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How to ride your bicycle in Richmond
12/14/2016 9:34 AM by John M
I’ve been riding a bicycle in Richmond for more than 25 years. During that time I’ve had 2 accidents: I got doored on Lombardy 2 weeks after I moved to the Fan, and I crashed into that brick wall along Oregon Hill one night when I was beyond tipsy. Both of these were my fault, hurt pretty bad, and were a long time ago.
It is very possible to ride safely in the city. I’ve learned a few things along the way that I’d like to share. Please feel free to tack on anything else to think about.
- Stop at stop lights.
- Have lights on your bike at night. The brighter, the better.
- Be predictable. It helps other cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers to be around you.
- Assume that no one sees you. It’ll save your ass one day when that car pulls out in front of you.
- Ride on the road and with traffic.
- Slowdown on the sidewalk. If you’re riding on the sidewalk (which is your legal right), be super aware of curb cuts, know that turning cars can not see you and do not expect you to be there, and give pedestrians the clear right-of-way.
- Know when you shouldn’t be riding. I’m not sure how a DUI works on a bike, but whatever that is, know your practical limit.
A version of “How to ride your bicycle in Richmond” was first published on Fan of the Fan in August 2013.
TAGGED: bicycles
All good points, especially assuming that no one can see you. I’ve even heard it more aggressively stated as “Assume they are trying to kill you.”
stop or at least slow down at stop signs. I’m all for the idaho stop, but you aren’t doing anyone any favors flying through stop signs.
I caved and spent like $65 on a pair of nice lights. The difference they make is huge. I see people with super small/dim/cheap lights now and I realize it was barely even worth it to have them.
@3 Glad you now have lights. The other day I was driving (in a car, sorry) down Main St. heading west and saw not one but three bikes with no lights at all, nearly invisible, and it was pushing 5 p.m., nearly dark. I don’t get why anyone would ride like that, I could barely see them and am not sure other drivers noticed them at all.
It would be nice if people on bikes would stop blowing through stop signs/stop lights, and get onto the sidewalks when they are puffing at 5 mph uphill. Ah… a girl can dream, can’t she?
WarGibFA: Cyclists belong in the road, where they are far safer. I’m sorry that you feel impatient when behind us on a hill. For most of us, biking is a way to get from A to B; we don’t think we’re superhuman athletes. Next time you are approaching a cyclist who isn’t riding as fast as you’d like, I suggest slowing down, looking ahead, and then carefully passing them with 3-feet between you. It’s safer for us and for you!
A good list. I would add that regular riders have the burden of acting as ambassadors for all of cycling in order to combat sterotyped thinking like @5. The “that’s not fair” or “I’m inconvenienced” attitude of motorists is equally part of the problem. Cyclists would love it if car drivers used their turn signals, put down their phones, and stopped bullying pedestrians and non-motorists at crosswalks – but hey, that’s not going to happen any time soon.
League Certified Instructors (LCI) are certified by the League of American Bicyclists in safe bicycling. There are a few of us who teach Smart Cycling and other safe bicycling courses in the area. I would encourage anyone who is interested (bicyclists AND non-bicyclists alike) to find out about the best practices for safe bicycling by taking a look at the LAB website. You can also find out about courses. http://www.bikeleague.org/ridesmart
As much as you can, try to stick to roads with marked bike lanes. Some roads in Richmond are just to narrow for cars and bikes.
Also, cyclist should be considerate towards car drivers and vice versa. Right now, it often feels like bikes vs cars, but we need to work together.
I would add “Signal your turns”. Just stick out the arm in the direction you are turning.
Don’t do that bent left arm thing to signal turning right, that makes no sense. Just stick out your right arm.
Good notes!
While accending a hill a cyclist will go far slower than the posted speed limit. In this case the rider should get as far right as possible, while maintaining their safety.
Sometimes hopping on the sidewalk is the worst uphill, all the moumentum is lost on the bumps.
Good list. Also, wear a helmet. Your brain is more important than your hair.
When can we expect the “How to drive a car in Richmond” article? Based on the number of crashes and deaths motorists are causing it would be a real public service to explain the basics.
Someone else would have to do that, I’m terrible in a car 🙂
I’m fairly certain that having front and rear lights at night is mandatory and RPD can ticket you if you do not have them, or do not have them turned on, after dark. DUI on bike is the same as DUI in a car – it’s considered a moving vehicle.
As the City Bike/Ped Coordinator let me clear up some myths:
Lights – front WHITE required, rear RED light and reflector required on streets posted 35+. You can use only a red rear reflector on streets with a posted limit below 35. But please don’t. It may be legal, but it isn’t smart. Lights are cheap these days. Be seen. And I emphasized the colors because I often see people using the wrong colors which is confusing to a motorist approaching you. It appears like a bicyclist is riding against traffic if you have the wrong color lights.
DUI – Ms. Sanders is incorrect. State code specifically states that a DUI is only applicable for operators of motorized vehicles. However, you can still be cited for other infractions. Better to bike than drive, but one needs to know when to call Uber/taxi, use a bus, or find the couch.
Sidewalks – one must announce/signal when passing a pedestrian, as well as yielding. Be courteous folks.