What Bicycling Rules do you follow that Experience has taught you?
 

What Bicycling Rules do you follow that Experience has taught you? Maybe I can learn.
I have three of my own.:

• When running parallel to traffic, never rely on a Mirror to try to cross the road (or highway) with a quick darting swoop , even if you are sure your Mirror says you are safe. Come to dead stop, turn your bike 90 degrees and get eyes on the Traffic.
• In case the unthinkable happens, I hang an ID card with Emergency Information right on my handlebar and another on my Jacket. I don't even carry a wallet. That way, should I do the opposite of winning the Lottery, no one has to rifle through your layers of clothes to find out your Medical Information.
• Never go down a steep hill in a Bike Lane facing oncoming Traffic, should you get caught in that circumstance. The oncoming traffic may unnerve you as you start your high speed run (unless you are Tom Cruise) and if its a tiny skinny bike lane you may even lose control.
• Bring sneakers with you if you are using cleated bike shoes. Because I've walked or run some 17 miles this year when I didn't have the right tool or part.

Cross "train tracks" as perpendicular as possible....especially when wet. Man-hole covers and painted lines can take you down too when wet .....

Never assume they see you, if you don't see their eyes you don't know for sure.

Ride 3' from parked cars since most people never look back before opening the door.

Right turn after stop doesn't mean much to most drivers.

Stop signs are just a suggestion for most drivers.

If an unleashed dog jumps in front of you, aim for the owner

Runners on a MUP will make a 180 without looking over their shoulder.

Even though you may be on the main road, assume that every car on a side road with a stop sign is NOT going to stop. You'll probably be right over 50& of the time.

Just because the last 6 sewer grates were oriented 90 degrees to your direction of travel, don't assume that the 7th will be.

More like 90%.

I hate tinted windows and tinting the front door windows is illegal in New York, but some how they these cars pass the yearly mandated safety inspection.

Never ride close to the line on the side of the road. It "encourages" vehicles behind you to attempt to squeeze by without going into the opposing lane to pass.

Ride far enough away that a car passing you will be forced to go into the opposing lane of traffic. Hopefully, it will encourage the driver to make a safer pass - safer for you & safer for them.

Here in California tinting front windows is forbidden but lots of people have them so dark you can't tell if anyone is in the car if you're standing right next to it. When I was working I didn't like driving those cars, it made me feel disconnected, or something, like I was in a video game.

We don't have vehicle inspections but an officer can issue a "fix it" ticket.

I don't subscribe to this and only "take the lane" under extreme conditions.

+1 (Haven't tried the dog owner one yet.)

Mine: The right hand edge of the road is not my friend. I try to spend as little time there as possible. (Typically the most debris and glass, worst pavement, most camber, wettest. Also offers you the least both warning and maneuvering space for dogs and other animals, kids and balls. Cars are not looking for you, especially those ahead in driveways and sidestreets. In fact, nobody is looking for me there.

Lots of good advice here. I always ensure my helmet, gloves, shoes are now face covering is color coordinated

I never ride in the door zone, no matter where they paint the bike lane line.

90% of the vehicles you encounter on side roads don’t stop at stop signs?

Sarcasm? Wait till you have to carry your bike 8 miles someday.
Anyway if you make a bike or outfit configuration change..to be color coordinated..don't jump on the bike and head for a 30 mile ride. Got a new helmet. Damn, it hurt 10 miles out , felt like it was crushing my skull.
Change your seat position and I guarantee your seat will sink to the lowest point possible 15 miles out.
And I gaurentee absolutely that anyone in a 90's V8 beater truck will always pass you with it's right tires in the Bike Lane.See one in the mirror, head for cover.

There are conspiracies on the car and amulets from the evil eye, accidents and breakdowns on the road.
Such things are present on almost every car, regardless of the faith of the motorist.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...846d1f3a4a.jpg
It is not clear why cyclists ignore these rules and feel safe at the same time.
This is very reckless.
I have a mascot on every bike.
They make me feel better.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8479310b50.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d197b4c1d.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a0b61477d8.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c11c9980b1.jpg

no sarcasm with this post. I can’t say that for some of my others however.

I Ride to be Safe Not to be Legal.

You go where you look. First learned in my MSF Instructor days.

Never ride into a setting or rising sun low on the horizon

Cars can't see you, the one time I've been hit (luckily just a truck mirror broken off by my hip) I was riding into a blinding sunset

Winter is worse with a low sun angle. I have both front and rear lights that I use during the day to be visible.

I always run front & rear lights for all riding, but I wouldn't rely on them in this hi-glare situation.

Dinotte's have worked in High Glare for me.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e349d710a1.jpg

Riding farther left also gives you and drivers better sight lines, enabling both to "see" each other sooner at crossings and in other situations. And of course being in the lane means you are more relevant than something that is not in the drivers path.

1. Assume you are invisible.
2. Have a ditch plan at all times.
3. Never think you are safe.

I only rely on myself.