Cyclist0100

Where I live cars don't give bikes much consideration on the road. Granted, it's much better than it used to be, but still not "good".

I've found through experience (and through the advice of a local bike club) that riding about 3 ft. into the lane is safer than hugging the white line on the right side of the lane. The reason is two-fold... 1) cars will see you sooner and will slow down 2) they will give you more room and not try to squeeze past you.

The only time I've been hit is when I was riding far to the right. The car behind thought it could squeeze past me without crossing over the centerline and scraped my handlebar. Luckily, it was at slow speed and I was able to gently set the bike down rahter than crashing. Ever since that incident I've ridden 3ft. into the lane and have had no issues. This strategy definitely works for me.

gthomson

I got hit a few years back when a car thought I was probably riding at 5 km/hr and decided to make a left right in front of me ( I was doing 40 km/hr). I flipped over the hood of his car, flown onto the pavement and thankfully no car hit me. It was on a Friday of a long weekend in a business area and everyone was trying to finish work early. I suffered minor road rash on my shoulder and amazingly the bike was fine. The front end of his car was trashed! I stopped cycling near work or any where the traffic is heavy. For my longer road rides, I try and get out by 7am (or earlier) to avoid the traffic and if I am out during the day or busier times, I ride one of my other bikes and just take it easy.

Overall I think the drivers have become more aware of cyclists and do a really great job of allowing for space. Something to do with some local by-laws around here that punish drives hard for hitting cyclists or pedestrians, up to a $50 000 fine or jail time. The worries are the soccer mom/dad types who are always in a hurry and not paying attention.

BobbyG

I just wanted to say the tone of this thread is so much nicer than similar threads in A&S and the general forum. I think when most people get to 50+ years they are more thoughtful and considerate of others and how thoughts and actions affect others, as well as being more circumspect. This is also reflected in how older cyclists interact with traffic.

I, myself, can't tell if traffic on my daily commute routes is more aggressive or more polite than pre-covid levels. But I can say that over 28-years of commuting to the same place, and 20 from the same location, I can say that I have modified routes and where I use the sidewalk (vs. the roadway) based on changing traffic patterns, and changing bicycle infrastucture (lanes, paths, etc.)

GlennR

Over the years i've learned to avoid roads that go to the train station and parkways during rush hour. Lunch time is also when drivers seem to be in more of a rush.

I can control what I do and assume that drivers don't care. Just yesterday I stopped at a MUP and street crossing. The driver to my right stopped and the driver on my left just blew right through. Drivers seem to get annoyed when I wait to ensure that are stopping, but if they signaled like a tap on the horn or flash of the lights I might be less hesitant to wait.

Papa Tom

Yes! This is the way I ride all the time. Assume the driver is always going to make the worst possible move and be prepared for ANYTHING.

I also do a lot of traffic directing, communicating with drivers when we are stopped at a light, waving drivers on in spots where they may be unsure as to exactly how much space I need, etc. As much as it seems drivers are reckless or incapable of sharing the road safely, I think many are just unable to grasp the basic needs of a bicycle out on the road. I find that most of the people on my commute are respectful of my presence, more so when I make some kind of human contact with them.

spruce1

Agreed Papa Tom. I live in a rural area and often I'm alone out there. My main worry: there are some pickup (mostly) drivers who, for some reason, refuse to yield even though there's no other vehicle around, or they speed by aggressively. But I try to ride only on trafficked roads with a decent shoulder and quiet country roads.

vane171

My rides are partly on roads that have no paved shoulder, just white line and only some 4"-8" of asphalt beyond it, if that. After that it is gravel and grass and a grassy ditch maybe two feet deep. I train myself in straight riding by purposely staying on the white lane, which is some 2" wide (in Europe where I mostly ride bike). I can stay on it for quite a long stretches before I stray off it. Takes a disciplined riding which is opposite how most normal folks ride, weaving and riding two to three feet to left of that white lane.

But it goes without saying, riding on the road edge on white line, you can't relax at all, not even take a drink. It simulates disciplined riding in a pack, drafting someone's wheel.

Once I am on sections of my circuits where you can expect very few cars if any, I ride within a foot away from that white line, sometimes two feet but three is too much, you could get hit even by oncoming car on narrower roads if the driver drives in the middle of the road, like they do when there is no center marking and few cars around. Talking about small roads between villages, where cars can just about meet, you only get side marking white lines on those.

OldsCOOL

Through the years I have learned to do all I can to give motorists a chance to see me. Bright jersey, blinkie on seatbag, staying right of white line when possible and try to ride with sun at my back when it’s low on the horizon. In the very rare instance I ride with a friend, we always go single file. Around here you can start fist fights with motorists by riding two abreast.

But then, I have been bitten by the singletrack bug and love shredding our many trail systems so close to my doorstep. I only worry about smacking trees out there.

xrazer

I try to seek out roads with bike lanes but there are roads where cars, trucks buses especially all the large vehicles buzz you. Most drivers are good but on each ride there is always one or two passes too close to comfort. I try to be as safe as I can, rear light, yellow helmet etc and ride as a vehicle and there is not much more to do except not to ride which is not an option.
We are blessed with great weather here and I can see how crappy conditions take over your mental strength and fear creeps in. Stay safe.

Oldguyonoldbike

I find that the older I get, the better I am at imagining what it would feel like to hit the ground, a guardrail, a car, etc. I've had discussions with friends who insist that since cyclists have the right to occupy an entire lane, that they should do it. I disagree. Just because you have the right to do something does not make it a good idea. As the town where I live has spread its sprawl into the countryside, I have modified my routes. I ride as close to, or to the right of the white line, wait for cars when there is any doubt about the right of way, and try to pay attention to whether the sun is likely to be in drivers' eyes. Like OldsCOOL, I try to be as visible as possible. Most drivers around here are very courteous, but it only takes one texter...

Iride01 

It's worked well for me to take the lane. If you are on the edge of the road, then you have to consider that changes in contrast from the road surface to shoulder might make you less visible from a distance.

My come to jesus moment on this was about 10 years ago when a tiny narrow car pulling a big wide bass boat felt that it could squeeze between me and an on-coming car in the other lane. They missed me by slightly less than the now required three feet. The boat and trailer only missed me by inches. I'd swear I felt it rub my lower leg. Probably just the disturbed air from it. Still, way to close for me.

Since then, any time I'm on the open road and there is oncoming traffic in the other lane, I'm in the middle of my lane so cars behind me don't attempt to "squeeze by". I move over when there isn't any oncoming traffic.

Of course you do have to assess what your traffic conditions are and whos "turf" you are on. Many of the roads and minor state highways in our area have cyclists. Motorists expect them. At least most do. On the major state and federal highways, cyclists won't be expected. On the Interstates..... well you aren't allowed to be there except for a very few places in the US.

xrazer

Since it has been mentioned about taking the lane I want to add to my previous post that I do take the lane in places where it would be impossible for a normal size car to pass me safely. Those stretches of road are not common on my rides but they exist and they are typically a few hundred feet or less until the road widens up again. If I have cars behind me then I try to be courteous and ride as fast as I can so that I don't piss off anyone too bad. I really think that is a safety tool that we cyclists should use. Most new riders don't do this and I have seen some scary situations both when riding and when driving myself.

DDzBike

More and more often I am finding electric cars 'sneaking up' on me

Iride01 

Garmin Varia radar works very well to detect vehicles approaching from behind. My son is been using one for the last four or so years. Never used either mirror or Varia myself in my years of riding since a pre-teen. Between a mirror and a Varia, I'll get the Varia first.

People with mirrors have been a bane for me. When they see me behind them, the do silly things. Some with good intentions thinking they are helping me out. Others are more malevolent. I suppose they are thinking I'm about to jump their wheel or something.

Inusuit

I live in a rural area. My driveway connects to a state highway with a 65 mph speed limit. Most drivers are going faster. Yes, I'm skittish. Fortunately there is a wide smooth shoulder. I still get off that highway and on to secondary roads as soon as possible or truck the bike to paths.

Lemond1985

Glad you mentioned this. I have had the same thing happen a lot, they start spending all their time looking back and checking on me. So my goal, once I see the mirrors, is to plan on passing at the first safe opportunity. And since people with mirrors are generally not racers, it's quite often do-able.

Tomm Willians

Both of your statements are some of the best I’ve seen concerning the issue of safety. I’m certain I’ll get flamed for saying this but I see just as many cyclists doing stupid things on the road inviting disaster as I do cars being inconsiderate or downright dangerous.
We can’t go far enough thinking about our own safety, you won’t win a fight with a 4000lb vehicle so ride accordingly.

Carbonfiberboy 

On the malevolence thing - Think that might come from sentiments expressed frequently on BF, like hating on those who draft others? When there's absolutely no reasonable reason for said hating? The real bane for the overtaking cyclist is riders without mirrors using earbuds. They have no idea of what's going on around them and might go left and take you out at any moment. I like to see folks with mirrors who have an interest in what's going on around and behind them. They're at least trying to ride safely. I, and almost everyone I ride with, use a mirror. When I see someone behind me in my mirror, I'm especially careful of my line and speed, just as if I were pulling a paceline. One can't deal with everyone's stupidities, but one can address one's own.

myz34

I'm in a small town/city and the drivers here don't want to yield either. I just ride around on the side streets around my home. I went on a some of the main streets a couple of times and the clearance between the cars and myself was way too close for comfort.

10 Wheels

NY to LA.
Really enjoyed this:
Big Rigs moved over and the push was Fun