In order to save money (and the environment), many people have started riding their bikes to work, which is great. But for experienced cyclists like me—I’ve commuted by bike for many years in treacherous San Francisco and have been a bike messenger—it can sometimes be scary to have so many people on the road who have no idea what they’re doing. Learning (and following) some basic safety rules will help ensure a safe commute to work for everyone.
Ride on the Right
It’s just like driving. You don’t hang out in the passing lane on the highway (unless you’re a jerk), so don’t do it while biking. Stay to the right, but give yourself enough room so you can still maneuver or swerve without getting hit. Don’t ride right next to parked cars, as a door can suddenly open and send you through the air like a javelin. (This is called a “door prize” or being “doored,” and man oh man, it’s painful.)
Pass on the Left
Always, always pass people on the left. There’s nothing more annoying (or dangerous) than someone who passes on the right. If you come barreling down the road and try to pass someone on the right who’s about to turn right, there’s going to be a nasty collision. If someone is going too slow in the left “lane,” then slow down until you can pass that person on the left.
This includes cars. If there’s a line of cars waiting to turn right, keep to the left of them as you pass. Trust me on this one; once I was stupid enough to try to pass a car on the right when he was turning right—guess who won that battle? The blood, bruises, and costly damage to my bike weren’t worth it.
Stop at Red Lights and Stop Signs
Cyclists are subject to the laws that vehicles are subject to, which includes stopping at red lights and stop signs. Where I live, cyclists run red lights all the time. Every time I’m waiting at a light, at least five cyclists fly by me. But this is not only illegal—it’s dangerous. Ignoring the laws only contributes to the tension between motorists and cyclists. Plus, lights are there for a reason—a heavy intersection for instance. You can be ticketed for breaking this law, and even worse, many cyclists have been killed by running lights.
When stopped at a light, always stop as far forward as possible without actually being in the intersection, so that the first car knows you’re there. If he wants to turn right, he knows that you have to go first, and it’s just safer for you to be as visible as possible.
Wear a Helmet
Here in San Francisco, helmets are not cool and over half the riders I see don’t wear them. This is very troublesome to me, even though I hate helmets too. I hate having to mess up my hair by putting on a helmet, but despite the agony I go through messing it up every day, I still wear one. It will never hurt you and it will definitely help you. Most cyclists who are killed are not wearing helmets—it may be a coincidence, but I doubt it. You have nothing to protect you from the asphalt—don’t risk your life just to look cool.
