Sorry, not to keep it short, I think it’s a great idea for a thread and I just got carried away typing.
I take safe riding very seriously. I’ve ridden in San Francisco for 13-14 years with a few close calls but no major mishaps with cars. Knock on wood. Some tips, then:
Never follow tall vehicles too closely or ride next to them for very long.
Speed up or slow down to stay out of blind spots.
Have fun with a quick pace, but always take it easy and be cautious when the road/your path is blind.
Speed up or slow down to stay out of blind spots.
Don't let negative emotions take control of your riding.
Know that sometimes (ok, often) it IS safer to ride a bit more aggressively.
Know that same aggressive riding can still look "courteous" and not squidly.
Speed up or slow down to stay out of blind spots.
Scan always and predict what drivers will do:
see someone on a phone or, say, a couple engaged in a conversation or soccer mom taming kids, know they're driving distracted;
see someone come up fast in the lane next to you or tail-gating a car next to you, know that they're likely to cut you off if they can;
see someone driving funky, know that they'll DO something funky (unsure movements from scared, unsure drivers);
see one fast and furious wannabe fly by you on the highway, know that there may be others, perhaps an impromptu race in the middle of which you suddenly find yourself
Speed up or slow down to stay out of blind spots.
Always be cautious at intersections.
Always look ahead and don't panic at the unusual (in the last three months, I've avoided two spun out, perpendicular to the flow of traffic, vehicles by doing this).
Take it a little easy on roads you don't know well.
Try to keep space cushions.
In twisty mountain areas where joggers, hikers or bicyclists park—know that they’re naturally drugged, full of endorphins and will pull out without looking.
Know that truck drivers don’t always tie their shit down very well, avoid them.
On the freeway, I like to ride in the “fast lane” because I have to worry only about cars to one side of me and I know that there’s “run off” room to the other.
In the City know that: people will make U-turns in areas that are blind to you, cabs and busses often drive worse than anyone else and pedestrians will walk or jump out when they feel like it – if you can’t stop or slow down - honk and let ‘em know you’re coming.
Did I say "Speed up or slow down to stay out of blind spots"?
on the thread, I hope to get countless more advice from all the knowledgeable riders we have on the board. I always find it useful to go over these threads every once and a while as a refresher. I always catch myself saying "oh yeah" when looking these over.
