Do motorists not look before they back out?

[Grog]

I have also learned (by near accident) that when traffic is moving more slowly than I would like to ride, it is unfortunately safer to pull in line with traffic and roll along at 9 miles an hour than it is to speed along the right shoulder, moving up the line. Cars will NOT be looking for you in that situation and may just turn right into you, sans signal. This somewhat reduces the speed advantage that cycling can have in urban situations, but I'll take safety over speed if I have to choose, I guess.

A girlfriend of mine was doored while passing on the right in the way you describe. It hurt when I had to tell her that technically the passenger who opened the door was not at fault (my friend was not in a bike lane).

I also am sometimes slower on the bike route than other cyclists who will go around cars in dubious ways (jumping on the sidewalk or passing on the right when it's definitely not safe). Most of the time I catch up with them at the next intersection anyway.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

don't ride in the 'door zone'. Better to take the lane if the door zone is the only alternative.

don't pass lines of slower cars on their right when there is no bike lane there. Passing on the right will eventually get you hit by a car.

don't be on the right side of the lane in an intersection if you are planning to go straight or make a left turn.

don't stop next to cars or trucks waiting at a stop light. Wait your turn behind one of them, in the middle of your lane, along with the other vehicles.

do make broad hand signals to all the drivers around you to let them know what your plan is in all decisive traffic situations.

do assume that car drivers simply do not see you.

do be aware that most drivers are not expecting bikers in pedestrian crosswalks. Huge numbers of bikers are hit by cars while attempting to bike across crosswalks. Get off and walk your bike across crosswalks, or at least be alert and ready for danger there.