Riding outside of the cycle lane. The benefit of this for cyclists is that often cycle lanes can be largely blocked by parked cars, increasing the risk of dooring , or there can be dangerous rubble and water gathered that increases the chance of injury.
Riding in the middle of the road lane. This one can unfortunately really frustrate some motorists, but it is perfectly legal and often the safest option for cyclists to take. When out and about on your bike, make sure you keep in mind the Cycle Accident Claims enquiry number, which is Call us at your earliest opportunity if you experience an accident, to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.
The second time I cycled in this direction I got a lift to the start of my ride. It was pitch dark and overcast, not a great day. As we moved along the main dual carriageway towards the airport around 7am we pulled over to pass a slow moving vehicle driving with flashing lights. In front of it was a group of cyclists clearly out on a training ride. Just nearby was another group precariously stopped by the roadside, this time without support vehicle.
I had heard that some racing cyclists in Australia go to extraordinary lengths to get some training before the roads get busy. Now I had seen them in action. Absolutely terrifying. Apparently 7 riders were hurt in a collision with a car on one of these rides recently.
I spoke to cyclists in Melbourne and Sydney including advocates and sports cyclists as well as leisure riders. Nobody at all said they used the roads where cycling is combined with high speed traffic.
I know elsewhere in Sydney and Melbourne they are gradually building high quality segregated cycle routes, even along the major highways.
Interestingly most cyclists I spoke to in Sydney said they knew people who did use the unpleasant routes and there are even cycling advocates who regard the M2 Freeway cycle route as an essential part of their commute. This had once been a segregated parallel route to the motorway but the segregation had been lost during road widening and other changes leaving only the emergency access lane.
Some cyclists fought to keep use of it because the motorway actually provides one of the only fast, direct and relatively flat routes into the centre of Sydney. The alternative is apparently much slower and in their eyes more dangerous, but is extraordinary to me that advocates will campaign for a facility that is usable by just a tiny rump of the cycling community. I have to say a tiny minority because cycling is not a major means of transport in Australia. There is a bigger recreational community but it is still small compared to many European countries.
But within this group majority of people who cycled that I spoke to were not going to use the high speed routes. So the number of major highway users must be very small indeed. Every time I think about this I am drawn back to an excellent analysis of cycle users and potential cycle users that came originally from Portland in the US. The two main reasons are the speed of the traffic around the cyclists and the make-up of the traffic: it tends to be much heavier, larger vehicles such as shipping trucks, semis, and logging trucks, all going sixty miles per hour or faster, depending on the interstate , and the fact that freeways have very few places to cross safely when needed.
Cyclists can still end up on the interstate. Sometimes they end up there because they are lost, otherwise want to use it as a shortcut, or they are just hoping to dodge the state troopers. Depending on where you are biking, troopers can do anything from giving you a stern warning and a lecture and tell you to get off the highway or can find you and still get you off the interstate. Certainly, it can be quite dangerous, especially when dealing with off-ramps, but there are benefits as well.
A huge benefit for many cyclists is the same benefit for cars: a clear and long line of sight and flatter roads. The shoulders on freeways are huge too-often ten to twelve feet. This gives plenty of room for cyclists to stay on the shoulder while still dodging things like construction, debris, and wildlife.
In urban areas, main road traffic becomes congested. Average speeds are low. A bike is often the fastest vehicle, and the speed differential between you and motor traffic will be small. The problem is not so much drivers reacting too late or at all! Do not be shy about taking your lane.
This is not incompatible with being a virtuous cyclist. Be firm, but fair. Clear communication remains important, especially when changing lanes. You can also use most bus lanes, but never risk going up the inside of buses or lorries. Ready to begin? I'm an employee Employee I'm an employer Employer.
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