If I had a reflective sticker for every time someone asked me, “But… aren’t you scared?” during my ongoing attempt to cycle around the world, I could turn my bicycle into a disco ball. Just to see what they say, I like to reply, “Scared of what?”
“Of floods,” in South America.
“Of lions!” in Africa.
“Of the desert,” in Central Asia
“Of being alone?” in China.
“Of bad people!” in the U.S.
And yes, when I first set out, I was so afraid of strangers that I barely slept for the first month. However, most touring cyclists will agree that, in reality, the real danger is not lions, tigers, or mafia members, oh my. No, after traveling around the world for over four years, it’s the two-ton motor vehicles piloted by phone-obsessed drivers that I fear the most.
While Adventure Cycling helps lobby for safer routes and roads, us cyclists have to do what we can to keep ourselves safe while riding in traffic, too. Being aware, being visible, and being predictable in our movements all help to ensure we ride another day.
Ultimately, riding in traffic is about taking the space you need, while remaining alert and quick to respond to any danger. Follow local traffic laws — the League of American Bicyclists has a great database of state bike laws — and use lights. But being a true traffic traveling savant goes a little deeper than just that. Here are my do’s and don’t’s, each vetted in traffic from around the world.
Do Learn The “Language”
Each country and region has its own driving etiquette — or lack thereof. In some places, like Spain, for example, there is a well-enforced law requiring a full meter between cars and cyclists. Therefore, small Renaults slow down, turn on their flashers, and check oncoming traffic before passing fully in the other lane. Sometimes the drivers even wave as if we are distant cousins. Que Bueno.
South African drivers, on the other hand, passed us just inches from our shoulders like they were auditioning for the Fast and Furious franchise. They were unfazed. We were not. As I write this, I am in Chengdu, China’s fourth-largest city, with a population of 21 million. Honking is constant. Constant. A honk means nothing, or anything, or everything. Yesterday, I watched 100 scooters politely slow down to let one four-foot tall grandma cross the road. Moments later, a car came within inches of hitting me. I screamed like a banshee. The driver looked mildly surprised — eyebrows up, wireless headphones in — like “Oh! Hello. What are you doing there?”
It is up to you to adjust your riding style and your risk tolerance to the local style. Expect the unexpected, and never put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation by trying to be “safe.”
Don’t Be unpredictable
On highways, I see many cyclists ride just to the left of the white line demarcating the shoulder, then shift to the right at the last moment before each vehicle passes. This method gets the driver to pass in a wider arc, and gives the cyclist the most space possible. It also allows cyclists to stay clear of shoulder debris — broken glass, shards of metal, and truck tire casings.
This works. But it’s also risky. I don’t recommend it if: you’re riding with kids, you don’t have a mirror, you’re in a group, or if you’re the type who gets distracted by cows, vending machines, or interesting clouds.
Predictability is key to safely navigating traffic, so if you can’t check your map or bike computer without weaving left and right, pull over. The sidewalk is your friend, just don’t block it during your huddle break.
Do Use A Mirror
Embarrassingly, I only recently acquired one. It was difficult to find a version that worked with my handlebars, but I also (incorrectly) thought it looked uncool. Electric vehicles and scooters are harder to hear as they approach, and as these vehicles become more common, a mirror is a necessity more than an accessory.
Don’t Rely Solely on a Mirror
Listen to your surroundings, which are dynamic and change quickly. Leave headphones off — or at least one ear open — to stay alert to everything.
Be Prepared
Look at your route overview before leaving. Knowing what to expect makes for a smoother ride. Agreeing on terms and hand signals with your group before you set out also helps. That way you don’t accidentally tell your partner you’re turning left when you’re really about to stop for a photo. Riding in a predictable manner helps cars know when you are turning, and thus avoid you.
Do Ride with Your Hands on the Brakes
This will help you react to any sudden changes quickly. Again — Expect the unexpected.
Do Observe the Traffic Patterns
Especially before tossing yourself into a busy intersection. Years ago, a seven-way intersection in Mexico was terrifying to me. Then, I saw how all the cogs of vehicles and people worked together. When seen in a positive light, traffic isn’t chaos — it’s cooperation.
Do Ride in a Single File if You’re in a Group
Especially on narrow roads or around blind corners.
Don’t Go Dark
Instead, wear neon, with reflector stripes. A road crew in Uzbekistan gave me my neon vest, so now it doubles as a souvenir. And it’s not just your clothing. Brightly-colored panniers and raincovers help with visibility, too, and the latter also protect your bags from dust and general wear and tear. Pro tip: You can sit on them when you stop for a picnic lunch.
Do Use Your Lights
And not just at night. Make sure they’re charged and use them when it’s overcast, foggy, dusk/dark, or raining, too. Don’t be stingy: Let Your Light Shine. You can also get festive and add all sorts of lights to your bike, especially during winter’s long nights. Be a rolling ball of tinsel. Here are some reviews of bike lights.
Do Get a Flashing Light
If they are legal where you plan to ride. A Clemson University study found that flashing rear lights help drivers see cyclists three times earlier than static lights — up to 270 feet (82 meters) sooner on straight roads. This study also suggests that drivers judge distance to bikes more accurately with flashing rear lights, but research is still mixed.
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