Bicycling - 7 Tips For City Traffic
1. Bicycling is a healthy exercise which needs a warming up time. Even a car needs to warm up, the body needs a little more of it. For protection it is necessary to wear a helmet. Outer circumstances can lead to a fall, but also tiredness or not seeing an obstacle. A good fitting helmet protects in both cases. For the same reason a bright outfit is indicated, colors in red, red and white, yellow, or bright green are best. This is especially important in clouded or rainy weather, where the wheels of cars splash all their dirt and water over you. Sunglasses protect the eyes not only against the sun but mainly against a fly or else which might hit the eye in a critical moment.
2. A strong chain with a lock keeps the bicycle safe, but only if it ties the front wheel and the frame to a solid post. If only the front wheel is tied, the frame can be gone. If only the frame is tied, the front wheel can be missing. Unless one changes the wing nuts to the old type of nuts. But even that is not foolproof, if one keeps the bike for 10 or more minutes locked up while in a store. A weak chain can be cut through with cutting pliers.
3. Traffic rules at a cross section are tricky. If a right turn lane exists, the cyclist who wants to go straight needs to swing to the left to come to the right side of the forward lane. This way cars can turn to the right while the cyclist waits for the lights to change. On green he goes on straight forward and mostly has crossed more than half of the section before the first car passes. If the cyclist uses the walkway, he or she must push the button for the pedestrian flashing light.
4. To avoid a ticket at a cross section, the cyclist has to maintain his position on the street or on the walkway. If he changes from the street position to the walkway position, even with the permission of a car intending to turn right, he gets a ticket for "Change of Lanes". It can cost $ 159.00, half the price of a new bike. Only to go before the judge can reduce this cost to about one third. Car drivers do not yet get tickets in the height of one half price of a new car. It clearly indicates that bicycles in city traffic are not desired.
5. Therefore it is especially important to be courteous. As a walkway user one should let the pedestrian know that it is his walkway by either stopping, or going far to the right and slowing down. As a street user one should know that a car driver cannot know the condition of your side of the street. It is important to look forward, if a hole or unevenness comes, the cyclist can swing slightly to the left only if no passing car is right behind him or her. It is anyhow wise to turn the head in all free moments to anticipate passing cars. In parking lots with stop signs, the cyclist should stop and be courteous as cars are.
6. A reckless driver can come closer than the required three feet. Mostly he is a speeder and can be recognized by the sound of his car when passing. If such a car drives towards you, it can be very dangerous. Cars with mud all over should be avoided as much as possible, one cannot know what kind of a chase is behind them. A drunk driver is not dangerous, his car slingers and is slow, and the driver is in a relaxed mood.
7. A bicycle loaded up on the back carriage and front basket is not a good idea for a ride. Best is to push such a bicycle. A not to heavy backpack allows to maneuver quickly and easily as with a hybrid bicycle which is the best choice for city traffic. To learn the safe roads and use them over and over as on internet, is the best way to commute safely as a cyclist.
2. A strong chain with a lock keeps the bicycle safe, but only if it ties the front wheel and the frame to a solid post. If only the front wheel is tied, the frame can be gone. If only the frame is tied, the front wheel can be missing. Unless one changes the wing nuts to the old type of nuts. But even that is not foolproof, if one keeps the bike for 10 or more minutes locked up while in a store. A weak chain can be cut through with cutting pliers.
3. Traffic rules at a cross section are tricky. If a right turn lane exists, the cyclist who wants to go straight needs to swing to the left to come to the right side of the forward lane. This way cars can turn to the right while the cyclist waits for the lights to change. On green he goes on straight forward and mostly has crossed more than half of the section before the first car passes. If the cyclist uses the walkway, he or she must push the button for the pedestrian flashing light.
4. To avoid a ticket at a cross section, the cyclist has to maintain his position on the street or on the walkway. If he changes from the street position to the walkway position, even with the permission of a car intending to turn right, he gets a ticket for "Change of Lanes". It can cost $ 159.00, half the price of a new bike. Only to go before the judge can reduce this cost to about one third. Car drivers do not yet get tickets in the height of one half price of a new car. It clearly indicates that bicycles in city traffic are not desired.
5. Therefore it is especially important to be courteous. As a walkway user one should let the pedestrian know that it is his walkway by either stopping, or going far to the right and slowing down. As a street user one should know that a car driver cannot know the condition of your side of the street. It is important to look forward, if a hole or unevenness comes, the cyclist can swing slightly to the left only if no passing car is right behind him or her. It is anyhow wise to turn the head in all free moments to anticipate passing cars. In parking lots with stop signs, the cyclist should stop and be courteous as cars are.
6. A reckless driver can come closer than the required three feet. Mostly he is a speeder and can be recognized by the sound of his car when passing. If such a car drives towards you, it can be very dangerous. Cars with mud all over should be avoided as much as possible, one cannot know what kind of a chase is behind them. A drunk driver is not dangerous, his car slingers and is slow, and the driver is in a relaxed mood.
7. A bicycle loaded up on the back carriage and front basket is not a good idea for a ride. Best is to push such a bicycle. A not to heavy backpack allows to maneuver quickly and easily as with a hybrid bicycle which is the best choice for city traffic. To learn the safe roads and use them over and over as on internet, is the best way to commute safely as a cyclist.
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