picture via sir cam
This article complements a good understanding of clear signalling and careful, deliberate indications of what you are about to do and when. Communicating to other road users your intentions is essential for safety and smooth, uneventful journeys. A few notable points are included here, but it should be said that many more situations will arise than are mentioned here; by applying these simple principles, however, you will be a safer and happier cyclist.
Parked cars and buses
Parked cars present a number of issues. As a vehicular road user, you have the right to continue forward in your lane without signalling to pull out around a parked car. You are simply following the effective edge of the road. Unfortunately, many motorists consider a bicycle to be travelling in an invisible lane, separate from their own. For this reason, it is advisable to check your shoulder and sometimes to signal before pulling out around a parked car. In some instances, a motorist may question your right to do so, but a gentle reminder that they should perhaps not have been overtaking at that point may bring the whole scenario into focus.
Secondly, parked cars are never so merely parked cars as their name would suggest. A car that has just been parked, or is about to cease being parked, is a hazard that the cyclist would do well to appreciate. If at all possible, make a note of any cars which have just pulled up; chances are, the driver will soon be exiting the vehicle through the road-side door – even a fairly observant person could miss seeing a bicycle approaching from behind. For this reason, always leave a significant gap between your bicycle and a parked car. You can take about a metre without causing annoyance to other road users, and, when combined with your reactions times, this gives you manoeuvring distance enough to avoid most car doors.
A car that is just about to pull away from a parking space will not always give an indication of its intentions, especially if the road is unfrequented by motor vehicles. Remember to check for exhaust fumes from the car, and beware a car that is slowly rolling forward. A bicycle bell may come in handy, but it may not be heard. The only advice is to be circumspect; ride defensively and don’t take chances.
Buses are in a similar vein to the car that is about to pull away, but a bus driver may be less likely to see a cyclist due to the distances involved between the front and back ends of a bus. A good general rule is only ever to overtake a stationary bus if its left-hand indicator is flashing.
Lane discipline and pulling out
Further to any considerations you might already have had concerning signalling and manoeuvres, good lane discipline makes for clarity and understanding between road users. Turning right from a left-hand lane (where there are two lanes on your side of the road) can cause surprise and confusion in other road users. Pulling into the middle of your lane, or a nice early lane-change into the right-hand lane can help. Don’t be afraid to travel in a position that is not beside the kerb; after all, you have the right to use the road in the same way as a car. Bear in mind, however, that you will cause frustration if you cannot keep your speed – if you can happily maintain 15mph then you will be fine.
Complex junctions (including roundabouts)
Where there are multiple lanes to choose from, if at all possible use the correct lane for your manoeuvre. Even if motorists consider that you are in some way ‘holding up the traffic’, this is preferable to an unexpected right turn from a left-hand lane or suchlike.
If the roads are very busy, or if you are travelling uphill to a junction, it may not be possible to get the right timing or to gather enough speed to merge with traffic travelling in the outer lanes. If this is the case, it is often much safer to pull over, dismount, and cross with the pedestrians at the junction.
Distance from kerb, place-holding in queues etc.
This section is all about presence. A bicycle ridden with confidence of position demands respect from other road users. To this end, always maintain a position between 60cm and 1m from the kerb; often this means just to the outside of any road markings. Doing so will avoid the road-edge potholes and drains, and requires a motorist to think sensibly about overtaking before making a move to pass.
Queues occurring at junctions must be approached with care, as they often move on sporadically and unpredictably. The subject of queuing, especially for traffic lights, would be another article, but suffice it to say that by far the safest method is to pull into the middle of the lane behind the car in front of you, and to stay there until setting off again. It is an uncomfortable feeling to have a car pull up right beside you, especially if you are intending to turn right shortly. You may feel conspicuous using this method, but if safety is paramount, then it’s the most sensible way to go.
I suppose the final general point is to remember that motorists expect a bicycle to maintain a position close to the left-hand kerb, and generally to turn left or go straight ahead at any given junction. Advance warning to these motorists will raise their awareness of the fact that a bicycle can and will make any manoeuvre that a car can. Don’t expect them to catch on straight away – give signals in good time, and well before making any movement into the path of a vehicle approaching from behind.
Happy Cycling :)