Dan's Papers - June 27, 2008 - Wheelin' and Dealin'

This past weekend I noticed many cyclists cruising up and down our back roads. As much as it was nice to see people getting out in the sunny weather and enjoying a ride through the countryside, I became nervous every time I neared a bike. This was especially so around blind curves and bends where there were no shoulders to the road. It was even more nerve wracking when children were involved. Clearly, I didn't want to spend my entire drive stuck behind two people cycling abreast, but the opportunities to pass them were few and far between. When I'd pull to my left and begin to accelerate, an oncoming car would almost always appear and I'd be forced to pull back behind the bikes. The riders didn't acknowledge that anything had happened and after my third attempt failed, I gave a honk, one of the cyclists looked back, and then motioned the other to pull over to the side of the road. If only dealing with deer was that easy.

Plain and simple, motorists and cyclists have to share the road. Whether weekend tourists or Tour de France trainees, the rules of the road are the same. Clearly, motorists have their part in this equation, but this article predominantly deals with safety precautions for those on two wheels.

Make yourself visible. Bright or neon clothing works great. Avoid wearing baggy pants that can get caught in the gears and always wear a helmet. As much fun as it may be to ride with headphones on, this can be dangerous. If you can't hear a car approach or its horn, you may be at risk.

Protect your bike from disrepair. Shabby chic doesn't work for a set of wheels. Replace worn brake pads, tires and cables. Check bolts and spokes to make sure everything is in top condition, otherwise you may end up stranded on the side of the road, or worse.

Keep your eyes on the road in front of you. Some riders ride with their heads down, gazing only a foot of two in front of the bike. This limits your ability to observe and process what's going on in the distance, including potential dangers that otherwise could be easily avoided.

As a cyclist, you have the right of way. It sounds great, like a get out of jail free card, but try explaining your right of way to the front grill of a two-ton SUV. It doesn't work. It's up to you to know when to relinquish your right to save your life and it's also important to know when to impose your right.

If a car approaches from behind on a long stretch of straight road, the driver should be able to pass you without reasonable difficulty. But along the curvy back streets, it's a little more difficult and puts everyone at risk. As a cyclist, you have to acknowledge that the motorist may try to pass you, even around a blind curve. This not only makes things dangerous for you, but also for the driver of the car, and potentially anyone driving in the opposite direction. If you notice the situation early enough you can prevent it.

First, when approaching the curve look back over your left shoulder, if there is a car you'll see it and the driver will see that you have acknowledged that he's behind you. Next, stick your left arm out at a 45-degree downward angle. This is meant to warn the motorist to stay back. Keep you arm out long enough for the car to see that it's an intended motion. Look back over your left shoulder again to make sure you have time and space, and then move into the center of the lane. Maintain your position, making the driver realize that there's no way for him to pass you. Once you get around the dangerous curve and it's safe, head back to the right side of the road and motion the driver along. It's a simple way of maintaining safety on the road and preventing the automobile driver from risking your life and the life of others on the road.

There are many other tips and tricks to riding safely on the East End. If motorists and cyclists adhere to the rules and respect each other, this summer should lend itself to some truly beautiful days of biking. We all need to share the road.