2015 Cycling Season Open: Road Etiquette for Cyclists and Drivers
Warm, rain-free weather finally arrived at the end of April 2015 – and right on a Saturday, no less! You could hardly ask for a better day for the first proper ride of spring.
Bike ready for the first ride – the 2015 cycling season is officially open
Bergamont, it is your time :-)
While out riding that day, a catchy Russian cycling track by Surganova i Orkestr (“Velosiped”) came to mind. And here is a handy infographic on why regular rides on two wheels pay off for your health:
How cycling helps your heart, muscles, sleep, and mood
A Crash on an Empty Road and Tips for Cyclists
Just behind me on that ride, two cyclists managed to clip each other and go down: an empty three-lane road in one direction, smooth asphalt with zero potholes, and an easy cruising pace – yet one still ran straight into the other. Moments like that are a good reminder that focus matters even when traffic is light:
- Sidewalk speed – do not weave at high speed among pedestrians.
- Traffic lights – never jump red lights at busy intersections.
- Working brakes – test them before rolling out, not mid-descent.
- Hands on the bars – avoid riding no-handed along active roads.
- Drafting large vehicles – never tailgate buses or trucks at speed: if the driver brakes hard, you put yourself in danger and leave them no time to react.
- Lights after dark – always run a front headlight and rear taillight at dusk, though skip blinding strobe mode on shared sidewalks.
A Friendly Request to Drivers
Road safety works both ways, and a few simple habits behind the wheel make city streets far smoother for everyone:
- Thoughtful parking – pull close to the curb without blocking turns or bus bays.
- Side-street merges – do not nose half a car length out into the lane while waiting for a gap.
- Public transit – pull all the way into bus bays instead of stopping in the travel lane or double-parking, which forces cyclists out into fast lanes or boarding passengers.
- Urban speeds – especially for delivery trucks rushing down city streets with little room to stop.
On a broader wishlist note, seeing more city transit shift toward electric drivetrains for cleaner air would be great – even if it still feels a bit idealistic for now.
At the end of the day, staying alert and showing mutual respect keeps everyone safe on the road. Seeing plenty of riders out enjoying the sunshine that Saturday made the ride even better :-) I think I will keep posting a short photo note whenever each year’s cycling season begins.