Sunday, November 13, 2011

5 Things Cyclists Could Do For The Motorists

After I presented my wish-list to the motorists, I felt it's my duty to keep the cyclists side of bargain while helping each other on the road.  Even though I am a minnow to write this post because of the fact that I am just a commuter, far away from the trails where the fun and challenge are at different levels. But still I would like to share my experience, it may help others and I expect riders to point out if I am wrong or incomplete in some parts. It may improve my riding experience too. So here I go:

Glossary:
RHDS: Right Hand Driving System.
LHDS: Left Hand Driving System.

1. What part of the road is mine? 
While sharing the road with other vehicles, try avoiding the fast moving traffic and drive in extreme left (extreme right in the RHDS) lane. Be near to the side but do not drive on the edge of the road. This is because of the simple fact that if someone is coming from behind he will always expect you to move towards edge of the road and many times it's necessary to do so. So prepare in advance and drive somewhat comfortable distance from the edge so as later you can still have sufficient strip of road for yourself. Always avoid driving in the right lane (or left lane in RHDS). 

2. Be seen, be safe
This is by far a cyclist’s responsibility. At crossings, at overtakes, at night and otherwise and it is not a tough a work to be seen on the road. 
  • Whenever crossing the road use hand signals. Give the hand signals prominently and use eye contacts to be sure. Personally I am a fan of eye contacts in Indian roads. 
  • Listen to the traffic and if you think someone is coming from behind, or blowing horn from behind don't hesitate to look back and confirm their position. Ask them to wait if you think it is necessary. Giving signal the vehicles clears a lot of confusions and saves the trouble of honking. 
  • Give side often.
  • Wearing bright clothes in the night is another subtle way.  Blippers can be helpful in the night. I prefer to go without them but they can be useful if it's very dark in the route. 
  • Even cycling helmets also are pretty useful psychological tools for garnering attention of the motorists in the Indian roads.


3. Understand motorists; try being one yourself once in a while
Next time you drive a car or motorcycle keep in a vigil of what you would expect from the cyclists on the road. For example when I was driving my motorcycle a cyclist took a sharp right (in LHDS). Though it was not of dangerous sort and he was in his limits but it created a short moment of uncertainty. As a cyclist help avoid such moments on the road. Sharp movement towards the sides is a strict no no and yeah keep your hands sturdy and no zigging-zagging on the road. Sometimes even a small side movement creates confusion for the fast moving traffic. And yeah lest I miss, no stylo-stunts in the traffic, save them for the backyard or an empty ground.

4. Follow the traffic rules
Even if you are cycling to save the world, you must follow the traffic rules doing so. Breaking the traffic rules can be a source of frustration for other drivers. And lest I miss isn't it "Better late than never"?

5. Share the fun
On the lighter note, I know most of the cyclists enjoy their ride. So why not share the fun. I like to be talkative on the road whenever I get a chance, say while standing at a traffic signal or at parking. Give a smile at times. Sometimes people enquire and comment about the cycles answer with passion and say thank you. If you are one of those witty once you can use witty one liner sometimes. You never know when a lighter moment makes a day for someone. It surely helps people keep notice of cyclists. 

So this is my bit. Hoping for more insights from expert riders and from motorists as well.

Related Posts:
9 Things You Could Do To Promote Cycling Being A Motorist

Friday, November 04, 2011

9 Things You Could Do To Promote Cycling Being A Motorist

Lets live up the fact. In most parts of the world and in many roads cyclists and motorists share the same road and will continue to do the same for a significant time to come. Many of us fit into both the categories of cyclists and motorists. If we learn to share roads we all will be better off. It will help not only in making the roads safer for both cyclists and motorists but will also be a key point in promoting cycling for the benefit of community and individuals. There are a few simple practices motorists can adopt for immediate benefit of cyclists.


1. Horn Not Okay Please!!!
Unless necessary avoiding honking is a good practice in general. But for cyclists motor horns are more painful as they are not covered inside a car and unlike motorbike helmets cycle helmets generally do not cover ears of the drivers and believe me horns from near distance are bitter reality for a cyclist.

2. Pollution Under Control
If your car or motorbike or any vehicle is not tested for that, please go and get it tested today. Helps a cyclist keeping his cool. And of course helps walkers, other drivers and environment too.

3. Switch-off Your Vehicle if You are Stopping at Red Signals
Signal stoppages many times serve cyclists as a welcome break. If you are going to stop at a signal for a decent amount of time switching-off engine could get you a peaceful silent thanks from a cyclist.

4. Anticipate Cyclists
Cyclists sometimes may not be visible or audible at turns or at night. Please anticipate them as you anticipate cars or other vehicles. This will keep you safe from making sudden decisions and will make roads safer for cyclists.

5. Get the Hang of Communication with Cyclists
They use the mighty hand signals and quick eye contacts are great confidence boosters at crossing. For me when I am riding, hand signals are musts and I love eye contacts. It is more human and shows that driver is as alert as he should be.

6. Give Enough Room
Please give room for the cyclists, drive farther from them. Please wait for a while if you can. Believe me there is no harm in waiting. This is a very important aspect where the traffic is more and requires greater understanding from the motorists. One hundred thanks in advance for this one.

7. Respect the Cycle Lanes
Remember the cycle lanes at the turns. A cyclists may be going straight when you are taking a turn. Also save the cycle lanes existence by not using them as parking ways or not using them as quick shortcut. While this usually may not be a practice in your area but some places it's a sad thing which happens. Recently a cycle path was closed down in Mumbai because people started using it for parking. Here.

8. Understand, Respect, Interact:
Please understand why cyclists are cycling. The reason can be traffic, environment, economic or some other. Whatever be the reason, cyclists are also equal users of road. Try to interact with them whenever necessary. And yeah, cyclists generally enjoy there rides, giving a smile, making a friendly gestures adds a lot more bliss in there ride and a smile in return will lift your mood up too.

9. Bike Up!!!
And get a million thanks from all the bikers readily. Nothing helps a cyclist more then one less automobile on the road. If you can not bike always you can try replacing short, near home trips for starters or may be take cycle for your commute once a week. If you need reasons you can see the links in the end.

I would like to hear from other cyclists about what contains their wishlist on the road.

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