Road Smart

The most basic concept to keep in mind when learning how to ride a bicycle safely in traffic is that your bicycle is a vehicle.

The rules for riding a bicycle in traffic are the same as for driving any other vehicle. Here are five essential concepts that will help you bicycle more safely:

1. Ride on the right side of the road, always in the same direction as other traffic. Riding against traffic is unpredictable, especially to drivers at intersections, driveways, or to those exiting parking spaces.

2. Ride as far to the right as practicable, not as far right as possible. Practicable means safe and reasonable. The faster you are traveling, the farther left in the lane you need to be. The narrower the lane, the farther left you need to be. Wisconsin law requires a motorist passing a bicyclist to give at least three feet of clearance when passing. Stay far enough away (at least three feet) from the edge of the road, to avoid hazards such as sand, broken glass, and potholes that tend to accumulate there. Also, ride at least three feet from parked cars to avoid a suddenly opened car door.

3. Turns are made the same way on a bicycle as they are when driving a car. To change your lane position, or your position within a lane, first look behind you to see if there is any other traffic nearby. Traffic in the lane you want to move into has the right of way. Signal and change lanes/position within a lane when there is a safe opening in traffic.

4. Obey all traffic signs and signals. These apply to bicyclists as well as motorists. Be especially alert for yield and stop signs, traffic signals, and one-way streets. Obeying traffic signs and signals is your first defense against crashes, and is the best way to gain respect from other road users.

5. Ride defensively. Be aware of what is going on around you, both in terms of roadway conditions as well as other traffic. At night, use a white headlight and a red rear reflector or a red flashing light. During the day, wear bright colors to help others see you.

Defensive Riding

1.) a motorist coming towards you who turns left in front of you

2.) a motorist passing you and then turning right in front of you

3.) a motorist pulling out from a stop sign, driveway, or parking space without yielding to you. Make eye contact if possible so that you know the motorist has seen you.