as you can. Don't weave around parked cars. Look up the road and pick a line that gets you there, keeping in mind that you need to ride as far right as practicable. Practicable does not mean possible. It means as far right as is reasonably safe, taking into account the width of the road, the condition of the road, and any potential hazards. That means glass and other crap that collects in the gutter. It also means car doors. I can't stress this enough. Think of the widest door you can (I use a Ford F-150 in my mind) fully extended into the lane. Now give yourself 6 more inches to clear it. That's your line and if that puts you in the motor traffic lane, that's your lane. (Where there's no shoulder, a lot of riders pick the right wheel track.)
3.
Be assertive. You don't have to be a dick, but you have to be confident. You have a right to that part of the road, so act like it. I have found over many years of commuting and training on the road that motorists do not want to hit you. And if you ride like you know what you're doing, they'll act accordingly. Hold your line, make eye contact, maybe smile and wave, but don't let them bully you.
4.
Be alert. Keep in mind that even though motorists don't want to hit you, they do stupid things and don't pay attention. You need to pay attention for them and assume that someone will do something stupid. After awhile, you'll find that you have a good sense of vehicular body language and you'll be able to predict whether a car will turn before it puts on a blinker (or doesn't bother). You'll listen better and start seeing around corners using reflections in store windows and shadows on the ground.
Have a good ride!