Bicycles - Riding in Traffic

Traffic can be unpredictable, so if you plan to ride your bike in it, you must be alert at all times. It takes times before you can ride on the freeway with confidence, but it is worth it. Bicycles save gas and help the environment, so if you own a bike, you should consider riding it in the city.

Alertness is important if you want to ride your bike in traffic because you need to know where you are on the freeway at all times. You never want to wake up in the morning and then go biking on the freeway, especially if you are a little tired or kind of sleepy. Tired people's alertness levels are low and sounds such as horns and people's voices seem distant. You should get a drink of coffee before you get on your bike in the morning to increase your awareness. If you stay out late and only get a few hours' sleep, you should not ride your bike that morning; use your car instead.

Biking in traffic also requires common sense because most of the things you see on the freeway can be avoided. For example, if you see a car that is speeding and passing other cars in your rear view bike mirror, you should get out of the way. If the car is choosing different random lanes to pass the other cars, when it reaches you, you might get hit. Using your common sense will come in handy many times during your ride in traffic, so always make smart decisions.

Aggression helps in tough spots, so you have to use it if you want a good spot in busy traffic. There will be times when you are in a lane and need to get into another one, but the cars will not give you the space. You have to be aggressive if you want to get into the spot you need so that you do not miss your exit on the freeway. It will not be easy, but once you learn how to stand your ground, you will be able to get the spot you want in traffic.

You must always make yourself be seen in traffic, because if you do not, cars will not know your place on the freeway. Here is a great example, suppose you're riding your bike in front of a dump truck; these trucks are huge and drivers cannot see around them. If a car decides to pass this truck to get directly it front of it, it will not be able to see you because you are riding a bike. A bike is thin and the driver will not be able to see you until he or she gets ready to turn in front of the truck. To avoid this, never ride your bike near a vehicle that makes you unseen; this makes things easier for yourself and other drivers.

Never take risks no matter what other drivers may do to you while you are the freeway. Some drivers may honk their horn at you and you cannot avoid this, but you must not let them make you do something risky. They can honk their horn all they want; it is all bark and no bite so just wave your hand and let them go by.

City biking is not easy, but if you stay alert, use your common sense, be aggressive, be seen and avoid risks, you will be safe riding your bike on the freeway.