Riding Tips: Road Positioning in the City
Apr 22nd, 2009 by Leo
Good riding on a track means taking the shortest, fastest line around a corner. But good riding on the street means taking the line that gives you the best view of what is coming up, while increasing your visibility. Also, on a track you can set your speed based on the amount of traction you have, but riding safely on the street means setting your speed based on visibility.
So for example on this road… If you can ride south on this road safely at 50mph, how fast can you safely ride north? Most people on the road assume it would be the same, 50mph. But the difference is when you’re going north you see less of the interesecting road, and cars from the intersecting roads can’t see you until a bit later. If you can go south safely at 50, you’ll probably need to slow down to 40 or 35 when going north. It’s all about how much you can see.
It’s the same when coming to a bend in the road, if the road bends left, you stay to the right while approaching the turn – so that you can see more of the turn and oncoming traffic.
So here’s the tip: Don’t be afraid to move around within your lane. It’ll help discourage the cars around you from wandering into your lane. Position yourself for visibility (so that you can see, and so that others can see you). New York drivers regularly run stop signs (especially when the traffic is light and bikers are most likely to up their speed), as well as cross double yellow lines in bends; they also do things like signal right and then make a quick left (u-turn) or vice versa… But you don’t have to be at the mercy of bad drivers, you can position yourself in the lane so that they see you, and you see them. The weather’s going to be great, ride safe!
Related posts:
