Subject: RE: Biking in the City In some respects, it's safer to ride in the lane as if you were a car, depending of course on how fast the traffic is moving. City traffic usually tops out at 15-20 mph, which even I (being ultra slow ) can get up to easily in a nice gear. This is how the bike messengers ride, but even they get hit once in awhile.
You'll have to build up confidence and comfort. If you try to hug the 6" at teh side of the road, cars will try to pass you in that lane and you are more likely to get brushed, or get run into somethng on the side of teh road like a grate.
If you are more into the center of the lane, they are forced to switch lanes to get around you.
In faster moving traffic, though (20-50mph ) I do stay to the right but still give myeslf about 5 feet of room in order to avoid car doors, sewers, grit, etc.
Traffic consisently faster than that isn't worth riding in, in my opinion. |