The question of bikes...?

As I was riding home from work today on my bike, I decided to take the Massachusetts street route. Not a bad idea as there is always something going on, and other cyclists to blow past, not to mention cars. Through years of experience, I have always felt comfortable weaving in and out of slow moving motor vehicles, knowing that there was always enough space on the left side to feel safe. I always ride down the middle of mass, and don't think twice about it.

A driver in a truck decided it was his place to ask me "do you really feel safe doing that?"

My answer-yes. I do. I feel alot safer riding down the middle of massachusetts street than on the right side. Here's why- You, Mr., Ms., or Mrs. Motorist, are more than likely paying less attention to the road than I am. You are more likely to make a right turn without seeing me (instant side of car smackage) back out of a parking space without seeing me (run me over) or blow past me on the right side. I choose to ride in the middle of the street to avoid these dangerous parking accidents, and to feel comfortable passing vehicles on the left (which is what we're supposed to do right?). Riding in the middle makes me more visible to you, since I am right in front of you, and possibly slowing you down (speed limit is 20 mph remember? I can ride that fast easily).

This raises the question of whether or not riding down the middle of the street is always safer than riding on the right side. Dicey question, and even more difficult to answer. It really depends on several factors; such as traffic levels, traffic speed, on street parking, traffic patterns, the existence of fixed route public transit service, etc. I can tell you that in faster traffic, across multiple lanes, it is NOT safer to ride in the middle. Please keep right to minimize the obstruction to faster moving vehicles. However, in dense, slow moving traffic where buses picking up and dropping off passengers are present, center bike lanes or riding down the middle makes more sense. Cyclists are not interfering with bus operations, are more visible to traffic and are less likely to get hit by cars making right turns into parking spots. A plan such as this was even proposed for bike lanes on Jayhawk Boulevard. Student Senate- are you listening? We made this promise years ago. Let's make it happen.

There is a downside, vehicles making left turns are at risk to not see you. Again, similar to riding on the right side of the road in a slow traffic situation. If you are ever in a center riding position, never pass cars at intersections. You would never pass cars in an intersection in your personal vehicle, so you should never do it on your bike either.

And as always, wear a helmet.

Be Safe,
Sam