Cyclists, especially those new to the way of life, are often afraid to obstruct traffic even when it is their right. As an example the mayor of London was nearly killed while cycling to scout locations for London bike routes. Moving too fast for the street the truck boxed in the cyclists when they should have, according to Missouri law, been riding two abreast.
It may be a bit unnerving to force a car to slow down, but it is your right and may save your life. Sometimes sharing the road means taking it, especially in intersections. Hold your place in traffic just like you are a car. Don’t slide up the edge of the road between the cars and curb, want an F-150 to make right turn over you? You are vehicle and have the law on your side, take the road and don’t be afraid to do it.
*Don’t ride on major roads in town that have a speed limit greater than 35MPH. It’s legal, but not a good idea unless you REALLY know what you are doing. And if that is the case you won’t be on those roads anyway ; )
Posted by thom, July 14th, 2010
