behind, and a sense that looking at on-coming traffic will prevent
crashes. In reality, bicyclists are rarely hit from behind.
The biggest danger of riding the wrong way is at intersections: you
may not be seen by drivers entering, crossing or leaving the roadway.
They are expecting traffic coming from the other direction, not a
wrong-way cyclist (see figure on previous page).
Another danger of wrong-way riding is the speed of cars coming at you:
•
If you’re riding the wrong way at 15 MPH, then a car going 35 MPH
is coming towards you at 50 MPH, leaving little reaction time.
•
If you are riding the right way at 15 MPH, and a car gaining on
you is going 35 MPH, then the difference is only 20 MPH, giving
the driver more time to react.
You also risk a head-on collision with cyclists riding in the proper
direction.
The problem is made worse when riding the wrong way on one-way
streets: you can’t see signs and traffic signals.
A FEW MORE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Railroad tracks
Cross railroad tracks carefully. Watch
for uneven pavement and grooves that
could catch a wheel. Keep control of your
bicycle. One way is to rise up from your
saddle and bend your arms and legs so
your body acts like a shock absorber.
If the tracks cross the road at a sharp
angle, change your course so you cross
them at closer to a right angle. But
avoid swerving suddenly; this can cause
you to fall or to veer into traffic.
Traffic signals
Many traffic signals are triggered by electrically charged wires buried
under the pavement. When a vehicle goes over them, the metal
disrupts the current, which sends a signal to a traffic light control box.
A computer directs the signal to change at the appropriate time.
13
Crossing railroad tracks
