From the March 2010 issue of The Driver magazine;
https://thedrivermagazine.com/vol8_pg58_news.html
Do you remember when you first learned to ride a bike? I was so thrilled that I could get rid of my training wheels and ride my bike like my friends could. It gave me that early feeling of mobility. As a driving instructor, it made perfect sense for me to have taught each of my kids how to ride their bikes and they’ve felt the same way I did when I was their age. Once you’ve learned how to ride a bike, you have to learn how to blend into traffic in a safe manner. Drivers also need to blend smoothly with cyclists. How well do you drive with cyclists near you?
The first thing to remember as a driver is to keep your eyes moving from side to side to help spot cyclists that may enter your traffic flow. That, combined with looking well ahead, will help you see the cyclists sooner to give you time to adjust. As drivers, we must remember that most cyclists will be riding their bicycles at a speed much slower than our speed. We have to recognize this fact early and adjust speed early enough so we can avoid sharing the same lane as cyclists.
Look for cyclists that may be coming out of driveways, from between parked vehicles or scooting across crosswalks when they shouldn’t. Being prepared for them is a very proactive way to drive; but we must also know what to do when we come across a cyclist.
A cyclist may move around a sewer grate at any time, so as a driver, we must give a cyclist as much room as possible when passing them. When doing a lane change around a cyclist, change lanes early enough that the drivers behind have time to see the cyclist so they can change lanes early as well. A sudden lane change may jeopardize the safety of a cyclist.
If you have to move around a cyclist on a two-lane road, move across the center line when it’s safe to do so. Make sure there is no oncoming traffic and that your visibility is good. After you’ve passed the cyclist, drift back into your lane when the cyclist is visible in your mirrors. This ensures they are far enough behind you to remain safe. Earlier this summer while I was out with my family, I came across an oncoming driver who had drifted across the center line to avoid a cyclist. The only problem was that I was directly in the path of this oncoming van. I had to use the shoulder to avoid the head on collision. This oncoming driver used poor judgment to pass the cyclist, but luckily I saw them in time to respond. Let’s hope that more drivers use better judgment when passing cyclists.
There have been times in the past when I had the chance to ride my bike to my office when I knew I was in my office all day. The 45 minute bike ride was quite a challenge. Drivers coming from behind me didn’t give me much room. It was a good thing I had a mirror on my bike that allowed me to see what was approaching me from behind. I remember a few times that I had to escape up a driveway ramp or parking lot ramp to avoid a close call with a driver.
Experiencing that has allowed me to improve my driving instruction to allow cyclists more space. I have a better understanding of what cyclists need in order to ride their bikes safely along public roads. Maybe that’s what all drivers need; to ride their bikes in traffic from time to time. I think it would help appreciate how difficult it can be at times.
Making right turns can also be a problem for both drivers and cyclists. The next time you’re moving slowing before turning or are stopped in traffic before turning and are approaching the intersection; check your blind spot to the right before starting the turn. The cyclist may have snuck between your vehicle and the curb. Anticipating that the cyclist may be approaching is always a good thing, so constantly checking your side mirror is a good thing.
Since our communities have added many bicycle lanes, be sure you check your mirrors and blind spots before entering them; especially when driving slowly enough for cyclists to be there. You are allowed to enter the last portion of the cyclist lane before turning. Like any lane change, you’ll need to check for other vehicles. Having good short term memory is important since you’ll have to remember if you’ve just passed a cyclist before entering the bicycle lane.
Cyclist can also have a difficult time when they are driving through residential areas. If you need to park your vehicle on the street, open the door with your right hand. It allows you to glance in your side mirror and blind spot before the door opens. This will help you see if any cyclists are coming up the side of your vehicle.
I hope these tips will make some sense to you as a driver; and also as a cyclist. We need to share the roads with all road users, so let’s do it safely.
Posted in Driving in traffic, Proactive driving, collision free driving, cooperative driving, driver responsibility, driving articles, driving near cyclists, responsible driving, risk taking, safe driving
Continue reading “Can you share the road with cyclists? A safe driver’s perspective”
"New" AAA press release an improvement, but not a correction
AREA MOTORISTS URGED TO SHARE THE ROAD DURING NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR
MAY IS NATIONAL BIKE MONTH AND AREA MOTORISTS
ARE REMINDED TO SAFELY SHARE THE ROADS WITH BICYCLISTS
Motor Club Promotes Careful Commuting Whether Your Ride Has Two Wheels or Four
WASHINGTON, D. C. (Wednesday, May 5, 2010) – The warmer weather in the month of May is luring more cyclists onto busy roadways and into local bike lanes and bike trails. AAA Mid-Atlantic is encouraging all motorists to respectfully share the road with cyclists.
Statistics from NHTSA show that approximately 716 cyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in traffic crashes during 2008. Pedacyclist deaths accounted for two percent of all traffic fatalities, and made up two percent of all of the people injured in traffic crashes for the year. To prevent these incidents, AAA Mid-Atlantic urges motorists to exercise exceptional caution when approaching bicyclists with whom they share the road.
“The number of cyclists is growing in the national capital area, and each day more than seven thousand persons commute to work in the District, that’s 2.3 percent of local workers, which is twice the national average,” John B. Townsend II, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public & Government Affairs. “Therefore, it behooves roadway users to remember that cyclists are granted the same rights and are expected to obey the same laws as motorists.”
The number of area cyclists is expected to increase in the District and the metro region. In 2006 the Transportation Planning Board approved plans to build 247 miles of new bike lanes in the Washington metro area and to add 482 miles of multi-use paths to the region by 2030.
In recognition of National Bike Month, AAA Mid-Atlantic reminds both motorists and cyclists to be vigilant about sharing the road, and to exercise caution year round. “Approximately 2700 pedestrians and bicyclists are injured every year in the Washington region, and eighty-nine are killed,” according to studies conducted by Street Smart, “an annual public education, awareness and behavioral change campaign in the Washington.”
“ Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities accounted for 23% of the total traffic fatalities in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia from 2004-2008.”
“AAA Mid-Atlantic appreciates the continued efforts of stakeholders and transportation officials towards making roads safer for motorists and cyclists alike,” said Townsend. To equip area motorists to share the road cautiously and courteously with cyclists, AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following tips:
- Allow three feet of passing space between your car and the cyclist. Tailgating or honking can startle or fluster a bicyclist, causing them to swerve further into the driving lane.
- Be patient. Remember, cyclists are moving under their own power and can’t be expected to go the same speed as cars.
- Pay special attention to blind spots. Due to their size and the location of bike lanes, bikes can often get lost in a car’s blind spot, so double check before changing lanes, making right-hand turns or before opening your car door on the traffic side when parked.
- Be attentive on side streets and neighborhoods. Children are especially at risk in residential areas. Follow the speed limit, avoid driver distraction and always be aware of your surroundings. It is particularly important to be cautious when backing out of a driveway and onto the street.
- Use good common sense. For example, in inclement weather, give cyclists extra room.
Whether teaching the value of choosing the right bicycle, using safety equipment, bicycle maintenance or the rules of the road, AAA will continue to be a go-to source for bike safety needs.
AAA Mid-Atlantic advocates on behalf of its nearly four million members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It provides a wide range of personal insurance, travel, financial and automotive services through its 50-plus retail branches, regional operations centers, and the Internet. For more information, please visit our web site at www.AAA.com ###
[B’ Spokes: And an excerpt from AAA mid-Atlantic Bike Safety page:]
Sharing the Road – How We All Can Make a Difference
Each year, there are more than a half-million collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles in the United States. Many of these incidents are the result of motorist, failing to properly yield to bicyclists. The following safety tips can make a difference:
- Motorists need to increase their awareness of bicyclists when making turns and remember to look for bicyclists when traveling in a straight line.
- Check for bicyclists along the edge of the traffic lane before opening car doors so you do not cause a collision when exiting your vehicle.
- Bicyclists also should use bike paths and always watch for turning and parked motor vehicles.
- Bicyclists should be encouraged to clearly communicate their intentions to motorists by using proper turn signals.
- Wearing helmets, visible clothing and using bike paths when available are key factors to ensuring a safe, pleasurable biking adventure.
Continue reading “"New" AAA press release an improvement, but not a correction”
Baltimore County Pedestrian Safety Campaign Launches
Towson, Md. (May 11, 2010) – The County Police Department held a press conference on Monday, May 10, at the Liberty Crossing Shopping Center. Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Police Chief Jim Johnson announced a stepped up initiative aimed at reducing the number of pedestrian related traffic crashes and fatalities in Baltimore County. The pedestrian safety campaign will focus on three key areas: Education, Enforcement and Engineering.
While crime is down, the County has experienced a slight increase in pedestrian related traffic crashes and fatalities over the past three years. The County recognizes that traffic crashes and fatalities are key public safety and quality of life issues that have far reaching affects. Executive Jim Smith said, "This is about keeping the streets of our communities safe for all our citizens." Police Chief Jim Johnson said, "Our ultimate goal is to educate citizens and save lives."
…
**************************************************************************************************
[B’ Spokes: Now don’t get me wrong this is a great start but the order of the list just seems wrong and missing items.
Suggestions for Pedestrian-Friendly Driving, my suggestions:
* Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk – it’s the law.
* Drive the speed limit and sorry but driving 10mph above the speed limit is illegal and is harmful for pedestrians and cyclists.
Their list does not mention speeding and their wording for stopping for a person in a crosswalk is Byzantine, IMHO
Suggestions for Safe Pedestrian Crossing, this suggestion cracks me up:
* Always cross a street or road at a crosswalk or traffic light that has a crosswalk.
That’s a good one from a county that takes pride in their lack of sidewalks, crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
Suggestions for Safe Bicycling
* Ride in designated bicycle lanes.
Right, like what all 5 miles of bike lanes if that many, get real, cyclists not riding in bike lanes when present cannot be a problem in Baltimore County. And cyclists be prepared to be hassled because you’re not "riding in the bike lane" when there is not one in 10 miles in any direction.
It seems to me Baltimore County has tons of work to do on the engineering side, and might I suggest some (zebra) stripes in the crosswalks as it is now motorists think to outside crosswalk line is a stop bar and block the crosswalk.
On the enforcement side I hope they give out warning tickets for the first month with near the same number going to motorists and pedestrians. It’s safer to cross mid-block (j-walk) if motorist will not stop for you in crosswalks and if motorist are accustomed to not yielding to frequent j-walkers then they have a hard time recognizing the need to yield to a someone in a crosswalk. All sides of the problem need to curtail what they are doing if we want to return to a civilized society that does not treat human being as road kill.
Continue reading “Baltimore County Pedestrian Safety Campaign Launches”
"BICYCLE" (Queen) performed @ Brussels train station
Cool performance, check out the video: https://www.deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/mediatheek/redactietips/redactietips_2eNiveau/1.777944
Riding the Freedom Trail in Maryland
From Do Not Trash the Brand
I hate my car. Two catalytic converters just blew. Cost to replace: $1700.00
The only thing that I like about my car is the radio. As a transportation vehicle it stinks. When I was a kid, I loved the power, the ability to ride 200 miles in a day without blinking, or sleeping in the back seat when I couldn’t afford a motel.
Those days are gone. My car is a ball and chain sitting in traffic on the inner loop of 695 at 3:00 pm in the afternoon sun. My first used car cost me $800. Today I can’t buy one for less than $5000. If my income had gone up by the same amount, I won’t be so depressed. I’d be rich. Not a slave to mosuburbia.
Things are not getting better. My disenchantment with the car is a nationwide plague and drivers are taking it out on bicycle drivers. Patriotic cowboys of the road. American’s last symbol of independence and freedom. You can still buy a nice used bike for $75 and my Schwinn is still going after 25 years.
Many people consider buffalo and wolves a thing of the past. Who cares if they disappear off the face of earth? Fortunately, bikers are a tougher and more adaptive species, they will live on, and long after my rotten car is sitting in a heap of another overflowing junk pile on Rt. 40, two wheelers will be riding the freedom road to paradise.
Continue reading “Riding the Freedom Trail in Maryland”
Finalists of MIT Clean Energy Prize to Compete for Grand Prize
Five teams chosen to vie for $200,000 awarded by NSTAR and U.S. DOE
BOSTON, May 04, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — On May 11, five teams from some of the nation’s top academic institutions will compete to win the $200,000 MIT Clean Energy Prize — a national annual competition for the best clean energy business venture.
The five finalists — representing Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University, MIT, Harvard and University of Maryland — were selected from two dozen semifinalists by an esteemed panel of business, academic and government leaders that converged in Boston yesterday for NSTAR’s Clean Energy Forum.
…
Continue reading “Finalists of MIT Clean Energy Prize to Compete for Grand Prize”
Tour de Farms – June 12
“Tour de Farms”
Family Bike Ride – 100% net proceeds go to benefit the “New Farmer Trainee Program”
Training beginning farmers through workshops, hands-on training, farm tours, and peer support.
Presented by North County Preservation (NCP) and local sponsors
Take a bike tour of the beautiful farming country of the north county. Ride by, or stop at, local farms and vineyards. Afterwards, enjoy snacks and bluegrass music and visit with friends and strangers.
Date: June 12 Location: NCR Trail at Paper Mill Rd Rain or shine!
8:00 AM Registration
8:45 AM Start – Experienced riders – 45-mile loop on local roads
8:45 AM Start – Recreational riders – 25 miles on NCP Trail and local roads
9:00 AM Start – Family Riders – 10-mile ride on NCP trail
$25 for adult riders,
$10 for children 10-14 with participating adult, under 10 free
Refreshments & Snacks, Games & assorted prizes.
Snacks may be purchased by non-riders.
Raffle Tickets on Sale for drawing on 6/24/10. Prizes:
- 1-year membership to “Pulse”
- 1-year CSA membership from Calvert’s Gift
- Wine tasting for 6 at Serpent Ridge Wineyards
Pre-registration desired, either:
go to www.Active.com
Ride Around the Reservoir
Rent a bike for just a $2 donation, and ride around beautiful Druid Lake in Druid Hill Park.
Apr, May, Sep, Oct: Saturdays 10 AM to 1 PM
Jun, Jul, Aug: Wednesdays 4:30 to 7:30
Bike Selection:
Adult Beach Cruisers in 17, 19, and 21 inch sizes
Kids: 11 inch mini mountain bikes, plus an odd assortment of smaller bikes with and without training wheels.
Rules:
– Bikes must stay on Lake Drive only.
– ID or Parent ID is required.
– Helmets absolutely required for age 16 or under.
Druid Hill Park
Hanlon Dr / East Dr at the Tennis Courts
Baltimore, MD
Our last Saturday ride will be May 29th — we move to Wednesdays (4:30 – 7:30) as of June 2nd!
Continue reading “Ride Around the Reservoir”
Police unity bike tour stops in Franklin in honor of fallen officers
Credit: Alexandra Pais/New Jersey Local News Service
By Tiffani N. Garlic/For The Star-Ledger
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP (Somerset County) — It was a sea of bicycles and blue as about 150 officers from across the country gathered in Franklin Township to join thousands more on the national Police Unity Tour to Washington D.C. honoring those killed in the line of duty.
…
The officers, each raising $1,700, pedal from all over the country and arrive on Wednesday at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C. where the names of fallen officers are engraved on a memorial wall.
Michael Martin, 42, of the Howell Township Police Department in Monmouth County, has participated in two other rides and said the show of ssolidarity inspires him.
“It’s one place I want to visit, but God forbid that I have my name on that wall, but if it does I know that all these folks are coming each year to pay their respects,” he said.
Bob Himes, 36, of the Baltimore City police department in Maryland, said he was riding for a friend who was fatally shot while serving a warrant in 2008.
…
Continue reading “Police unity bike tour stops in Franklin in honor of fallen officers”
Driving In Boston Makes You Mean And Stupid
Written by Boston Biker on May 06
Today on the way to work I was threatened by not one, but TWO idiots in trucks. I can say with some assurance that I was in full compliance with the law, did nothing to provoke or enrage them. They simply felt the need to threaten my life. I feel like in the last couple hours I have gone through all the stages of rage, from “KILL!” to “why?” (In case you were wondering the full stages of rage are KILL KILL KILL KILL AHHHH! KILL KILL KILL Kill Kill kill why?). So in the interest of letting the world know about these goons here are my stories.
1. White dodge dualy (the kind of truck with two back wheels on each side) Maryland plates licence number 220-260 lives/works in JP (followed him to his home). Drives up next to me, rolls down his window and says “get out of the road or I will run you over.” Older portly moron, with gray hair. The kind of person you can tell solves problems with violence. Bad breath.
Continue reading “Driving In Boston Makes You Mean And Stupid”