The Rights and Duties of Cyclists - Bicycle Safety
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- Опубликовано: 29 мар 2008
- League of American Bicyclists certified traffic cycling instructors demonstrate the rights and duties of cyclists in the United States. The video shows cyclists acting as drivers of vehicles making normal vehicular maneuvers including lane control, lane sharing, left and right turns, through movements and a freeway ramp crossing. This video is intended to show cyclists and motorists how it looks when cyclists act and are treated as vehicle drivers in normal urban traffic in the City of Long Beach, California. We used mirrors to scan for traffic so the video would not be jumpy from frequent head turns. These traffic cycling skills are taught by the League of American Bicyclists, Smart Cycling program, as well as the Cycling Savvy program. You can find LAB instructors and classes in your state at the education area of the League website:
www.bikeleague.org/programs/ed...
Or check out the Cycling Savvy website:
cyclingsavvy.org/
Whether or not you "like" controlling a lane has no bearing on the safety aspects of the practice. The purpose of controlling a lane is to be highly visible, as this is what protects any driver from those behind. This is just as true for a sedan driver in front of SUVs or large trucks as it is for bicyclists in front of sedans. Though counterintuitive, by "trying" to stay out of the way, you actually invite close passes & crossing conflicts; with sidewalks amplifying the crossing crash risk.
That's precisely my point, and the point of the video; when you ride at the road edge, you get treated far worse then when you act like a real driver. It does not follow that being passed closely or honked at when riding at the road edge, that it becomes worse when you control lanes; quite the opposite occurs in practice. All the evidence I have gathered from around the US, is that acting as a driver is the lowest risk best practice for bicyclists.
There are some excellent points in this video about how bicyclists should interact with traffic. I especially liked the mention of proper lane position and signaling.
I work where there are a lot of cyclists and I never know what to do in my car so I'm trying to learn.
Bravo!
this helped me. I ride a bike to and from college. but unfortunately there isn't as much room on roads as this video so it gets tight.
You might want to try the three foot flag from takeyourlane.com - keeps the cars away!
This actually helps. Bicyclists in my area tend to take the entire lane up and I just needed to know what I was allowed to do to pass.
This could be the best yet, perhaps because of the dubbed narration. Outstanding.
really good video and well-made. I like this quote by John Forester:
The greatest defect in American bicycling is the predominance of incompetent, unlawful, fearful, and superstitious cycling behaviors and beliefs among the population, both bicycling and general, and the corresponding paucity of lawful, competent, and confident cyclists.
In Holland we have seperated lanes for cyclists.
And you have a different culture altogether when it comes to transportation. Holland's cycle tracks by themselves will never work in the US.
one of the best videos on the web , im happy to see that I do these practices myself when I ride
Very informative video on how to ride your bicycle in traffic. This was the perfect video for my question, "HOw to ride my bicycle in the streets?"
This is a wonderful video to show how to properly be a vehicular cyclist! I plan on showing this video to my friends so they can learn about why cyclists ride the way they ride!
In addition to following the proper safety rules and abiding by the applicable traffic laws as shown in this video, I would strongly recommend that all avid cyclists with auto insurance get Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage with relatively high limits. This coverage will cover you (at least in California) if you get in an accident involving a car whose driver may have no or insufficient insurance coverage. I get calls to my office all the time from cyclists who unfortunately were involved in accidents and they cannot recover for their injuries because the at fault driver did not have insurance or did not have enough coverage. Safe cycling.
I'm always glad to see videos like this! Together we can help educate drivers and bicyclists! :)
Excellent video. I bike commute through DC, where bike lanes are still fairly scarce and cyclists have no option but to ride with traffic. I constantly try and tell cyclists who ride in the far right area of a lane that they are actually much safer "controlling the lane" (i.e., riding in the middle). This video captures that very well.
Excellent video. I use these skills all the time and they have kept me safe for 30 plus years cycling 5000 to 10000 km per year in all seasons and all types of weather.
I've really enjoyed your set of videos, well shot, well paced and making good sense, all cyclists could learn some valuable lessons here, excellent work. Thanks
Ever since I've been using cameras when cycling people don't mess with me. Before the cameras, a small percentage of people would use their horns or yell out their window even though I follow the statutes to a tee. I've only encountered one obscene verbal by a random passenger in a truck when in the bike lane at an intersection. Normally I take the vehicle lane when stopped at intersections but my mind was in autopilot at that moment. People also don't realise many of us cyclists are also motorists and we also pay our fair share of road taxes.
Excellent video, Dan! Keep up the great work!
Gettng back to basics is a good thing - thanks
I liked this. The pov stuff really creates the feeling of what it's like in the lane. About 75% comprehensive think about some on screen graphx but keep up the good work dan... Who ever you are :-)
This includes many excellent tips. As with any type of vehicle, it's important to be predictable and communicate one's intentions before proceeding.
Very informative video I didn't know all the rules cyclists had to follow. I recently moved to a big city and bought a Trek 820 to get to a from work. Now I know to obey the same laws at motorists.
These techniques work anywhere in the US. I have done so in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Florida and New York. No problems whatsoever.
thanks a ton for this video. im a student about to purchase a ss bike to commute through the city and i was unsure of how turns are done. thanks again so much,a great help! GOD Bless :)
This is an excellent video that covers many of the safety issues that the common bicyclist should learn so as to increase their safety.
Don't worry about cars crossing a solid yellow line to pass you, and don't change lane positions to avoid making them do it. Some states and countries actually have an exception that allows drivers to pass slow-moving vehicles in a no-passing zone. Even for the ones who don't, cops won't generally care, as long as the driver isn't endangering anyone. Your responsibility is yourself, so keep your lane position, and keep a safe distance from parked cars.
Great video! I think the motorist that are ignorant and thinks bicyclist don't belong on the road should see these videos.
Nice video,very informative...
I have always wondered if a rider has the right of way for his or her own lane now I know...
Thanks for the good information..
Thanks for the good info..def will use in the future.
Thank you for keeping us safe!!
It took me about a year of utility cycling before I started bikeing like this... When I controlling a lane and a car waits behind me for ME to MOVE out of HIS way, I point back at the car, bounce my arm and point the the lane to pass in and them move my arm to show overtake me in that lane. I do this often and recomend it to others.
I've found the safest way to ride is to leave 5 minutes earlier than necessary for my 30 minute urban commute and to ride slower.
When the light turns green, I ride very slowly and let all the cars
quickly pass by me. Then I am almost alone until the next light.
A very smart and proper use of a bike. Like drivers, people shouldn't expect to speed to their destination. Know the capabilities and limitations of your ride and plan accordingly.
@MattTheWeedMaster
Matt, sidewalks are for pedestrians. Streets are for bicycles, cars, and motorcycles.
Good vid....thank you ! Very informative. I wish more people in South Florida would watch this.
this is a really good clear video. thank you very much
Fantastic Video! Great job!
I was watching this video because I'm a new cyclist. Come to realize I ride in the same streets as these guys. How cool. After reading the info I get it. Long Beach is truly a bicycling city. Also a dog city haha
I live in long beach also.. make sure u make eye contact with opposite oncoming vehicle... or vehicle that you think that may possible hit you...make sure they are aware.
I got hit recently with suv.. I was in the wheelchair for awhile.
If you can find a Cycling Savvy or League of American Bicyclists safety course near you, I highly recommend it. They teach this stuff in more detail and help you learn to practice the techniques.
Thanks for sharing. I got my first bike today since I was twelve and I'm a little nervous. I don't plan on going far just around my neighborhood but I thought I'd look up bike safety just to make sure I don't screw up. Now just saying that should I just stick to the side walk or stay on the street? Are there any websites you would recommend so I know what to do? Any and all advice is welcome :) Thank you.
I'm new to America. this will gonna help me a lot, since in my country you only allowed to
ride your bike on the sidewalk.... THANKS!!!
To anyone who thinks this is unsafe riding, just go look up some videos of bike messengers or alley cat races. Those guys make these guys look like the safest cyclists on the road. BTW good interview with Dan on the Outspoken Cyclist radio show the other night.
It is a perfect example of how to ride on the road with traffic. It is welly adopted in all advanced cities in the world.
Great video.
One question though...I noticed when yielding to oncoming traffic prior to making a left turn, the cyclist is not signaling the turn even though it is technically required by law (vehicle code 22108).
Is this done intentionally to help avoid the situation where oncoming motorists unnecessarily stop/yield to the left turning cyclist?
I've had oncoming vehicles stop for me while I'm stopped/yielding and signaling a left turn, which can be a dangerous/unpredictable situation.
Nathanael: It's context-sensitive, and depends on your own preference. The most vehicular thing to do would be to wait on or near the center line, allowing traffic to pass you on your right if there's room, and then turning left when there's a gap in oncoming traffic. But there's nothing inherently wrong with pulling over safely and crossing as a pedestrian.
My friend from Thailand used to carry a key in his and when he rode his bike. When people got too close (i.e. so close that he only has to turn the key outwards slightly for it to touch the car, and the side mirrors can actually hit your handlebars), he keyed their cars. It was ecognised by the locals, and if your car got keyed, you knew what you did. It also showed others what you nearly did...
Nathanael, you can do it either way that’s most comfortable for you. If it’s your street, you will likely make this maneuver several times a week or month, and you will get better at moving left a block or two early, when there is a gap in traffic. It is legal, safe and courteous to execute a left turn in this manner, just as if you were on a Harley Davidson that weighs hundreds of pounds.
Tank you very much for your help
Yep, you still don't want to compromise your own safety. It's give and take, of course, so as soon as I can help the driver(s) behind, I'll make it easy for them to overtake me, but never at the cost of my safety.
Try searching out "you forced me to speed to overtake you" for one where I just have to take the lane on a narrow road in Bromley.
Thx a lot for video...it helped me on my lesson ))
Very nice video, thank you.
Very informative video, thanks a lot for making it. This and Ken Kifers web site helped me a lot in understanding my rights and duties.
@quarvis - Sounds all well and good? Does your computer only play audio? This video shows that driver behavior produces driver treatment. I take it that you only ride along river paths that have no road crossings, sort of like a bike as a recreational toy, rather than using it for transportation.
We just shot some of the same types of video in Dallas, Texas, Same results, too. It works everywhere in the USA.
@akittenonfire - The main issue higher lane count, higher speed roads is that lane changes need to be started early, and if a natural gap in the traffic (due to platooning from traffic signals) does not occur, then it often requires negotiation, which is the ability to signal and look back to determine if a driver in the lane to the left will let you in, in order to make lane changes. You can see examples in the Bicycle Driving on SoCal arterials video on this same channel.
Excellent and informative video. Thank you CyclistLorax.
+BikeBlogger didn't expect to see you here XD
There is a lot of info packed in here! Of course, I get my info from Officer Buttwhype (this video shows him in action):
ruclips.net/video/iiEXo2gvMe8/видео.html
Great video. I use these same techniques while commuting to and from work. I do get a lot of people who yell at me to use the bike path. How do you handle those situations.
Good informative vid
@samten10a At what time in the video? At 2:35 and 2:50 the light was green for both left turns, the first from a left turn only lane, the second from the left lane.
. Now I am riding an electric bike at a constant 20mph and wow what a differance. I'm glad you put this video. Very helpful. Cars never seem to put it together that I am on electric bike and approche them much faster than they think. I don't get angy because I can understand ther surprise. I'm stilll scared to try some of the things you said. Lane control and not going all the way to the right in a right turn lane when I;m going straight. I do stop at all stop signs and wait for a green light.
make a box left turn which is basically you go forward moving straight with traffic staying to the right and then stop once you get to to the opposite streets right lane reposition your bike and go straight once they have a green light
hey bro, ccould you provide me a link that explains the rights and duties of a cyclists ?
As for pulling over: there's no requirement to, but it's a nice courtesy if there's absolutely no other option for the other drivers. On a 4-lane street, they're SOL if they want to stay behind me -- they can easily pass. But on a 2-lane street with a median and narrow lanes -- it's courteous to pull over occasionally and let them pass. My usual policy is to pull over if they're courteous to me -- and don't do anything out of my way at all if they're honking.
what soundtrack did u use
Has there been any progress made on the issue of traffic lights that do not change for bicycles? You know, the ones that sense the presents of a vehicle before activating the traffic signal. I have been away for some time. Use to be that my bike would NOT cause the signals to change and this made it very difficult to use the traffic signals properly and also created a definite hazard for me caused by motorists who had the benefit of changing signals while I did not.
"Vehicular cycling" is perhaps necessary on roads with no modal separation, however as a basis for getting more people to cycle it's a disaster. Many people are uncomfortable sharing with fast moving motor vehicles let alone "controlling the traffic".
This outdated approach unfortunately dominates much of US cycle advocacy, & has led to extremely low cycling rates here, compared to countries with high quality separated cycle lanes as the norm, such as Denmark & the Netherlands.
Song?
Thank you for the video. :)
Question: If you are going down a street and your driveway is on the left side of the street, and there is dense traffic on both sides of the street, should you pull over and allow the traffic to pass or wait until there is a safe opening and cut through the yellow line?
The strategies illustrated in the video work for multi-lane roads, but what are the strategies for two-lane roads (i.e. one lane each direction)? I live in WV where hills make bikes even slower and twisty roads make passing regions few and far between. I feel comfortable using the techniques in the video in the denser parts of town where the roads are wide or multi-lane, but what about the other roads?
+ebflagg See my reply to BarefootBotanist, who asked the same question above.
If I'm at a three way stop sign... say "T" for example, and I'm biking along that top line heading west, would I have to stop or can I ride right through? Trying to figure out the rules of the road because I like biking clockwise around this lake, but there's a lot of three way stop signs and traffic lights along the route. If I go straight through it's not like I risk getting hit by someone heading north since that's not an option, but I also feel hesitant because I don't want to blow through the stop sign or red light if it's not allowed.
I just wonder what sign had the white car at the scene 3:08 and why the bike get second and not last
Three way stop signs. The bike got there after the oncoming car, but before the truck on the right.
Also, is it legal in the US to filter through a queue of traffic? I think you call it lane splitting - riding on the left hand side of the traffic queue or between traffic queues.
Good video on cycling road safety. I liked it! The one thing that really sucks about cycling is that many motorists pass you way too closely.
I know plenty of motorists who should watch this video.
There is no easy answer when dealing with prejudice. I usually tell people that the path doesn't go where I need to go, and even on those extremely rare occasions when the path does go where I'm going, they are much more hazardous at driveways and intersections. You can read more about this in our ITC Intro on the CyclistView website, click on the link on our CyclistLorax channel page.
I remember watching this vid when I was 14, and thought no way, I’m using a bike to ride with cars. Now that I’m 28, I still don’t think a bikes place is directly on the road with cars.
#ProtectedBikeLanes FTW
Thank you
If you had read the other comments, you would notice that this has already been answered:
"We use mirrors to look, otherwise the head turns create very bad video."
thank you! now i feel comfortable riding to school
love the music
My biggest problem is that in thin lanes, cars actually illegally swerve passed the double bar line and go around me when i'm going slow. Many times I've recked into parked cars and fell off because of this from fear. It's also hard when there is much traffic, so I "parallel park" to let the cars go by, but then I'm stuck waiting for ten minutes. I've heard this many times, but is it true that if you just ride the same path that you would if you were driving, everything should be fine?
Is this Long Beach, CA?
Yes. Nearly all of the footage in this video was shot in Long Beach, CA.
I put a silent motor on my bike, people be like wow he is moving on that bicycle.
Can you go in between the cars?
Jeff, here are the two relevant codes:
22108. Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
21200. (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division,..., except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application. The second reply will give the explanation for the behavior.
Try the 'Copenhagen' left. It will take a bit longer to make the turn, but is well worth the extra safety.
@RedheadDane - Bicyclists in the US have the same rights and duties as other drivers of vehicles, so they are allowed to make normal left turns from left turn lanes as well as the leftmost travel lane. While it is also legal to make a double road crossing to make left turn, it puts the cyclist at the road edge where they are often in conflcit with right turning drivers. The point of the video was to demonstrate cyclists operating as drivers in normal travel lanes.
Great Job! I agree that viewing this video (or one like it) should be manditory for obtaining or renewing a driver's license. It would be easy for the DMV link to such a video and have a person verify that they watched it by answering qestions on content. I would encourage you to make additional videos showing the dangers of being "doored" and how a driver should check and double check before opening a door into traffic. How cyclists can look ahead into the side view mirror, etc.
What about the second cyclist @3:00 that skips the truck? Is this how I should ride? Why did we even wait for the first car if we are going to skip the second?
If you approach a traffic light thats been green for awhile and there is traffic behind you. And you are in the middle lane because the right lane is a right-turn only. I always try to barely ride between the right and middle lane. So cars can pass. But a tiny bit of wind might make my bike turn and it can be a scary situation.
I took the cyclist test for Illinois and I passed but I was still confused about the whole intersection thing. I wished that the test covered more on that in detail. Turning left was still the most confusing thing about it, or going straight.
People commenting about sidewalk/taking up whole lanes don't realize different places has different laws. Locally, our city has a handbook for cyclists. It forbids riding on sidewalk(unless there is a sign allowing you), and if the street doesn't have a bike lane, you are suppose to take up the entire car lane even if it's a one lane road. By not obeying those (and a shit ton of rules), cops usually CAN fine you around 100-150 dollars..(hardly seen enforced)
you can have the no riding on sidewalk law over turned in your city. we did here when they tried to start that crap up. federal law states cyclists can ride anywhere pedestrians can walk and federal law trumps city laws and ordinances. as long as you have a bell to let people know that you are trying to pass them on the sidewalk and you yield to pedestrians, its legal
yeah, but like I said..our laws are never enforced. Cause cops know it's stupid...never seen or heard anyone been fined for riding on sidewalk. Only exception is motored bikes, I have seen them get fined and rightfully so.
+Beach Life : You're lying about federal law. You have no idea what you are talking about.
u know differnt placess has different laws right
Riding on the sidewalk sucks. I stick to the roads.
@mrcranky01 - To make lane changes into a faster moving lane, you can either wait for a gap in the traffic or negotiate a lane change. Negotiation requires that you look back and then signal and look back again (or just keep your head turned around as you signal) to see if a motorist will give you space. You can see this in anumber of the other videos on this channel, such as Bicycle Driving on SoCal Arterials.
@OnlineBike Thanks for your response and that makes me more confident and want to ride more on the open road :) He pronounced his name Jacob but I forgot his last name. I will just ignore them and follow the traffic rule as one vehicle and enjoy riding :)
there is one exception to these rules:
In Idaho, cyclists are legally allowed to...
1) treat stop signs as Yield signs, while still being required to yield the right-of-way.
2) treat stop lights as stop signs, while still being required to yield the right-of-way.
And I don't want to hear any mumbo jumbo about why you don't agree with that. If you don't live in Idaho, it doesn't even matter. If you do, understand that such behavior is legal, and therefore you should expect it to happen.
Anyone else cycle not because of the environmental, but to save money and just have fun?
A strict semantic interpretation would simply assert that 22108 doesn't apply to bicycles, which per CVC 231 are NOT vehicles, they are devices. However, the more perceptive answer is to recognize that the intent of traffic laws is to promote safe movements, and that when travelling at very low speeds, such as when waiting in an intersection to turn left, it is better to control the bike, and signal when necessary to ensure other drivers are aware of your maneuver. Safety takes precedence...
@wheel851 I don't know if you are in the US or in my state of North Carolina, but here a bicycle legally has all the rights of a car, or a tractor with a "job," or without a "job," and people are expected to share the road. I believe the laws guidelines are that if there are 5 or more cars waiting behind you and they can't pass without crossing the middle line, and there's no bike lane or anywhere else to ride but 3 feet out in the road, it's time to safely pull over.
On one hand you have the right to the road as much as they do - the horn should not be used as intimidation!
On the other hand it's polite to let traffic pass if you are holding up a number of vehicles that cannot overtake for some reason.
UK Highway Code 169:
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.