Ride Better Tips 

TRAFFIC PRINCIPLES 

• Ride on the Right - Always ride with the flow of traffic

• Do not ride on the sidewalk 

• Allow yourself room to maneuver around hazards

• Yield to traffic in busier lanes

• Ensure the lane is clear and free of oncoming vehicles before you move into it

• Always use signals to indicate your intentions to move position 

• Looking behind you is a way to indicate to other road users your intention to change your position on the roadway. It will also allow you to determine when you can safely navigate your move in relation to other road users.

• Yield to traffic in destination lane - Traffic in your destination lane has the right-of-way

• Making eye contact with drivers lets them know that you see them

• Signal and make your lane change early, before you need to

• Directional Positioning - Position yourself in the right-most lane that goes in the direction of your destination

• Ride in the right third of the lane

• Avoid being overtaken in narrow-lane situations by riding in the middle of the lane

• Speed Positioning - Position yourself relative to the speed of other traffic. Left-most lane is for fastest moving traffic, right-most for slower traffic. Yield to faster moving vehicles by staying to the right in the lane 

WHERE TO RIDE 

• Laws
• All 50 states say that people on bikes are to ride "as far to the right as practicable" 
• No clear definition of practicable has been identified 
• Positioning for turns
• Before a turn: scan, signal and move into the lane that leads to your destination 
• Ride in the right third or middle of the lane, as lane width dictates
• To cross multiple lanes, move one at a time, scanning and signaling each move 
• Turn lanes
• If your lane turns into a right-turn only lane (and you’re not turning), change lanes before the intersection
• Changing lanes too late could result in an overtaking motorist turning in front of you
• Maintain a constant position relative to the curb or shoulder during a turn 
• Beware of blind spots
• Most drivers do not always expect to see people on bikes in the roadway
• Do not ride directly next to another vehicle unless you are passing or slowing down.
• If you can't see bus, truck or car mirrors, the drivers can't see you 
• Signaling
• Signal well before the intersection; make sure you are in proper lane position
• Left arm out and down with palm to the rear to indicate stopping
• Left or right arm straight out to indicate left or right turn 
• Scanning
• Allows you to avoid dangerous situations before they happen
• Let’s you see what is going on around you
• Communicates with other drivers that you are about to maneuver to another position