Routing question - what would you do?

[Juliegoddess]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

[ny biker]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

Yes. Ride with traffic.

[MommyBird]

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...29es0SEMv0CdlA

You may want to drive your routes, both ways, on several days of the week, and at various times of day to check the traffic patterns. Then Practice on the bike you are most comfortable with before you try the new bike.

Cross roads and driveways are areas that require special attention. Watch for approaching vehicles, not just the ones at the intersection. Always make eye contact with the driver to insure that they know you are there. It is always best to exchange a wave or nod with the driver. We even do this on our country roads when we pass a driver getting ready to pull out. We never assume that we have been seen.

I have Blackburn Fleas on my bike. Front and back. I keep them in the flashing mode. They are extremely bright LEDs that charge by USB.
http://www.blackburndesign.com/lights.html

I am blessed to live on a country road but I have toured around a lot of cities sightseeing and I know it can be intimidating.

[OakLeaf]

Since Catrin's a relatively new rider, I just want to reiterate.

MommyBird, I know you've posted several times with the advice to "make eye contact," but you should never rely on this.

It doesn't hurt to do it - if only because it means devoting the attention required to size up the situation and gain cues as to what they might be about to do from their body language and head and eye movements - but as I said before, I can't tell you how many times someone has looked me square in the eye and then pulled right out in front of me, on both the bici and the moto. Most experienced motorcyclists will tell you the same thing. Honestly, I so rarely see this trope posted on bicycling sites that I think it's already been discarded by most bicyclists.

[crazycanuck]

A cycling friend of ours learnt that eye contact w a driver DOES not mean anything.

He was on his way home & came to a roundabout:looked at the driver & she acknowledged him. What happened next is something I don't wish on anyone-She hit him, then panicked and hit the gas pedal. This then threw him into a ditch & he ended up with a leg broken in 3 places, broken arm, etc. He's back riding but can't run. Total bummer for someone that did adventure races & 1/2 im's.

Don't assume..!!!!

[nscrbug]

Im' so glad this was posted, thanks Catrin! I have a similar problem. In Monroe, where I live, we have the occasional bike lane here and there. This is NOT a bike-friendly town, and i hate it. But anyway...what do you do when there is only one lane on ONE side of the road? Do you ride in it ONLY in the direction following traffic, and on the way back, ride on the other side of the road, where there is no bike lane?

Yes, ABSOLUTELY ride with traffic at all times. I ride many roads in my area, that are only 1 lane in each direction with no bike lane and very little (if any) shoulder. We just stay as far right as reasonably possible and let car traffic pass us. We don't have much choice in my area...it's either ride these roads or be forced to ride on the MUP...which is actually more dangerous with all the walkers, runners, dogs, kids, etc.

[ny biker]

Yes, ABSOLUTELY ride with traffic at all times. I ride many roads in my area, that are only 1 lane in each direction with no bike lane and very little (if any) shoulder. We just stay as far right as reasonably possible and let car traffic pass us. We don't have much choice in my area...it's either ride these roads or be forced to ride on the MUP...which is actually more dangerous with all the walkers, runners, dogs, kids, etc.

Do not stay too far to the right if the lane is not wide enough for a motor vehicle to pass you with several feet of clearance. If the lane is not wide enough, take the lane. Make them cross the yellow line in order to pass you.

I've learned this the hard way -- hug the right side of the road and you get side mirrors within inches of you because drivers think they can pass while staying to the right of the yellow line. Move a foot or two to the left and cars partially cross the yellow line and give you enough room to pass safely.

See page 15 of this document:

http://www.bikearlington.com/tasks/s..._Bicycling.pdf

[nscrbug]

Do not stay too far to the right if the lane is not wide enough for a motor vehicle to pass you with several feet of clearance. If the lane is not wide enough, take the lane. Make them cross the yellow line in order to pass you.

I've learned this the hard way -- hug the right side of the road and you get side mirrors within inches of you because drivers think they can pass while staying to the right of the yellow line. Move a foot or two to the left and cars partially cross the yellow line and give you enough room to pass safely.

See page 15 of this document:

http://www.bikearlington.com/tasks/s..._Bicycling.pdf

Yes, exactly...hence why I said "as far to the right as reasonably possible". I never, ever hug the edge of the roads I ride...simply because many of them have anywhere from a slight to a moderate drop-off at the edge and I could easily wind up in a ditch. I always choose to force a car to wait until it's clear to pass me. My apologies for not clarifying that in my post.

[OakLeaf]

I don't know why this wasn't tweeted until the end of the day yesterday...

http://www.bikeleague.org/blog/2010/...nd-ray-lahood/

but you might still have a great opportunity to point out to officials the lack of safe routes in your part of town.

Also, if the bike lanes on 34th and 10th aren't actually usable, or don't actually exist, it would be good to report that to Google. I'm doing my best to contribute to the Google bike routes in my area.