If I'm riding with traffic on a moderately busy road and another cyclist is riding towards me, against traffic, how are we supposed to avoid a collision? Is there some unwritten or instinctive rule about which cyclist moves out of the way and in which direction?

I ride with traffic, as do most of the cyclists around here. But there are a number who ride against traffic. I encountered two of them yesterday with one close call. I've also had a few close calls over the years on a portion of a busy highway.

Since the person riding against traffic is also violating the precept of riding predictably, I'd say the only guideline is to slow down and avoid getting hit. I'd give the same advice were you to poll me on falling rocks or charging elephants.

Ugg I hate that. Usually what I would do is pull as far to the right as you can (so they don't force you out into traffic) slow down and just tell them they are going the wrong way when they pass.

It really annoys me how people go the wrong way. I think cops need to enforce it more.

I just clothesline 'em as I go by. That'll teach em.


Seriously, though, I have never had a problem because all the wrong-way cyclists I have seen were either on the sidewalk or in the gutter. Since I take the lane when cycling, I have never had a problem.

I just take a quick check over my shoulder to make sure that there aren't any cars close behind me and I move out into the lane to let them pass inside. I figure its safer that way, cars somewhat expect a cyclist going with traffic to move into the lane more than they would someone riding straight at them, plus its probably safer for the wrong way rider to be closer to the curb, if that makes sense... Sometimes the wrong way rider takes the lane to let me keep my course before I let him, either way as long as both of us see each other it's no big deal.

Personally, I don't have any qualms with riding into traffic for short stints as there's usually enough room on the side of the road but when I happen to pass another cyclist going the right way I feel like a pretty big d-bag. Like I said though, as long as you both see each other it's usually not a big deal to get around.

The other cyclist obviously wants to joust

^Obviously.

I just check for cars and go around them. Look at them like they are crazy/stupid as you go by....maybe they will get the hint.

I stay to the right, if they are stupid enough to go the wrong way , they can be the one to move into traffic. And I make sure they see me roll my eyes and shake my head.

If there are no cars, I speed up and go straight at them, forcing them to stop, and hope they get the hint

Yeah, I play chicken with peds, cyclists, cars, trucks, boats and even airplanes. I'm an immortal, I can do that.

I hold my line close enough to the curb so it makes them to around on the traffic side.
Obviously they are riding that way so they can see oncoming traffic. If they can see so well, then they can take the outside.

Silly wrong way cyclists.

He's not a vehicle, he's chosen to be a pedestrian on wheels, really just a moving obstruction. I move left to go around obstructions.

Lower your shoulder!

I usually deal with them like I would any other obstruction......I look for a break in traffic, signal, an then go left around them. I usually mention pleasantly, "You're going the wrong way!"

Doesn't seem to help.

I was riding around philly one day and i saw an instructional group for new bike cops riding the wrong way in the bike lane. I told them they were idiots and they should know that they aren't supposed to do that.

I truly believe that the majority of cyclists who are riding the wrong way don't know they are supposed to ride with traffic. I think you should just give them the benefit of the doubt and move left. Some of you who force them to move or "play chicken" or glare at them sound like children. They probably think you're crazy.

That could simply be because I am a child,

For me it is usually joggers that go against traffic. So far, when we have met, there has been no traffic right behind me, so I decided to keep my momentum up by going around. If there are cars, I will hold my line and stop if necessary.

Presumably, they are travelling against traffic so that they can see approaching traffic and avoid being hit? Well then, wouldn't I, therefore, be the "traffic" they are trying to see and not be hit by? Whats the point of jogging or riding in this manner if you are not going to get out of the way?

If the point of jogging or riding in this manner is thinking that a car driver will slow down and give you more room if they can see your face, I don't know how effective a strategy that would be. The act of an operator looking at something typically results in the vehicle drifting towards what the operator is looking at, not away from it.

i actually havent encountered this (though i saw one when i was driving in my car), i would just go as close to the curb as possible to force them to go on the outside towards traffic. no reason you should have to risk yourself because this dumb ******* is going the wrong way.

on the sidewalk (in places where most people wouldnt ride in the road) i have no problem with people riding on the left side, i even do it myself. but in the road noone should be riding on the wrong side....

On that note, why do pedestrians use the streets when there are perfectly good sidewalks available? My neighborhood has a rash of folks who do this, often walking slowly in the middle of the street.

I think this is basically correct, with a small caveat: this particular obstruction has proven itself to be unpredictable, so fully expect it to lunge for you.

I typically walk my dog in the street although there's sidewalks on both sides of every street in my neighborhood.

I've never made a conscious decision to do so, and I am on the sidewalk some, but not all the time.

- people leave their cars parked over the sidwalk area of their driveway
- plants/shrubs grow out and cover or crowd the sidewalk
- awkward sidewalk transitions

Anyway... these are ridiculously wide neighborhood streets with very little traffic, and noone would risk messing up their SUV by hitting 350lbs of man+dog.

They can only do it if they say WOOOOOOOoooo WOOOOOOOoooo while they do it.

I absolutely refuse to go out into traffic to accomodate someone who is breaking the law. I start yelling way in advance 'you are on the wrong side of the road'. If that doesn't do it I motion them to move over out into traffic. If they are stupid enough to keep coming at me then they better rig themselves for a collision, a shoulder or a forearm cause it is coming. I will not move over into traffic for them. And yes, my position on this issue is militant. They aren't pedestrians on wheels, they are lawbreakers. Pedestrians, joggers, parked cars, and other similar obstructions have a lawful right to be where they are. Wrong way bikers don't. Move out of the way, duck or bleed. Their choice.

Bingo! At least in my mind. One of the best things you can do as a cyclist is be predictable, and in my mind, if I can't tell right away that they see me and intend to pass by going further into traffic, then all bets are off. In some cases, me going into traffic has been the logical choice, and in others its been apparent that they were going into traffic. Were it a clear case of chicken, I'd begin slowing down and getting out into traffic. Not that I like accommodating others in this instance, but in general it just is overall a better thing to do. And then I silently judge them as they ride by on whichever side they happen to be on.

And... the only reason I don't become hostile to these actions is that I try to keep a cool head on my shoulders. I have been known to have problems with road rage while in my car, and I don't need that to translate to my bike. Additionally, in speaking with some of my elders (dad and aunt specifically) I have come to learn that in years past they were taught to ride against traffic - and for many who only biked while they were younger and not more as they grew older, that notion was passed down to their children who are now beginning to bike. The best I think you can hope for is mentioning "wrong way" as they pass and then maybe they'll learn. Doubtful because if you're passing at any speed, it just sounds like "Wrooooooo" or some such. Dang doppler effect.