Traffic flow is dynamic. It often has different characteristics at different times of day. It is also influenced by road design as well as upstream and downstream interchanges. Once you understand these influences, you can predict and exploit these patterns for easy travel through complex situations.
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A week after taking the November 12-13 CyclingSavvy Weekend course, John Alexander sent me an email asking what was the best way to ride over the Lake Mary Blvd/I-4 interchange. Most people (including experienced road cyclists) regard that interchange as impossible for a cyclist. But John didn’t. He wrote, “I ‘analyzed’ the drive up...
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“‘I’ll see it when I believe it’ is more accurate than ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’” – Social psychologist Karl Weick Regular readers of this blog know we recommend an assertive lane position when the lane is too narrow to share.  Our rationale was initially that when a cyclist is in the right wheel...
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The left cross is the crash type we bicyclists have most in common with motorcyclists. The techniques for preventing it are the same as those taught in motorcycle school. Of course, it’s much easier to learn in motorcycle school because there is no baggage of taboo or fear surrounding operating a motorcycle away from...
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The thought of making a left turn from a multi-lane road is one of the things that makes people think vehicular cycling requires speed and athletic prowess. It seems like it would be a really difficult thing to do. But most of the time it’s actually really easy, and...
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Mindful: Bearing in mind; regardful; attentive; heedful; observant What do these signs tell you when you're riding? Should you always merge right when a lane is added to the road? Do you know when a bike lane stripe is misleading you? What do you do when your lane is going to end? What can...
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Narrow 2-lane roads can be more difficult than multi-lane arterial roads. No one likes making people wait behind them. It helps to be conscious of your actual impact on traffic. Sometimes 20 seconds feels like a lifetime, but does making motorists wait 20 seconds warrant pulling off the road or sacrificing your safety to...
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Trucks have huge blind spots. Truck drivers cannot see little things in their huge blind spots. Large vehicles off-track when turning, so they will appear to be going straight and often swing wide before making a right turn. Cyclists hit by turning trucks is a repeating news story which highlights the most serious deficiency in...
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A freeway entrance can create an intimidating road configuration for cyclists. It often involves a long right lane which diverges into an on-ramp. Cyclists operating with a typical far-right-curb bias can find themselves suddenly cut off by high-speed, right-turning traffic. Some will ride a foot to the right of the thru lane, blocking...
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The epiphany which transforms us into confident cyclists is grasping the simple (albeit counter-intuitive) fact that we have control of our environment. That control comes from predictability, communication and (believe it or not) self-image. Bicycling in traffic is a dance you must lead It is your choice of roadway position which most influences the behavior...
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