Whether you commute to work, or just ride aimlessly around
, taking your bike onto city streets means putting yourself in danger. To help out, here are a list of rules you should follow.
1) Always assume drivers do not see you, and thus are about to run you off the road.
2) Follow traffic laws as if you were in a vehicle. Don’t be a cliche “I own the road and therefore the rules don’t apply to me” cyclist.
3) Always shave your legs before wearing spandex. As bad as spandex is, hairy spandex is worse. Go here for more on leg shaving.
4) Always wear eye protection (See rule 5). A pollen laden bumblebee hitting your eyeball at a combined speed of 40mph is a day killer.
5) Wear intimidating sunglasses. If people are scared of you, they are more likely to give you the right of way.
Have a rule you feel should be added to this list? Let me know.
* Picture courtesy of Bicyclesonly on Flickr
Ride on the sidewalk, fool! It’s much easier for a biker to avoid a pedestrian than for a car to avoid a biker. If there’s a sidewalk available and it’s not overrun by pedestrians, use it!
@ Ben: Not only is that illegal, it’s just plain mean.
Josh: nice post. i agree with everything, especially number 1, to which i’d just add: wear bright clothing, don’t ride on wet roads, at night, wearing black, without lights. also, parked cars and open doors will sideswipe and knock down a bike, every time. ride defensively, be alert, etc.
also: wear a helmet, really. it’s worth an extra minute to save your life. wear protective gear!
Always spit down wind, nothing worse then launching a big fat one into ones own face. If there is a biker behind you, better him then you, just make sure you can peddle faster then he can.
Never wear anything that can’t survive a soaking without becoming heavy – i.e no cotton.
Also, if you don’t have toe clips or pedal straps then make sure you wear some shoes with decent tread to grip the pedal.
Check your brake pads over month.