Learning to Share the Road

Tips for Bicycling Around Cars and Driving Around Bicyclists

from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance

http://www.bta4bikes.org

Driving Around Bicyclists

1.When there is bike lane, check it. When turning right across a bike lane, always look behind you for a bicyclist; bikes can travel fast enough to catch up with you even if you passed them more than a block ago; if someone is approaching, wait and yield rather than trying to “beat” them; think of the bike lane like a train track – never sit and idle on it, don’t start across until you know you can clear it.

2.Always signal – If you don’t signal your turns, both right and left, bicyclists can’t anticipate them and can’t make an effort to stay out of your blind spot; if talking on a cell phone is preventing you from using your turn signal or looking behind you, stop talking on your cell and drive.

3.Pass with ample room – You can cross the center line to pass a bicyclist safely, as long as oncoming traffic is clear; passing closely, especially over 25 mph, is very scary for the cyclist.  At more than 35 mph, Oregon law dictates a driver must pass a cyclist at sufficient distance to prevent contact with the bicyclist were they to fall in the driver’s lane of traffic.

4.Don’t follow closely – This can be intimidating, particularly to new bicyclists; the bicyclist probably would prefer to be out of your way as soon as possible but needs to be in the lane for some reason, or is going the same speed as traffic.

5.Allow bicyclists to use crosswalks – They are permitted to do so, and in some places bicyclists rely on them for safe crossings.

6.Look when opening your door – especially when you are parked next to a bike lane, but also on any street; many bicyclists ride close to parked cars to leave room for drivers to pass on their left, and this means you could hit them with your door if you don’t look first.

7.Be cautious in residential neighborhoods – Most bicyclists like to use quiet streets to get around, so if you are sloppy or impatient at stop signs you risk hitting someone on a silent or vulnerable vehicle. Also, slow down and stop before you get to the stop sign, not as you roll by it, children biking on the sidewalk may cross in front of you.

8.Use good manners – Eye contact and waves are very humanizing, especially in the stress of rush-hour traffic. Apologize if you make a mistake – it will go a long way.

Bicycling Around Cars

1.Be visible – This is #1 safety issue among bicyclists – use front and back lights, and wear light colored or reflective rain gear; invisible bicyclists risk their lives, and scare and infuriate even the most empathetic of car drivers.

2.Learn to look over your left shoulder – This helps with merging to turn left, to pass another cyclist or to avoid a car door; Looking over you left shoulder allows you to safely change lanes and helps with making eye contact with passing motorists.

3.Signal – for lane changes or turns, or stopping suddenly; motorists often are very nervous driving around bicyclists because they don’t know what to expect; make your intentions clear, and they’ll generally give you more space and time to do what you need to do; you aren’t required to signal, however, if conditions require you to have both hands on your handlebars for safety.

4.Take the lane when necessary – Sometimes if a lane is so narrow that passing is dangerous, you may need to take the lane briefly to make that clear to drivers behind you; move over as soon as you can safely and let people stuck behind you pass.  If you’re going the speed of traffic, as often happens downtown or on downhills, feel free to take the lane – it is safer and more comfortable.

5.Stay out of the “door zone” – Ride far enough away from parked cars that if someone opens a door without looking, you don’t have to swerve suddenly.

6.Use extra caution if passing on the right – Avoid it when there isn’t much room, when people are turning into driveways, or when traveling through an intersection; remember, especially when there is no bike lane, drivers do not know to look for you there. Be extra aware of staying clear of the blind spots of large vehicles.

7.Use good manners – If you make a mistake, give the “my bad” wave; if someone does something nice for you, give a wave of “thanks”; never steal the right-of-way, and give pedestrians plenty of space.

The BTA is a non-profit bicycle advocacy and education organization working in Oregon and SW Washington.