Urban Cycling - How to Ride Your Bicycle in Traffic - Episode 1
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
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Be confident, take the lane, keep in-flow, and communicate.
Before you know it, you'll realize that riding a bicycle in urban settings is safe, practical, inexpensive, healthy, and LOTS of FUN.
Visit my channel for more videos on how to deal with complex, advanced, and unique situation while riding in an urban environment. 
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Watching these foreign 'how to ride your bicycle' videos makes me very happy with the bike infrastructure we have here in Belgium. Something we take for granted or even complain about that's it not yet safe enough. In comparison to other countries we're doing far better than great I believe.
True , i live also in belgium and exept of the sometimes morons driving around isn't it bad to ride around in on a bike . , but i'd like to go to america and experience the way like he's riding here in this video, on a real street where the cars can go faster than 30km/h , with intersections , etc , ...
brought up some really great point thank you. and for you California drivers "its a new law car have to be 3 feet from a cyclist and they can enter the road if a bike lane is NOT present"
I was an avid cyclist up until my late thirties when I moved to Houston, Tx. Rode a few times on the roads there and stopped because I felt it was too dangerous. I developed a LOVE for tennis to keep fit and have progressed to 4.5/5.0 level in the ten years I've been playing. However, my joints have paid the price so I am returning to cycling as my primary means of staying fit. This video has been a tremendous help in allaying my fears about riding on the roads! I feel I can navigate my way through urban streets and commute in addition to using the bike paths and doing group rides. Thanks again!
I've watched a bunch of videos on how to ride in traffic safely and yours is by far the best. Thanks for uploading.
I ride 20 minutes to work every day and I have to say your video has just made that ride a lot better for me.
Here's something sad. I live in riverview florida and just biked to town and country florida. About 25 miles. I only saw 1 other bike the entire trip. 1. And it was a homeless man. Come on people. I'm biking to Clearwater tomorrow from here over the causeway and I hope to run into other cyclists on the way. But I probably wont. It'll be close to 70 tomorrow so the weathers perfect. I wish there were more cyclists here. I only have one other person who tours with me and we're cycling from riverview to Miami only stopping to camp. If anyone else wants to join in the fun message me.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I have been wanting to cycle to school for a long time now (better exercise, shorter commuting times, etc), but I have been terrified by the number of biking accidents reported in the city. Watching videos like this helps build my confidence and knowledge, so thanks! ... I also get the feeling that if I knew how to drive a car, this stuff would be easier (in terms of predicting the traffic, and so on)
Thank you so much for this! Some of the best advice I have come across.
I agree that we should respect the road. Make us look good people!
Very helpful, practical tips. I've been trying to study a lot of bike riding footage and it oftentimes seems like overconfident or impractical cycling habits contribute to some of the scary moments and moments of confusion between cyclists and motorists. So these clear, concise, SAFE, tips that stress open communication and anticipating traffic flow help me a lot.
I love your in-flow with traffic approach. It allows drivers to see your predictable cycling. Cheers!
I am just beginning to be a commuter biker and found this video very helpful. We have a few bike lanes but certainly not everywhere in New Orleans. I like the idea of be "part of traffic" like you say instead of hugging the curb and praying people give you a wide berth and no one opens a door into you.
Been cycling for years but hey,i got some good info here.Respect dude.Anticipating what other road users may/will do is crucial to safety.
awesome video! thank you! i just got a new bike, Im a new rider and this information helped me GREATLY in remaining confident and aware of my relationship to traffic and the urban environment. i just got back from my first true ride through the city and used of alot of points you made here so im back to say THANKS!
THIS IS THE MOST INTELLIGENT CYCLING VID I EVER SAW.. THANKS
Exellent video, aplicable in most cities I believe. The advice on traffic light position was really helpful. :)
Like you wrote - no horns. When cycling in traffic, not getting honked (or hit) is what I consider to be a sign you're riding well.
So, basically, pretend that you are in a slow motorcycle, with you legs as engine.
Yeah got a ticket for impeding the flow on a 2 lane road...4 cars behind including one officer who said I should have pulled over and let him..he corrected and said them....pass...got a lawyer who went with me to court and the judge threw it out when the cop did not show...3 months later pulled up to a red light (no other traffic) stopped then went through and guess who stopped me for running a red light...said I should have turned right then went up a block and turned left (intersection did not have cross walk push buttons.) BTW some state laws require you ride to the right of the lane check local laws first. Also my state prohibits cars from using horns around bicycle's it distracts the riders (startled the heck out of me.) I cycle 50 miles per day all in urban setting so this is an excellent video.
Awesome video! Great road etiquette also! That's how road cycling is done...!
Nice man! This is really helpful, as I ride in NYC. Some of these tips I learned on my own, but much of what you said is awesome review and some new things too I didn't know. Thanks!
Great tips. Your 15 second rule of thumb is a great way to plan accordingly and stay in flow with traffic.
this is very informative - thanks! I've started going to work by a bike recently and have some difficulties in the traffic (mostly related to not taking the lane and filtering); once again, great vid
I've watched all your videos, thanks for posting them. They're very helpful! :)
Loving your video! It has helped me! Now I know why I used to get cut off and in situations like some... THANKS!
Thanks for the vids. I will try to put all this into practice.
One thing you don't do is you don't watch for vehicles on cross streets. When I'm riding, I usually keep an eye out on cross streets. I'm scanning for any vehicles that think there are drivers wanting to go through a stop sign/red light, thinking there is no vehicle. I also do the same before stopping at an intersection. Just because they have/supposed to stop, doesn't always mean they will.
Ed Cubillan I sure do. Have you heard of "slicing the pie"? I apply the same principle and cut the corners at less than 30 degrees per second. Check out some IPSC videos.
Frederick Chim It's just according to the video, you approach a lot of intersections & side streets and your head (camera) seems focused straight ahead. Like in 0:47. And the van that just turned right at around 1:03, you didn't check to see if there was a vehicle turning into your direction from that street the van just turned into.
I believed that the checks happened because this cyclist seems practical and safe. But the tip wasn't pointed out in the video and I personally didn't see it demonstrated clearly in the video. However, based on the other over-the-shoulder checks and other types of anticipatory actions displayed in the video, I'm sure this cyclist does these things.
I remember the first time I took my road bike out on the main and busy road. I was scarred as ever but through time your confidence and abilities increase. Just be mindful of people who really shouldn't be driving a car. There's plenty of them and they really have no respect for cyclists. Also always watch out for pot holes and parked cars on your left side. People can open doors unexpectedly and then ....BOOM! You're dead. Game over kid. hahaha, I'm just joking, but seriously, pay attention to those parked cars. ;)
Jason Gafar so how are u suppose to respond
wouldn't the parked cars be on your right side?
Im going to start riding my bike to work and this video helped a lot...riding in Boston is tough
Thank you so much!!! This is very helpful and the presentation makes it simple to understand!
Thanks for this - just getting started bike commuting and this was very informative - I know I'll use some of your tips on my ride tomorrow!
Finally a video of a true cyclist. I'm sick of seeing all these videos of self absorbed people thinking they can do what ever they want while riding on the road. Giving us cyclists a bad rep. I can't wait for my GoPro so I can show this as well
thanks for taking the time to do this....it's very helpful for a new rider....
Fantastic video, i already use almost all of these techniques but i sure as hell wish everybody else did!
Thanks man!! Very informative and insightful to all the little things I would not have thought about!!?
Excellent tips! Thank you!
Great tips, really helped. (Me being a beginner cyclist) Very helpful indeed, though I'm not at that mindset yet to ride on the roads as traffic. There's just that constant fear I'll get hit by a inconsiderate, unaware driver. Just the feeling of cars overtaking scares me quite a lot, but cheers for the tips they'll help me when I gather the bravery to get out on the roads!
Very insightful, super helpful, and a great teacher! thanks!
Very good instructions. I've just started commuting and this vid is very helpful. Good job, mate.
About time cycling proficiency was taught at junior school.
Great video. I am about to buy a new Trek and I have learned so much already by reading my state laws for bicycling, but I have learned even more from watching informative videos like this one. Sometimes I wished I lived in a city like that, but I live in a rural area with a lot of open country roads where people are driving way too fast and not paying attention. I imagine a city is nice because of the slower speeds.
good job bringing up the door zone! I learned the hard way! lol
lol Thanks for the info. I will probably end up getting them once I start riding more. Thanks again.
Boston drivers are so nice... You will be surprised in California... hahaha
+Yuhong Liu
15 mph average speed in Boston translates to 50 mph in California, at least in the busier cities
+Tejas Kaladi Unfortunately, these advises does not apply to any roads with 40mph+ speed limits.
+Frederick Chim People in my neighborhood drive 40 mph in the 25 mph zone. I ride single speed, so I feel like I am holding up traffic all the time.
+Frederick Chim There is a lot of traffic in the morning and evenings, causing me to feel much faster than cars, but riding too fast will cause accidents in traffic.
Commuting here in Manila Philippines on bike is like your last ride every time you ride. Seriously, PUV's here is worst. The drivers is so aggressive and arrogant. Sorry for my bad english.. (silently cries in filipino)
This is an amazingly detailed and helpful video! Thank you so much!
Fantastic video, thanks. It's nice to see a fellow cyclist riding in traffic in a civilized country. If i would do what you did, I would be dead in a couple of minutes here. Keep it up, it's nice to watch.
Great teaching!!! Yesterday was my first time biking in nyc. almost got hit 2 times. We have bike lanes on the avenues but not streets, when i was in the bike lane and ready to go ahead under green light, the taxi on my right suddenly turn left and I had to give the way........ This video is very helpful for me to figure out how to get in the street traffic- read the driver's signal!!!!
These are great instructions!
Very Helpful! thanks for the video!
This was incredibly helpful to me. Thank you!
Thanks for teaching about the filtering behind the lead vehicle, I usually just pulled to the front of the bike lane because I thought I was suppose to, but I see why you wouldn't.
Excellent example of bicycle driving. Bravo to you sir. :-)
Great advise. Although in California drivers are less patient and are riding faster. It is still great advise. I already use many of your notes but I will put others in practice. I'm an experienced rider with decades of experience in cities like Guatemala city and San Francisco.
Great video, you made many good points.
Quick question. at 2.51, how did you predict that the pickup would turn right later on down the road? Did you get this just from the brake lights?
Great video! I have one question, when should I ride in middle of the lane? and also when should i ride on the right of the curb?
I also highly communicate and that can be very effective, specially at stop signs, we have tons of crazy suicidal cyclists here (UCSC for the most part) so cars always think I'm going to run the stop sign but I don't so I often have to signal they can go because I'm about to stop the stop sign... I actually spend a lot of energy communicating and just legally do what I'm supposed to be doing... sad but true...
I will make sure to share your video as much as possible!
Thanks again and keep it up
Really good demo and commentary. I did some of these things, but picked up a couple tips. Worth watching and learning from. Thanks for making the video.
Thank you for that vid an always be safe! Greetings to Boston from Lueneburg/Germany!
Thanks Fred. Really helpful tips. But I'm scared of merging into the car lane because I'm still new to cycling. Can't even signal a turn because I can't take my hand off the handlebar.
When you feel like you couldn't catch up with the traffic flow, let say from 20mph to 40mph zone, what would you do?
Sorry for the late reply. I did end up buying a 2012 Trek 7.4 FX. What a great bike. It has 27 speeds, carbon fiber fork, shimano acsera front derailer, and shimano diore rear derailer. It had race tires on it, but since I live on a rough surface road, they switched it to H5's. They are also hard-case plus tires. They even switched the seat out for me. I love the bike, but haven't been well these last few years and am slowly getting my health back. I may upgrade to a pure road bike later.
Great video of some fine cycling, thanks :)
Very nice, I have some health issues that are keeping me from riding mine everyday, but once they resolve I will be getting more use out of it. I don't quite ride mine that much. I got it almost 2 months ago and only have about 70 or 80 miles on it. How do you like the clipless pedals? Are they difficult to unclip when ya need to stop? I almost looked at the 1.1 but wasn't sure I wanted a road bike yet.
Great video, thank you.
In the UK most cyclists use flashing lights on lit roads, since it's easier for drivers to pick out against background light and car headlights. But ideally they also have a fixed light, so that it's possible for other road users to judge distance and speed.
I'm with you on adjusting your speed so you arrive when the lights turn green - but sadly too many drivers become impatient when you do that!
Great tips you have there!
thank you, great teacher
hey, really great video. Thanks for all the great advice and for making this!
Thank you, this really helped.
Number 6 though, hilarious! And oh, so true!
Super great advice for the urban cyclist, but i would state that it took me one hole year to learn these thing for my self. So i wold place this advice under intermediate to advanced cycling skills.
Wonderful! This is how I "drive" my bicycle as well, only I can't always do it because cars drive faster here in Santa Cruz and I ride a pretty heavy city bike, not a road bike, which I'm happy about, it's on the heavy side, it feels safe when it's windy and such but I can't always ride fast enough but of course most of the time they go over the speed limit, which I call them out for. Anyway, very good, common sens, pro active and respecting way of driving!
Thanks so much. Very helpful tips. :)
Glad to see I'm not the only person who knows how to ride a bike!
Great video. Most of your advice is applicable here in the SF Bay Area of CA. However, would you do things any different if the motorists were driving faster? Let's say at an average of 45 mph?
Hi, I have a question, I'm 16 and I plan to commute to work on a bike, I live in NYC where there are little to no hills around. What kind of gearing would i need? I'm looking at the Windsor Wellington 2.0 ($350) with crankset 52-42-30 and cogs 11-28. What do you use/need?
I love your videos by the way, this is the second time that I'm watching them.
Very good advice,thank you I shall bookmark this and refresh my memory occasionaly Riding in England is becoming increasingly difficult the population has increased by .
by a third since I started riding and motor traffic much more, so frustration is making all intolerant of others.advice like your is very necessary.
Great Vid!!!
I live in Philadelphia and just bought a road bike. I am training for a tri and always got nervous in traffic. I am going to try staying in traffic. Thanks. Do some more night time ones.
Thanks for sharing your tips; they're common sense and are not hard to apply when riding a bike. I would also recommend wearing bright clothes or backpack and using both a powerful front and rear light, even in broad daylight. Distracted drivers might not see you when you follow a dark van or SUV and might read end you when the traffic slows down approaching a red light. A bright flashing rear light will help them notice you.
Thx Alot! I have to go to my coaching classes tomorrow at 11:45 am I didnt Rode My Bike from 2 years :p But In morning during holidays i was practicing and tomorrow is sunday i still afraid and scared but i have a little courage after watching this video
Really nice video. it helps to actually see what you are doing and talking about. Good job.
Very useful tips, especially for a beginner like myself.
Can you make a basics demonstration video for keeping full control of the bicycle with one hand, riding consistently (I tend to stagger in busy narrow streets in fear of falling or colliding with a vehicle)?
lol U r pic thts really epic :p
I really want to make more videos, but school is really reeeally busy!!
BeyondDestiny jus get rid of the fear and you’ll naturally be able to
Great video man thank you, like the advice
Ah this video is fantastic. Unfortunately in my city most of the roads are 45mph with no bike lanes or expressways and highways. And the slower-traffic roads around me are extremely bumpy, uneven, and have lots of potholes.
Thank you Frederick for your very informative (and possibly life-saving) video!
What type of light do you have?
This is a great video. How do you turn left when there's thick traffic? Often I feel like its too dangerous to cut over to the far left lane over 3 lanes of traffic to turn left so instead I go straight through and stop with the cross traffic that's waiting to cross over and then go with them. It takes a little longer but is this how most urban riders do it?
WELL DONE MY FRIEND!!!!!! I am very much for bike advocacy, I unfortunately ride a little reckless. There were some points on the ride that I may have shot past and not think things through. But At night I rock a 350 lumens bike light and 600 lumens headlamp
Amazing video. Thanks for uploading.
I don't know if you decided on a Trek yet, But I just got my Trek 1.1 a week ago and absolutely love it!! It's Treks beginner model but I tell you what... You can keep pace with just about anyone. Then I almost feel guilty telling them how much I paid for it. I highly recommend the Trek 1.1
I'm confused on the front right position. How did it work for you but when he did it they all passed? Is it that particular light setup?
very helpful video since i'm new to biking, thanks boss :)
Thanks a ton for your video
Some good advice in the second half, I find myself agreeing with you on being in the traffic flow and not being in the lead, rather than filtering to the front
Thank you so much !
hey nice video fellow commuter. just wondering. . around 3:50 . Why have you not just take the bike lane ? maybe because of the park cars? I use to be a bike messager nyc . Now just a full time commuter in Phoenix. Got some recent videos as well commuting and explore my new state .
some good pointers there. it's all about predicting, courtesy and being aware you can be very much elusive to to drivers. its better to presume they havn't seen you than expect that they have! always be prepared for the unexpected (doors opening, people not indicating etc.) I always ride with headphones in and although this may not look good I always keep the volume down and check my blind spot even if i think there's nothing there.
Excellent vid.
ok....do you use hand signals for turns...what about light during the day?...Iam a motorcycle guy this slower speed is new to me...I live in grand junction co its pretty bicycle friendly here with bike lanes ,thats why I figured I would try riding urban rather than trails....I too lived in the east with the traffic..yikes...THANKS
Cheers Hudd ;) I follow all your recommendations. Tho I still need some time to work on the first one.
I will usually stay at my uni for an hour or two to avoid the rush hour. I feel much safer with less traffic.
this video should be shown to all bikers who want to ride street, for like a bicycle license or something ... awesome
I was skeptical to watch this, but you have some good tips!
are bicycle allowed to lane split? (i live in california bikes are allowed, but how about bicycles?)
Alot of cyclists arn't trained in driving and don't know how to read traffic. Great video!
really useful video thanks dude.