#biking etiquette

[dc-bikerage]

So how's that whole 'running every red light' thing working out for ya there? Have you gotten away from me yet?

[dc-bikerage]

Can you at least imagine that you know what the stop sign is there for?

[dc-bikerage]

Sooooo we don't know what a red light is. Aaaaaaaand we don't know how to say 'on your left'. We are just acing this 'idiot' thing.

[dc-bikerage]

Now I’m real curious, was it after the fourth time or the fifth time that I passed you that you decided that you absolutely had to be in front of me? Like, after the fourth time I passed your slow-moving ass, you saw me at the next red light and you said yourself, oh yeah, I absolutely got to be in front of this guy.

[spinlister-blog]

Cycling Safety: Biking Etiquette Explained

Proper biking etiquette ensures that all vehicles on public roads are safe and sound. It doesn’t matter if you are two wheels or not, cyclists have the same responsibilities and rights as car drivers. To ensure everyone’s safety, make sure you abide by your state and local laws. Here are some general guidelines you should follow to make sure that everyone is safe.

Be Well Equipped

Any responsible cyclist will ensure that they have the necessary equipment and that it works well. For example, bikes should be in excellent working condition. Make sure to check that your brakes and tires are in proper condition. If you can’t do this yourself, go ahead and get your local bike shop to help you. Other equipment that is equally necessary is lights (front and back), pedal reflectors, a helmet and reflective clothing. Extra points if you can coordinate it into matching outfits. Not only will you be a safe cyclist, buy a stylish one too.

Be Safe (and Predictable)

Part of biking etiquette is compiling with all rules and regulations. You’re a smart cyclist right? Of course you are. You can figure out that you should ride on the right side of the road (whatever that is in your country) and being respectful to whoever has the right of way. And yes, that means stopping at stop signs, and waiting until cars driving straight down roads pass you before turning left. In any case, keep in mind (always!) that it’s always more difficult to see a cyclist than a car, so always make sure that you ride steady and deliberate on the road.

Be Alert

Drivers on the road need to be alert at all times, so why shouldn’t you? Imagine if a driver runs a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign. It’s just as dangerous if a cyclist does the exact same things. You could also argue that cyclists have to be even more alert because drivers may not notice bikes as well, particularly if you are in their blind spot.  As long as you’re not going at crazy speeds, you should be able to watch your surroundings better in case of any mishaps. You also need to be aware of the weather just as much as cars do. After all, wet roads are just as bad for cars as it is for bikes.

Be Nice

The very words ‘biking etiquette’ should give you a pretty good clue that you need to be nice on the road. Sure, cyclists are more mobile than others driving with four wheels, but that doesn’t give you permission to be a jerk. Swerving in and out of traffic, cutting off cars, and not using turn signals is just not cool. Not being nice also can cause traffic accidents. This means that you and numerous others could potentially get hurt.

No matter what, always remember that you need to be safe and alert on the road. Cycling can be a great way to get in some exercise, as well as an efficient mode of transportation. Don’t ruin it by being careless on the road.

If you are not confident about whether or not you are well prepared to follow proper biking etiquette, The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a great resource to check out. They’ve got information and access to resources in your local area.

Rent a bike today or list bike for rent. 

Image credit: http commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyclists_on_Queen.jpg