Your bike lights should be day-rated, meaning their light output suffices to promote visibility in the sun. While both front and back lights are required by law when biking at night, they’re crucial in the daytime too. And of course, if the bike lane looks safe, that’s a great option too.Īnother easy way to make sure cars are paying attention to you is to use bike lights. I’ve found that I am the safest riding in the right third of the road so that a car has to consciously move over to pass me, but there is still enough room for them to do so. Especially in high-traffic areas like Fenway-Longwood, drivers can get pretty impatient. That doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea, though. Image by Emily Ray.Īs a biker, you are legally entitled to the full lane of any road at any time, even if there is a bike lane. Biking with your phone out is still distracted driving ––if you need directions, pull over or try using a cue sheet ! Do your best to never yell at cars, though, even if they yell at you. In practice, this means paying attention to traffic lights and stop signs, signally your turns, and most importantly, staying off your phone. The easiest way for Boston drivers to predict how you will move on your bike is by following the same laws they do. And always call “on your left” when you’re passing another cyclist on the road or bike trail! If you are riding with other people, feel free to add additional signals to make sure you’re all on the same page. There are plenty of trails near Simmons, but my favorites are Paul Dudley White and Boston City View. Taking a hand off of your handlebars can be scary the first few times you do it, so I practiced my signals on bike trails before hitting the road. The three primary signals, left turn, right turn, and stopping, are a great start. Your primary mode of communication between you, cars, and fellow riders on the road is your use of hand signals. The two best types of helmets on the market right now are MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) and WaveCel ––they can get pretty pricey, but not nearly as expensive as hospital bills. This may seem like a no-brainer, but I can tell you both from my daily commute to Simmons and from the fellow Trans-Am riders I met this summer that it is not. These seven lessons and safety tips have made me a much better city biker back in Boston. During the hundreds of hours and thousands of miles I spent on my bike, I found there were a handful of things that helped me stay safe and confident on the road, no matter what city or town I was passing through. This past summer, I biked across the country for affordable housing, primarily on the Trans-Am bike route.
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