I actually have more problems with cyclists and pedestrians than I do with cars (granted the ones with cars are going to be a LOT more frightening). Based on that statement...here's a few tips...

Look salmon directly in the eyes...maybe a slight head shake to let them know they're behaving poorly and you're not moving for them.

Watch the sidewalks, especially at lights, for jay walkers and idiots stepping out in front of you. I will yell to alert people if I see a potential problem. Pedestrians are looking for cars, not bikes, when they check for traffic.

STAY AWAY from kids on bikes...they often lack control and behave foolishly. Slowly pass them and then speed up. This is especially true on MUPs.

Signal...even if it's not neccassary. I find that cars respect you more if you do.

There is NEVER an excuse or reason to ride on a busy sidewalk in a high traffic area. NEVER. If you need to use it, get off the bike and walk it. In a residential area...like a suburb or neighborhood...I might slip onto one very briefly, but I generally avoid them. I know how annoying it is as a pedestrian to have cyclists on your path.

I do a rolling stop at stop signs (unless there is poor visibility) and treat reds as stop signs. It's not strictly legal, but I find it to be safer and that it helps to avoid cars that are turning.

I will filter...just as cars try to pass me when they're faster, I try and pass them. I do it responsibly and carefully. I've found it does annoy cars, but I've come to accept the occassional honk so as to avoid standing behind them and sucking exhaust fumes. I also try and stick to roads with paths to avoid having to filter.

Have a good attitue when you commute. You shouldn't bike commute with a chip on your shoulder. You should be happy go lucky and it will alleviate many a problem.

Absolutely right. Lao-Tzu said, "Best to be like water, which does not contend." Highly visible water, of course (so wear those bright colors)!

Re filtering: I think this really depends on the road. Around here most roads have bike lanes. I stay in the lane and move up to the light.

Some no-nos I haven't seen yet:

Don't forget something at home you need at work (e.g. your pants). I found it helps to develop a routine (I pack my stuff the night before).

Don't forget to check the weather. Around here a day can start out nice and turn nasty pretty quickly.

Don't forget to take it easy: Daily commuting can take a toll if you are hammering to work every day. Slowing down only costs a few minutes, but makes a big difference in fatigue level.

Paul

Do not ever confront motorists. I see that every now and again that a cyclist gets into a shouting match; and I can't believe it. I did that once with a middle age, mellow looking lady when I pointed out (very politely) to her that she just past me with barely 2 inches to spare. She got so angry she tried to run me over. Didn't expect that at all from her.

With filtering, if I'm in a lane that is wide enough to share, I'll move right up to the light. If it's narrow enough that I expect to take the lane when everything's moving, then I will sit in traffic. Effectively, I consider the wide curb lane to be an unmarked bike lane.

Never ride on sidewalks or against traffic (counter-flow lanes excepted). I'll admit there have been occasions where I've broken this rule - usually cases where I suddenly found the road I was on turning into a one-way against me where I least expect it - but it's certainly something to avoid. Really, in those situations, I should get off and walk. A cyclist can easily become a pedestrian, but you do have to get off the bike. Aside from being inconsiderate to pedestrians, research shows that sidewalks are the most dangerous place to ride.

Helmets are a personal preference. Don't lecture or scorn those who make a different decision than you. Lights are a must in the dark, so feel free to lecture and scorn the ninjas.

I hate hi-vis for fashion reasons, but it is really effective at making you stand out, and does encourage cars to give a wider berth.

Edit - oh yeah, almost forgot. Always remember that cars are driven by sheep. If one car in a line makes the turn, it takes something really big and obvious to prevent the next one from following. You are not big and obvious, the line will continue to go, even if you have the right of way.

And a final must-do. If a car advertising "student driver" is nearby, and is yielding their right of way to you, don't take it. Sit until they go. I figure with older drivers, they're just morons, but with the student drivers there's an excellent opportunity to actually learn the rules of the road. You'll quickly find that drivers improperly yielding right of way is more legal, but just as annoying as improperly cutting yours off.

Holy jeebus. I've been commuting daily for nearly two years, and regularly (if not daily) for the past 10 years, and reading all this stuff is making my head explode. I can't imagine what I'd think if I were new to the idea of commuting by bicycle.

With regards to any of the advice here, there are many common sense things to think about when riding a bike in traffic that people in cars never consider. That you're asking the questions means that you're headed in the right direction.

There are no absolutes. Even sidewalk-riding (no!) which I generally oppose, has a definite role in parts of urban LA where it is by far the safest place to be for shorts stretches. (Sidewalk bicycling is actually legal in LA - although I don't recommend sticking to them unless you have to.) Even helmets (gasp!) might be optional, if you look at how few commuters wear helmets in heavily cycled parts of Europe where bikes are the main mode of transport in dense urban areas. (I still recommend 100% helmet use!)

Be cautious, be visible, and be predictable. You can figure out the rest according to your needs with experience and your route.

PS - Also agree with the "no confrontation" approach with cars. I'm sure there will be the rare d-bag who absolutely needs a verbal beatdown in public, but in general, you're not going to solve anything, and you're greatly increasing your chance of personal injury. A simple firmly stated request or even a disappointing head shake will suffice in most cases. I've been behind 2 commuters who got "buzzed" in rush hour traffic (likely unintentionally) who then rode up to the vehicle at a red light and physically harassed the woman inside, even banging on her window. That's totally unacceptable, childish behavior, and I was embarassed to be seen in the same 2-wheel community as them.

(No-no) Driving your car
(do) use witty insults on your co-workers when they comment on your mode of transportation

I just picked up some padded shorts and have heard this advice a few times. seems creepy/messy though. I rode 30 miles with underwear last weekend. and seemed just fine.

back to the original point of this thread, I would say that a big no-no I have learned is not to trade off a short route for a safe one. especially when you have a long-ish commute like mine (13-14 miles each way), it's tempting to find every shortcut you can. but it is worth taking 5 extra minutes if it means you can stay in a bike lane (or path) instead of fighting the traffic.

filter where it will be easy for cars to re-pass you. if passing ahead of the light will be tight, stay with traffic as you wait for the light...

I have a whole bunch of personal rules, but here's the biggest one:

Don't overtake or ride alongside of moving cars on their right.

Close second:

Use a Take-a-Look mirror.

I hate mirrors - I've tried a variety of them including the well regarded wire one that clips to your helmet/glasses. I simply don't trust them - if I need to know what's back there, gotta look back and see for sure.

I hated the handlebar mirror and the glasses mirror. then I got a helmet-mounted mirror and all is right with the world now.

Shh... Underwear Nazi is asleep... don't wake him up!

--J

If you spot a roadie don't hesitate to give chase, don't give up the chase even though your're about to rupture a blood vessel, and when you pass said roadie do not EVER breathe hard or show any outward sign whatsoever of the excruciating pain you're in.

Do post about your roadie conquests here in the commuting forum.

I have my Take a Look mirror mounted on my helmet.

Dont be a ...




and ride against the flow of traffic.

I wouldn't trust the bike mirror alone. I use the my bike mirror the same way I use my car side view mirror: Check the mirror, quick turn of the head to check the blind spot.

Take the above advice into consideration, but ride how you feel comfortable. As you gain experience your comfort level will increase.

Some ancillary notes with the theme of 'be respectful of fellow cyclists':

1. If you are going to blow a stop or red light, please be sure not to cut off another cyclist who has the right of way.
2. If you come up to some cyclists who are waiting at a red light, do not roll past them and put yourself at the front of the line unless you *know* that you'll be rolling faster than all of them once the light changes.
3. Do not pass a fellow cyclist on the right if the space there is even remotely tight.
4. Do not buzz a fellow cyclist when passing them, especially if they are starting up at a light change and you have a 10-20 yard rolling head start.

I may be off-base on some of these. If so, please let me know. But, they represent pet peeves of mine that I also consider dangerous.

Aaaand don't forget to enjoy your bike ride!

It's much better than being stuck in a smelly bus, even on the worst weather days.

I don't think you're off at all...all of these annoy me, especially #2. I had a guy this morning who insisted on trying to get ahead of me at each and every light despite the fact that I'd overtake him half way through the next block. He was on a bombed out department store POS with 26 inch wheels and I was on my Merlin Ti...of course he's not staying ahead of me, but he kept trying to stay in front of me...which included attempting to block me from passing. I finally had enough and pulled off for a different street.

More likely to make sure that they are perfectly underfoot.

Ride very slowly to work so you're absolutely certain you don't get there too early...

Leave work in very good time to ride home... just to be on the safe side