There is little in life that compares to a ride along a quiet country road. This surely is the altar of our sport, where all the greatest qualities of cycling are brought into relief by the simple act of propelling yourself along by your own power. Despite being social creatures, the experience is heightened by solitude; when no one else is witness this glorious act, we are allowed to slip further into the simplicity of the act. Our arms reaching out to the bars, the rhythm as our legs spin the pedals, the feel of the machine as it glides along effortlessly, the feeling of power as we stand to accelerate over a hill, the wind in our face, knowing it’s generated by our own speed. There is only the road, the machine, and ourselves.
Alas, for most of us, this experience is reserved for special rides when circumstance finds us within reach of such a place. Indeed, many of us spend the majority of our time riding the busy roads found in our urban lifestyles, not deserted country lanes. This reality has us facing a choice between not riding or riding amongst traffic that threatens a significant negative impact on our well-being should something go sideways – like, for example, your bicycle.
While it is inherently more dangerous than riding on quiet roads, the risk of urban riding can be managed somewhat through vigilance and discipline. We must constantly be aware of our surroundings and understand not only the risks traffic poses to us, but also the unpredictability we ourselves bring to a driver who doesn’t understand the way a cyclist thinks, and what we might do next. The bicycle and the traffic together form two parts of a dangerous equation where we control few of the variables and stand to lose a great deal should something go wrong. In light of this, we should focus on maximizing the elements we can control, and marginalize those we can’t.
Ride predictably. When out training in town, consider yourself to be riding in the bunch, except the other riders are cars that can kill you. Just like riding in a group, when in traffic, hold your line, signal when there’s a hazard or when turning, and generally ride as predictably possible.
Ride on the sunny side of the street. If there is a shoulder, ride in it, but if not, stay as far to the side as you safely are able to. Don’t ride so far to the side that it means you might hit something that might cause you to move erratically; there’s nothing safe about suddenly flying out into traffic because you hit something at the side of the road.
Only ride through puddles you can see the bottom of. Water tends to accumulate along the side of the road, and has a nasty habit of being smooth on the surface regardless of what the bottom looks like. If you can’t see the bottom of the puddle, it’s safer to ride around it than it is to ride through it and risk getting launched by a hidden pothole.
Ride aggressively defensive. If there’s a narrow section of road coming up where it will be dangerous for a car to pass, signal to the cars behind and swing out into the middle of the lane until it’s safe for them to pass.
It’s helpful to be able to accelerate quickly to move with traffic if necessary. In the event that you’re riding in a lane in order to discourage cars from passing, it’s good to move at the same speed as the traffic in order to piss them off slightly less and reduce the chance that they go all gansta on your ass and hit or shoot you out of spite.
Be gracious. If a car does the right thing, wave at them in thanks. If you know you are holding them up because you’re obstructing their path, move the side as soon as it’s safe and gesture your appreciation of their patience.
Don’t escalate. You will invariably be placed into a dangerous situation by a driver who is either ignorant of the danger they caused you or is simply an ass. In both of these cases, screaming obscenities at them will only serve to put them on the defensive and make them hate cyclists even more than they already do. If you absolutely must say something, do your best to let them know why what they did was dangerous; if you’re polite and assertive, the message is much more likely to find it’s way home.
Details matter; pay attention to the cars around you. Take note of the subtle signals the drivers are sending you. Are they overly fond of the brake pedal? Are they speeding? Are they swerving, texting, or otherwise distracted? Or do they drive predictably and use their turn signals properly? These things will tell you a lot about how safe you’ll be when they’re close to you.
Avoid overly dangerous routes. Ride on the roads you need to in order to train properly, but also avoid unnecessarily dangerous areas or only ride them when traffic is at it’s lightest. Roads with good shoulders are preferable and, counter-intuitively, bike paths are not always safer places to ride; these are often filled with people of a variety of skill levels who may not be paying attention.
Lastly, cycling is easier to enjoy if you’re alive and in one piece; always ride to proactively avoid placing yourself in risky situations when possible and have a plan if you find yourself needing to take a risk.
Some fantastic riding can be had on urban roads. Always be careful to understand your risks; be agressive when safety requires it, and defensive when it doesn’t.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
frank
The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking.
As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it.
Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen.
Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.
Great article. I'm consistently amazed at the differences in car-bicycle relational dynamics depending on which part of town I'm riding in. I commute 32km roundtrip, and the commute takes me from a suburb to a part of the city in which many young, hip families live, artistic community, hippies, local, organic farm sort of diners, etc.
From my suburb to the other neighborhood is like two different worlds. The suburb drivers act like they're from an alternate universe in which this odd 2-wheeled self-powered contraption hasn't even been conceived of, let alone driven around.
Halfway through the commute, I cross some magical fairy barrier, and the cars all-the-sudden leave space, are calm and patient, and seem to instinctively know how to drive around cyclists. It's a complete one-eighty every time I cross that line--a pleasant one-eighty in one direction, and a rude awakening in the other.
Great article. I'm consistently amazed at the differences in car-bicycle relational dynamics depending on which part of town I'm riding in. I commute 32km roundtrip, and the commute takes me from a suburb to a part of the city in which many young, hip families live, artistic community, hippies, local, organic farm sort of diners, etc.
From my suburb to the other neighborhood is like two different worlds. The suburb drivers act like they're from an alternate universe in which this odd 2-wheeled self-powered contraption hasn't even been conceived of, let alone driven around.
Halfway through the commute, I cross some magical fairy barrier, and the cars all-the-sudden leave space, are calm and patient, and seem to instinctively know how to drive around cyclists. It's a complete one-eighty every time I cross that line-a pleasant one-eighty in one direction, and a rude awakening in the other.
This is true of Melbourne, Australia, too. So well expressed.
@all
a fine list of cycling must do's. #8 or scanning as I like to call it is something I always do whilst on the bike. Be constantly aware of everything around you, using as many senses as you can, (though touching and licking cars, pedestrians etc can freak some people/animals out!) not just your eyes, but ears and even smell can work to save your arse at times.
Which is one of my primary beefs I have with hybrid/electric cars like the Prius; they'll drive up to you without making a noise. You your hearing, but again, don't rely on it entirely.
My other beef with the Prius is that apparently they came with two brake pedals and no gas...Merckx people drive like pussies in those things.
Ride on the sunny side of the street. If there is a shoulder, ride in it, but if not, stay as far to the side as you safely are able to.
I couldn't disagree more thoroughly. As a long-time urban commuter, the safest place is dead center of the lane. If there's only one lane, I'll get over for cars to pass, but on any road with two or more, the lane is mine.
Riding over to the side only encourages cars to buzz you, so they can avoid having to merge in the lane next to them. Riding in the middle forces cars to get into the adjacent lane anyway, so they, on average, give you way more room. When cars are buzzing you, the greater risk is that the next hasn't noticed you because of the only slight swerve the car in front did. Plus, riding in the middle of the lane gives you maximum maneuverability to avoid potholes and debris.
@Dan O
Scary story, Dan. Glad you're safe. Impressive that she did the right thing and came back. It's the ones that are genuinely sorry that stand a chance to get better. The unappologetic assholes shut the door and will stay the same. It's true not just in commuting but life in general.
Anyway, if you keep your wits and watch your ass, riding in urban areas is pretty safe and can actually be fun. Much better then not riding at all, or waiting for "nice days in nice areas".
Absolutely. Between my urban routes, I've got about 120km of great riding, with good long climbs that total something like 2km vertical. It would be a shame to forgo that because of the traffic.
@frank
#14. None of the above apply when you are competing in the Commuter World Championships where only one rule applies. WIN!
+1. So funny, I have a long commute (when I go to the office, which is not often) of 90km round trip; Along the way there is always some guy on a mountain bike just hammering up a hill to beat me to the next light. Funny as shit.
@Stephen Touset
I actually agree, which is what #4 is. But to take the lane when conditions don't require it will only serve to make traffic hate us more. Use judgement stay safe.
Velominaiti hav etwo choices.
1) Ride in the country where freedom lives. No moving between lanes, no dodging cars, no TRAFFIC LIGHTS, NO PEDESTRIANS CROSSINGS.
2) RIDE IN THE CITY AS IF IT IS THE LAST DAY OF THE ...... No cars allowed . so ride like no cars exist. no pedestrians crossing the road, so ride like no pedestrians exist. No rules on which lane you ride in , so these rules do not exist.
Via freedom, via le velominati!!!!
I love your attitude and enthusiasm. If you live somewhere where you can do that, good on ya. But reality for many of us dictates otherwise, and getting in a car to go ride often defeats the purpose.
I tend to find that the friendly wave when the driver has done something right is worth a 100 times more than the ranting and raving when they do something wrong. A wave costs next to nothing, but can make a persons day.
A-Merckx to this! I do this all the time. I figure maybe they will hate all of us a little bit less next time if we give them some positive feedback.
A timely post Frank as I am about to leave rural KY/TN for the heart of San Antonio in about a month's time. (Not exactly loving the idea, but you have to love the Army lifestyle! :)
Prius Pussies. Yes, most are. I get a real kick though out of aggressive green car drivers who also have a "Coexist" or "Change Can Happen" or "Namaste" bumper sticker. "I am highly conscious of my world and my place in it and how I can spread peace and love, but I still fucking hate Lycra Fags slowing me down. Fuckers. Don't they know I have organic bulgar wheat to buy before the farmers market closes!"
Can't help but shake my head and smile at those cagers.
To add to #6: thank pedestrians that wait for you and smile at small children who are in awe of you bicycling prowess because it will make their day and encourage future riders.
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Great article. I'm consistently amazed at the differences in car-bicycle relational dynamics depending on which part of town I'm riding in. I commute 32km roundtrip, and the commute takes me from a suburb to a part of the city in which many young, hip families live, artistic community, hippies, local, organic farm sort of diners, etc.
From my suburb to the other neighborhood is like two different worlds. The suburb drivers act like they're from an alternate universe in which this odd 2-wheeled self-powered contraption hasn't even been conceived of, let alone driven around.
Halfway through the commute, I cross some magical fairy barrier, and the cars all-the-sudden leave space, are calm and patient, and seem to instinctively know how to drive around cyclists. It's a complete one-eighty every time I cross that line--a pleasant one-eighty in one direction, and a rude awakening in the other.
@earnest
This is true of Melbourne, Australia, too. So well expressed.
@il ciclista medio
Which is one of my primary beefs I have with hybrid/electric cars like the Prius; they'll drive up to you without making a noise. You your hearing, but again, don't rely on it entirely.
My other beef with the Prius is that apparently they came with two brake pedals and no gas...Merckx people drive like pussies in those things.
I couldn't disagree more thoroughly. As a long-time urban commuter, the safest place is dead center of the lane. If there's only one lane, I'll get over for cars to pass, but on any road with two or more, the lane is mine.
Riding over to the side only encourages cars to buzz you, so they can avoid having to merge in the lane next to them. Riding in the middle forces cars to get into the adjacent lane anyway, so they, on average, give you way more room. When cars are buzzing you, the greater risk is that the next hasn't noticed you because of the only slight swerve the car in front did. Plus, riding in the middle of the lane gives you maximum maneuverability to avoid potholes and debris.
@Dan O
Scary story, Dan. Glad you're safe. Impressive that she did the right thing and came back. It's the ones that are genuinely sorry that stand a chance to get better. The unappologetic assholes shut the door and will stay the same. It's true not just in commuting but life in general.
Absolutely. Between my urban routes, I've got about 120km of great riding, with good long climbs that total something like 2km vertical. It would be a shame to forgo that because of the traffic.
@Marcus
+1. So funny, I have a long commute (when I go to the office, which is not often) of 90km round trip; Along the way there is always some guy on a mountain bike just hammering up a hill to beat me to the next light. Funny as shit.
@Stephen Touset
I actually agree, which is what #4 is. But to take the lane when conditions don't require it will only serve to make traffic hate us more. Use judgement stay safe.
@aleco
I love your attitude and enthusiasm. If you live somewhere where you can do that, good on ya. But reality for many of us dictates otherwise, and getting in a car to go ride often defeats the purpose.
@Xponti
A-Merckx to this! I do this all the time. I figure maybe they will hate all of us a little bit less next time if we give them some positive feedback.
A timely post Frank as I am about to leave rural KY/TN for the heart of San Antonio in about a month's time. (Not exactly loving the idea, but you have to love the Army lifestyle! :)
Prius Pussies. Yes, most are. I get a real kick though out of aggressive green car drivers who also have a "Coexist" or "Change Can Happen" or "Namaste" bumper sticker. "I am highly conscious of my world and my place in it and how I can spread peace and love, but I still fucking hate Lycra Fags slowing me down. Fuckers. Don't they know I have organic bulgar wheat to buy before the farmers market closes!"
Can't help but shake my head and smile at those cagers.
To add to #6: thank pedestrians that wait for you and smile at small children who are in awe of you bicycling prowess because it will make their day and encourage future riders.