When you are bicycling on a busy road is it better to travel so that the cars are coming towards you or away?
~~Mad Dog~~ asked:
When you are bicycling on a busy road (designated 2 way traffic) is it better to cycle so that the cars are coming towards you or from behind you? Which way would be safer? Let’s assume that there is no sidewalk to go on.
When you are bicycling on a busy road (designated 2 way traffic) is it better to cycle so that the cars are coming towards you or from behind you? Which way would be safer? Let’s assume that there is no sidewalk to go on.
March 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Not only should you ride with traffic you should claim your lane! It is counter intuitive to ride on the road but if you are always as far to the right as possible, you are going to get more flats, have more trash and potholes to deal with, have no room to maneuver other than to move out into traffic and most importantly, you are less visible!
People look straight ahead and to the left in this country 95% of the time. If you are off to the right you also will not be a “threat” to the driver of the car and they won’t slow down as much.
By far the most accidents involving cyclists happen because of something in front of, not behind, the cyclist. Half of them are the cyclists fault!
Ride carefully and defensively, but claim your lane!
March 18th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
It is always better to cycle in the same direction as the traffic. This way you are like a car, only you are slower. This also gives cars time to see you beforehand while they are driving behind you. Keep to the far right of the lane because the cars will want to pass you eventually.
Good luck and happy cycling
March 19th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
ur part of traffic, so u have to go w/ traffic.
theres a law about it.
(so cars come from behind you)
March 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
You should be going with the traffic, not against it. This way drivers can see you as they approach instead of being surprised by you when you are approaching them.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:54 am
i know that when your walking (with no sidewalk) it’s best to not walk toward the cars. Maybe the same with biking. I’ve also heard that people are suppose to walk on the right side of the road and bike on the left, though i don’t think it matters.
March 27th, 2009 at 1:34 am
Most states laws on bike traffic see a bike as a vehicle, thus a cyclist must travel with the flow of traffic, obey all traffic signs and signal turns. Just make sure you wear bright clothing,all reflectors are present and clean, and pay attention and you’ll be okay. Sometimes I get a little paranoid when I hear traffic roaring up behind me, if it bugs you another step is to get a side view mirror deal to attach to your helmet so you don’t have to keep turning your head, but can still see what’s going on behind you. Good luck!
March 29th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Your bicycle is a vehicle. You should go with traffic.
You might feel safer being able to see traffic coming at you and having them see you (maybe). But unless you are riding on the gravel shoulder (which makes it all a moot point), you should still be riding with traffic.
March 31st, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Before 1962, the laws varied from state to state; 26 states said ride with traffic, 24 states said ride against traffic, like a pedestrian. In 1962 it was made “with traffic” in all 50 states.
There is some merit to the idea that you should go against traffic- that you can see the car coming. It works for pedestrians, but bicycles go a lot faster than pedestrians.
For about twenty dollars you can purchase a rear-view mirror for your bicycle, so you can see them coming even when you are riding with traffic.
Remember, it’s your job to watch where the car is going. Motorists will be highly offended if you even suggest that they should watch where their car is going. (I’m being a bit sarcastic here).
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I was almost hit buy an idiot riding his bike into on coming traffic! you are vehicle and must obey the traffic laws. if heavier traffic is too nerve racking for you, take an alternate route. it may mean more miles, but look at it this way, you got to spend more quality time with your bike!
April 4th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
When you ride against traffic:
1. You probably have no intention of getting off the road each time a car approaches you, the way a pedestrian would be expected to act.
2. All the regulatory signs are facing away from you so you can’t read them.
3. Closing speeds with cars are additive instead of subtractive. That means if you are going 15 mph and the car is going 30 mph, your closing speed is 15 mph when riding with traffic and 45 mph when riding against traffic.
4. A car cannot simply slow down behind you and wait for a safe spot to pass.
5. Cars entering from side roads will not be looking for a bicycle coming from the ‘wrong’ direction and are more likely to pull in front of/into you.
April 5th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
ALWAYS go WITH the flow of traffic ! And NEVER on the sidewalk unless you’re 8 years old ! In CA, we must follow the same laws as a car / motorcycle.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Its not a matter of better. You’re considered a vehicle and MUST obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles.
Ride on the right, stop at stop signs and red lights, signal your turns, etc.
April 7th, 2009 at 4:12 am
You ask which is safer. By far, less people are hit from behind. I know it doesn’t seem right but the stats prove it. Drivers have more time to see you (unless they are drunk).