Questions tagged [traffic]
Questions referring to a cyclist's interactions with other vehicles, mainly motorized ones.
89
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Where should I stop in this intersection when turning left?
In the pictured intersection the two traffic lights on the right are often green, while the lights for the two left turning lanes are still red. What should I do as a cyclist if I want to turn left?
...
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5
answers
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Training for driving on the left in the UK
In contrast to the rest of Europe, the UK has a drive on the left policy. It is not easy to follow the rules, coming from Europe. Is there a written or in person training for this?
I have found this:
...
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19
votes
10
answers
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Should cyclists on a bike path separated from the road overtake each other on the right or on the left?
I am going to assume right side traffic for this question. Switch all the left and right if you are in the UK. If you are cycling on a road with or without a designated bicycle lane you should stick ...
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3
votes
1
answer
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Idaho Stop: Should I stop at a stop sign when an oncoming vehicle has a stop sign too?
In an "Idaho Stop" context, what is the best thing to do for a cyclist approaching a 4-way stop at the same time as a vehicle approaching from another direction? Should the cyclist
Proceed ...
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2
votes
2
answers
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Ride on rightmost lane that goes straight or right yield to drivers?
Sometimes I ride in the middle of a right most lane that can go either straight or right. Sometimes I get honked at red light cause drivers want me to move so they can pass me and make right turn. ...
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12
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7
answers
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Why signal stop with your left hand in the US?
Why are cyclists in the US expected (or required) to signal "Stop" with the palm of their left hand?
If I'm stopping or slowing down, I'm using my front brake. The brake operated by my left ...
- 131
3
votes
1
answer
257
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Can I ride through unoccupied carpark spaces?
I got a note from the passing driver for a slow driving over the yellow marked rectangle that means a car is allowed to be parked there. The place is more like a yard but it is also on a bicycle path. ...
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How to handle motorists' dangerous behaviour with an impassable group?
I rode in a Velowagen (1) with over 300 cyclists on the national bike route in Switzerland, while on a narrow countryside road a few cars began piling behind us and one of them started trying to pass ...
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3
votes
1
answer
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Are high racers safer due to enhanced visibility compared to low racers or classic recumbents?
Naively, I would expect that a high racer is safer in traffic than a low racer. With the rider higher up, she or he should be more visible compared to being closer to the ground. Considering that ...
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9
votes
3
answers
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Strategies against getting blinded by oncoming cars
When I ride on a bike path alongside an unlit road in the dark, I find myself blinded by the lights of oncoming cars, even when their lights are dimmed. This is even more true if the bike path is on ...
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How to pass a bicycle while driving a car
I understand this is more of a driving question, but I'm curious to know the answer from the bicycling community and perhaps gain insight into how to act both as a bicyclist and driver.
The other day ...
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1
vote
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answer
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Best rear view mirror to purchase? [duplicate]
I have seen a lot of different types of Rear View mirrors. Ideas on which mounting/type is most used and why? ie: sunglass frame mounted, helmet mounting, handle bar mounting, or others. I ride both ...
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3
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How to read the traffic light at this German intersection?
There is an intersection in my city in Germany where the lights and signs puzzle me.
(click through for a larger image)
I usually want to turn left there. What I suppose should be relevant for me ...
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1
vote
3
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How should I approach safe cycling? [closed]
I have interest in biking to and from work, but have heard some horror stories from cyclists at work.
Short of asking coworkers on safe cycling practices, where should I go for a more authoritative ...
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4
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3
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bike lane interuptions
In a stretch of my commute I have a nice looking bike lane that unfortunately currently has a couple unusable spots. I'm going about 20mph which is around half traffic speed.
So far I have tried two ...
user30065
0
votes
2
answers
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I generally commute along four-lane 30 mph [50 km/h] main streets. Is this wise? [closed]
crasic's view
Elsewhere, crasic writes:
The Most Direct Route is Not Always the Best
... Your driving commute route is usually a horrible bicycling commute route. I purposefully avoid big ...
3
votes
1
answer
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I read that "training is needed" before your voice can replace a horn. Why might this be?
In a discussion about very-loud bicycle horns, alex wrote that he uses his voice. He added that it works well and is always ready to use.
And then he added:
"And, yes, training is needed."
If I ...
8
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1
answer
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Do bikes with carbon frame get detected by induction loops?
Induction loops in my experience usually manage to detect bicycles with steel and aluminium frames. Do carbon frames also get detected? I'm wondering if a possible inability to trigger induction loops ...
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7
votes
3
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How to cross major road 3 way intersection
I'm curious about the best way to get across this intersection. I will be traveling north (top of the picture is north), and want to turn left at this light. Path indicated by red arrows. As can be ...
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4
votes
1
answer
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How cities came to decision to allow bicycles and/or motorcycles to enter bus lanes?
Some cities debate about letting 2-wheel wehicles (bicycles or motorcycles) enter bus lanes. Why should (or not) we let them enter? When it is ok to let them use bus lanes? What factors should be ...
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12
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Anxious about riding in traffic after 20 year absence from cycling
I have got back to cycling after 20 years and whilst I can ride easily where there is no traffic, I am struggling with the following:
I am anxious and struggle to maintain balance in traffic when ...
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9
votes
3
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Which traffic light do I have to follow?
There is one situation in Bonn, Germany, where the buses have their own lane (right one) and the cars are separate (left lane). The cars have a regular traffic light (red, yellow, green) and the buses ...
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What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
I was reading this question which seemed a totally weird thing to worry about and sparked my question.
I've always disregarded stop signs, lights, crossings and waving policemen as basically ...
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answers
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Is cycling in the Netherlands without a helmet safer than cycling with a helmet in the USA?
We moved to Netherlands and no one seems to wear a helmet. My teenage child did have a helmet but said she lost it. When my wife wanted buy her a new helmet, my daughter said she will refuse to wear ...
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answers
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views
How to indicate you are going straight?
I live in a country where people drives on the right.
Say I am riding my bike like this:
- main road
vvvv
vvvv - narrow path
vvvv vv
\ \ | |
\ \ |* | &...
- 413
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2
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Places with car roads turned into bike roads [closed]
What can we do to minimize car usage and petroleum and other car energy consumption? I was thinking designating some car lanes as bike-only lanes could work in some places, or even having an hour ...
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6
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What to do when a car turns into a side road (etiquette)?
If a car is turning right onto a side road and not an intersection, what must I do?
Perhaps I am 25 feet/7.5 meters (and another cyclist just passed the car that's turning right), should I
A) Try ...
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8
votes
1
answer
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What is the best time to cycle during the day (traffic)?
I started cycling a year ago and I have a favourite route for my time trial training since it is very hilly. However, I cycle on a major road (just outside town) and thus I like to cycle when it is ...
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In city traffic, is sitting more upright safer than more aero positions?
I like the handlebar height lower than the average road bikes I see in my city. Am wondering if I am putting myself in more risk.
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Traffic lights: double red
I have seen several times bike traffic lights like these:
This one is from Vienna, Austria. One can also find them in Bordeaux, France and in Paris if I remember well.
What purpose do these serve ? ...
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6
votes
4
answers
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What bicycle safe anti-car road spikes exist?
I am curious if there is a technology that allows bicycles to run over it, but will destroy car tires.
From my understanding, usually poles like this are placed on trails to prevent vehicles from ...
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5
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Is my stopping dangerous when Idaho Stop is de facto but not legal?
I've been bike commuting in the East Bay Area of California (5mi/day, plus public transport) for a few weeks now.
I recently attended an in-class safety course, where I learned the fine for not ...
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5
votes
6
answers
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Dealing with homicidal drivers [duplicate]
I do a 35km return commute into a big city. Almost daily, someone tries to run me over.
Just in the past month I've experienced the following:
I filter to the front of the traffic, wait at the ...
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4
votes
2
answers
288
views
Is there a way to rest at an intersection without (partially) dismounting the bike? [duplicate]
I have seen this done, and it probably has a name or another way of describing it that I have not thought of, but I cannot find information about it on the internet.
When stopped at an intersection, ...
3
votes
1
answer
336
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How should I configure my tail-lights?
I currently own a Cygolite Hotshot which I use with a rack mount in flashing mode. I also have a PDW The red planet which I keep on steady burn.
I wanted something brighter than TRP so I ordered a ...
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16
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Best ways to avoid getting hit by cars?
When riding through city traffic, what are the best ways to increase the chance you are seen, given a bit of space, and are not touched by any vehicles?
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How to deal with motorist's road rage (after prevention has failed)
A few weeks ago I had my first experience where I really worried for my well-being at the hands of an angry motorist-- so, what can a cyclist do when being threatened and followed by a motorist?
...
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Is 32km possible to ride with my body condition? [closed]
My work place is 16km away from my home and the route I am traveling has traffic round the clock.
I am planning to get a Kross K- 40 26T Multi Speed Bicycle to travel but I weigh 80kg and I am not ...
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4
answers
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What is the best way to approach train tracks?
I commute on my bike through an industrial area and cross many train tracks. They very in degrees: most are perpendicular to the road, but some have a very low angle.
This question is two part:
What ...
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4
votes
2
answers
2k
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How to turn right in Japan
In Japan, how are bicycles supposed to turn right?
Apparently, new rules have been decided in 2015, and there is a specific way to turn to the right at a crossroad, depending whether there are ...
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5
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Road positioning when stopping at an intersection with stationary traffic
When the light is red and there are cars in a line. Since bicycles ride on the very right do we go ahead to the stop light or stay behind the cars? I live in British Columbia, Canada.
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can you use a cycle path to bypass red lights?
Okay, so this is my issue. On my commute home there is a spot where there is a light straight ahead, before the white line the cycle lane mergers with the path on the left. Does this mean i can ...
0
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2
answers
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Bicycles riding in pedestrian crosswalks -- Houston
Should cyclists ride (not walk) their bike through a pedestrian walkway at an intersection? This may vary by municipality, so I am specifically interested in Houston, although I would be curious ...
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11
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6
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Bike lights with beam cut-off to avoid dazzling drivers?
Are there any bike headlights available that have a cut-off similar to a car's low beams, designed to avoid glare for other drivers? I am using the Light in Motion Urban 400 and while it's plenty ...
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1
answer
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Safest position to ride on roads with cars
What is a hard and fast rule on where to ride within a lane, if one exists at all?
I've heard people say that you should ride as far over as you can while avoiding drains, potholes, small children ...
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votes
6
answers
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Bicycling 36 km per day in city traffic is feasible?
I am planning (still in planning phase since last 1 month :( ) to use bicycle as my commute to and from office.
My office is around 18 km away from my home. Almost half the road will be full of ...
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votes
17
answers
10k
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How to get over anger at inconsiderate drivers
Fortunately, I have very few strongly negative interactions with cars (most people generally seem to respect the way I ride), but those that do stick with me for a while.
The scenario is almost ...
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10
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6
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Is it rude to take the lane, then filter when encountering congestion?
In the city I live in, there's a lot of two lane roads.
I feel much more comfortable taking the lane, as to not have a car come up from behind and clip me while overtaking.
However, when I ...
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3
answers
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Is it possible to predict when roads will have less traffic?
I'm planning a two day trip down the UK country roads. I'd like to time and plan my route so that I'll have a pleasant ride. Is it possible to tell which days of the week would see the least traffic? ...
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12
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7
answers
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Are there sirens/horns that are like a car horn?
I am going to start commuting on my bike, but I often use busy roads that are not cycle friendly and cyclists are not often noticed. I need a horn to be noticed. (and to vent my anger without losing ...
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