When I took the classroom part of the Road I course, we watched a video explaining how to position yourself in lanes when riding in traffic. Nowadays, everything is available online, and I found a similar video on YouTube. It’s not exactly the same as the one we saw in class, but some of the scenes are, and it uses some of the same certified league instructors for demonstration.
If you poke around in YouTube and other places, you’re likely to find other worthwhile instructional videos. As a lifelong rider in the right lane, some of this stuff was eye opening for me. But then, I’m still a noob.
Just in case you wonder what the trackback says: I explained to my readers a cultural difference between the United States and Germany, which becomes obvious in this video. Over here, cyclists are often treated as a disturbance or, by cycling advocates, as “weak” road users that need “protection”. The idea that cycling may simply be a regular, normal and unspectacular way of using a road seems inconceivable to both sides. Consequently, there is little education regarding the real dangers and proper mitigation.
You might be interested in »How to Not Get Hit by Cars« at BicycleSafe.com, by the way.
That’s very interesting, Sven. I had always assumed bikes were better integrated into the European transportation system. Maybe that’s only true in some countries.
BicycleSafe.com is by Michael Bluejay, based right here in Austin, Texas.
Well, from a formal point of view you are right, there is more infrastructure. However, more often than not it seems that the primary purpose of such infrastructure is to keep the main pavement clear of cyclists. Many people’s favorite concept here is separation, which often results in inferior solutions next to a real road and unnecessary conflicts at crossings. Separation feels safer, though, so many cyclists appreciate it. On the other hand, in 2007 a petition to the Bundestag was signed by more than 16,000 people, requesting that mandatory use of side paths and bike lanes be abolished.