Automopedia’s Guide To Sharing The Road
We at Automopedia love sharing the road with our fellow bicyclists. Yes, you read that correctly. Unlike other motor-heads who loath the sight of a bike on their street, we embrace our two-wheeled pedal brethren…mostly because many of us are avid cyclists.
It was disheartening, yet not surprising, when a recent study showed “nine out of 10 accidents involving cyclists and cars in Australia are the fault of the motorist,” according to The Australian.
New York City, which recently opened 200 miles of bike lanes, has seen an increase in bicycle related accidents / incidents in only a few short months. Taxi and police cars using bike lanes to get around traffic, pedestrians turning bike paths into walkways, cyclists riding the wrong way down a one-way road or on the sidewalk. Here’s some best practices to follow when biking in a great metropolis like Manhattan, Philadelphia or any other bike-friendly city.
1) Share The Road
A slogan in many cycle loving cities, sharing the road takes no time at all, and shows that car and rider can get along. All a cyclist really needs is a foot or two of space on the right side, but if you can give them more please do! Don’t squeeze a bike between you and a parked car, it could end disastrously.
2) Ride the RIGHT way on a ONE way street
As cycling becomes a growing commuter’s choice, even the riders must learn a few new tricks. Most importantly; if you’re traveling down a one way street, much like a car, head in that direction. It’s not fun playing chicken with other cyclists, let alone a one-ton pickup truck.
3) Do not ride in and out of traffic
You see it everyday; an impatient bicyclist weaving in and out of slow moving traffic. If you were in a car you wouldn’t like this, why should it be any different on a bike?
4) Don’t cut off a bicyclist
(Pic via TreeHugger)
Don’t worry drivers, you’re not off the hook yet. Take a moment and put something into perspective: you’re in an automobile, surrounded by metal and fiberglass, with brakes that can bring you from 55 mph to 0 in a few seconds. They’re open to the elements, with only a set of $25 brake grips and, unless they’re a hipster, a helmet that barely covers their entire head. If you cut off a bike they might go slamming into your car, or into another, flying off and causing serious physical damage, maybe even death. Take a breath, relax, and don’t cut off anyone on a bike.
5) Riders: Stay off the sidewalk – Walkers: Stay off the bike path
Part of the reason cities are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on bike lanes is so people will stop riding on sidewalks. Dozens of injuries are reported each month involving a collision between pedestrians and cyclists. In that same aspect, many are turning NYC bike lanes into their own personal walkways. We’re all guilty, maybe some do it without even knowing. Be mindful and walk / ride where you’re supposed to.
6) Be safe
Be mindful and courteous out there – whether you are on foot, bike or in car. It only takes an inch, and there’s plenty of room for all of us. Get home safe!
Mar 9th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
[...] rules (Don’t ride against other cyclists, stop riding on the sidewalks, and read our post on sharing the road!) all city residents should be able to travel without incident: on foot, two wheels or [...]