If you think this bicycle thing is not for you, fine. But if you are willing to try cycling, one day, you will arrive at your destination more willing and happy. The endorphin released by exercise will make you have a better day at work.
Just because you haven't stressed about waiting inside the car (or the bus) for that signal that opened and closed three times, you will already feel a huge difference. It will burn those fat that insist on staying there, no matter how much you pray to São Regime. It will improve your breathing capacity, circulation, and you will be less at risk of heart attack. It will save money and will probably even arrive faster.
If you are considering using the bike, or if you already use it but still don’t feel safe, Vá de Bike has a series of articles to show that using the bike on the streets can be safe and enjoyable, even in big cities (see box opposite).
On this page there are recommendations on how to behave in traffic. Yes, I know that you are already grown up and know how to cross the street, but that is not it: I want to help you not take unnecessary risks and undo the idea that pedaling with cars is crazy. It is feasible, yes, just take some precautions.
In order to have reaction time and to safely dodge you, drivers need to see you. And at night, whoever is on a bicycle is even less seen by whoever is driving. Reflectors, which the law requires to come with bicycles , are of little help. Always use white light in the front and red light in the back, so that drivers know quickly whether you are coming or going.
The light must be flashing, as the light intensity of the bicycle lanterns is not sufficient to stand out safely when lit in uninterrupted mode. The flashing light attracts the driver's attention much more - and that is exactly the goal.
Despite this, we recommend its use, especially for those just starting out, as the ability to balance yourself in adverse situations comes with time and practice. Of course, a helmet decreases the chance of head trauma, just as a knee brace would decrease the chance of hurting your knees (and this for both cyclists and pedestrians who walk on poorly maintained sidewalks). But keep in mind that it will not protect you from cars, only from yourself. Ride carefully and carefully, so you don't have to put it to the test. And it's important: don't bully anyone who prefers not to use it.
A pedestrian crossing the street only looks to the side where the cars come from. A car that will enter a street, or leave a garage or parking space, too. They don't expect to find a bicycle coming in the opposite direction. A car making a right turn also does not expect a bicycle in the opposite direction, especially on the inside of the turn. A driver who has parked and is going to open the door will only look in the rearview mirror to see if he can open it, with no reason to look ahead.
The speed at which you approach a car is much higher if you are going against the grain, as it is the sum of the speeds of the two vehicles. If you are at 20 km / h and the car is 40 km, you will be approaching it at a relative speed of 60 km / h. The driver will have much less time to react to your presence and dodge you, in addition to the fact that a collision at this speed does a lot of damage. If in this same example you are in the same direction as the car, the relative speed between both will be only 20 km / h: the driver will have more time to deviate and the chance of collision will decrease a lot. And, in a possible collision, the damage will be less.
Therefore, stay at a distance that is sufficient that a door opening does not knock you down. Keep at least one meter of the cars stopped, trying to imagine how far an open door would go. Preferably, occupy the next track . It is not always possible to perceive a person inside a stationary car, do not take any chances.
Do not position yourself too much in the corner, otherwise the cars will try to pass the same lane you are on, even though there is no space to do it safely. You can get out of balance and just fall with the scare, not to mention the danger of a collision. The Traffic Code requires drivers to pass 1.5m from you, but many drivers do not know this or do not understand the importance and reason for the 1.5m ).
Walk more or less on the line of a third of the track, so you are not as unpleasant as taking up the entire track. You will have room to dodge holes without having to go further to the left and the cars will have to wait until there is enough space to pass through the other lane. And, even if a hurried driver tries to force your way through, you will have a breather to escape to the right without having to throw yourself on the sidewalk. Find out why many cyclists occupy the entire range and understand why (and how) to do it safely.
But be understanding with the drivers: when you pass a considerable stretch where there are no cars parked, use the parking area to clear the line of cars behind you. So, that driver who has been waiting for a few minutes without being able to pass you can leave before he gets nervous. Although you are in your right, many drivers do not see it that way and are irritated by your presence, forgetting that the street belongs to everyone and not just cars. But be very careful when returning to the lane: signal, wait for a safe moment and enter. If necessary, stop and wait for all cars to pass before returning to occupy the lane.
Sign with your left hand at 90º when turning left and with your right hand when turning right. Slightly waving the hand makes the signal more visible. When you go ahead in a place where many cars turn right, signal with your hand at 45º, asking to wait, as Renata Falzoni does in this photo. And always see if the driver will really wait for you!
An educated cyclist is best received on the streets. It is also important to always be grateful when someone waits or gives way, as this will create sympathy for the driver, helping to see him as a person and not as an obstacle to his travel, an additional delay in his haste.
Many drivers who are seeing you as "a loose person occupying the street" will think "at least the guy is polite". It is already something and it can be the difference between a risky situation or not. And these will start to treat the next cyclist that they see better. That is, with good manners in traffic you end up helping us all. Thank you!
Expressways, or avenues with a lot of flow and little space, only as a last resort. Avenues with several lanes are usually viable, but it is always good to choose streets that follow in parallel to them, especially when you are beginning to venture into traffic.
At peak times it can be more difficult to travel on the avenues. There is little space left, forcing the cyclist to use the corridor, and there are always some impatient motorcyclists. To make matters worse, when traffic moves 100 meters, drivers try to catch up in those few seconds, honking and accelerating behind the cyclist as if he were responsible for the congestion.
The choice of the route is an important safety item. Look for smaller streets, which cars avoid because they need to stop at every corner due to speed bumps, ditches or many traffic lights. Do not think of the route as if you are driving: what is bad for drivers is usually good for cyclists. If you do not know which way to go, look for experienced cyclists in the use of the streets or the bicycle of your city and ask for some tips, or ask for the help of a Bike Angel .
As a rule, if you are afraid to cycle on a certain avenue, better not to, even if you are very insecure you may make some silly mistake or even lose your balance due to tension. Avenues where the flow of cars follows at a high speed even on the right lane are inadvisable, avoid places like this. Smaller streets are safer and much more pleasant, even if the route increases a little.
In spite of all this, we know that there are not always alternative routes, or that the choice of another path implies an enormous increase in the route, including several climbs. We have detailed this subject in this article . We also have a text clarifying that there is no minimum speed in the right hand lane , a very common myth.
Pedestrians with their backs to you can step aside without seeing you coming. A car can come out of a building garage and hit you straight, or appear in front of you in a way that you can't avoid - and the wrong (and hurt) will be you.
Elderly people are terrified of cycling on the sidewalk, because they have an understandable fear of getting hurt, especially those who are at an age when a broken bone may be impossible to repair. If you ride your bike on the sidewalk next to them, they will complain and with good reason. Comparatively, it is the same as a truck coming towards you and swerving at the last minute: they may fall only with the shock of seeing the bicycle coming.
Another good reason not to walk on the sidewalk? A child may appear running from inside a house. Have you ever thought about being run over by a three-year-old child? Terrible, right? Better not take that risk.
Always try to drive on the road. If you need to cross the sidewalk, dismount and turn pedestrian.
Want more? Drivers are irritated when they see cyclists breaking traffic laws. A bad person behind the wheel may decide to "punish" you further with a thin or closed one, which can cause serious injuries.
Tip: if you want to take advantage of the open signal for pedestrians, dismount and walk across!
In the preferential lanes, which are to the right of the road and without physical separation, in some cities bus drivers have become accustomed to meeting cyclists along the way and know how to safely detour, leaving the lane and returning ahead. In São Paulo, the Secretary of Transport himself even communicated that cyclists should use the right lane even when it is on buses . But if in your city or neighborhood the understanding of drivers is definitely not the norm, try using the second lane (the first just after the bus). It is best to avoid avenues where there is a lane or bus corridor on the right, but we know that there are not always viable alternative paths.
Just because you haven't stressed about waiting inside the car (or the bus) for that signal that opened and closed three times, you will already feel a huge difference. It will burn those fat that insist on staying there, no matter how much you pray to São Regime. It will improve your breathing capacity, circulation, and you will be less at risk of heart attack. It will save money and will probably even arrive faster.
If you are considering using the bike, or if you already use it but still don’t feel safe, Vá de Bike has a series of articles to show that using the bike on the streets can be safe and enjoyable, even in big cities (see box opposite).
On this page there are recommendations on how to behave in traffic. Yes, I know that you are already grown up and know how to cross the street, but that is not it: I want to help you not take unnecessary risks and undo the idea that pedaling with cars is crazy. It is feasible, yes, just take some precautions.
Lighting
Not always remembered as a safety item, bicycle lights play an essential role. After all, it is much more important to avoid a risky situation than to prepare to survive it.In order to have reaction time and to safely dodge you, drivers need to see you. And at night, whoever is on a bicycle is even less seen by whoever is driving. Reflectors, which the law requires to come with bicycles , are of little help. Always use white light in the front and red light in the back, so that drivers know quickly whether you are coming or going.
The light must be flashing, as the light intensity of the bicycle lanterns is not sufficient to stand out safely when lit in uninterrupted mode. The flashing light attracts the driver's attention much more - and that is exactly the goal.
Helmet
Safe bicycle riding has the potential to protect you far greater than just wearing a helmet, especially if you don't intend to do risky maneuvers or abuse your speed. It is common to associate the use of the bicycle with extreme sport or risky activity, but cycling consciously and without abuse offers as much risk as crossing the street carefully. And, contrary to popular belief, a helmet is not mandatory by law for cyclists.Despite this, we recommend its use, especially for those just starting out, as the ability to balance yourself in adverse situations comes with time and practice. Of course, a helmet decreases the chance of head trauma, just as a knee brace would decrease the chance of hurting your knees (and this for both cyclists and pedestrians who walk on poorly maintained sidewalks). But keep in mind that it will not protect you from cars, only from yourself. Ride carefully and carefully, so you don't have to put it to the test. And it's important: don't bully anyone who prefers not to use it.
Gloves and glasses
They are not essential, but you should use them. Gloves are important for two reasons. The first is that the skin can be irritated by continuous support on the handle; the other is that if you fall, you will try to stop the fall with your hand, skinning your whole palm if you are without gloves. In the cold, “closed” (full-finger) gloves become important for your hands not to stiffen in the cold wind, which can even get in the way of braking. The glasses offer important protection against dust and other particles that can get into your eyes with the wind, temporarily blocking your vision, which can create an unpleasant and even dangerous situation.Contrary not
There are several reasons for cycling in the right hand and all of them aim at your safety. There are so many reasons that we have an article detailing this subject , but here are the main ones.A pedestrian crossing the street only looks to the side where the cars come from. A car that will enter a street, or leave a garage or parking space, too. They don't expect to find a bicycle coming in the opposite direction. A car making a right turn also does not expect a bicycle in the opposite direction, especially on the inside of the turn. A driver who has parked and is going to open the door will only look in the rearview mirror to see if he can open it, with no reason to look ahead.
The speed at which you approach a car is much higher if you are going against the grain, as it is the sum of the speeds of the two vehicles. If you are at 20 km / h and the car is 40 km, you will be approaching it at a relative speed of 60 km / h. The driver will have much less time to react to your presence and dodge you, in addition to the fact that a collision at this speed does a lot of damage. If in this same example you are in the same direction as the car, the relative speed between both will be only 20 km / h: the driver will have more time to deviate and the chance of collision will decrease a lot. And, in a possible collision, the damage will be less.
Get away from the doors
Watch out for parked car doors. Many drivers look in the rearview mirror looking for the large volume of a car and end up not seeing the skinny girl coming, especially at night (another point in favor of flashing lighting). Or the driver looks at an angle that makes the bike go blind. And there are also those who are really distracted! There are even those who open the door all at once, pushing with their feet ...Therefore, stay at a distance that is sufficient that a door opening does not knock you down. Keep at least one meter of the cars stopped, trying to imagine how far an open door would go. Preferably, occupy the next track . It is not always possible to perceive a person inside a stationary car, do not take any chances.
On the right, but not so much
Always walk to the right. In some cases it may be better to use the left when the road is one way, but there are rare exceptions. Using the right lane is safer, as it is the area intended for vehicles at lower speed.Do not position yourself too much in the corner, otherwise the cars will try to pass the same lane you are on, even though there is no space to do it safely. You can get out of balance and just fall with the scare, not to mention the danger of a collision. The Traffic Code requires drivers to pass 1.5m from you, but many drivers do not know this or do not understand the importance and reason for the 1.5m ).
Walk more or less on the line of a third of the track, so you are not as unpleasant as taking up the entire track. You will have room to dodge holes without having to go further to the left and the cars will have to wait until there is enough space to pass through the other lane. And, even if a hurried driver tries to force your way through, you will have a breather to escape to the right without having to throw yourself on the sidewalk. Find out why many cyclists occupy the entire range and understand why (and how) to do it safely.
But be understanding with the drivers: when you pass a considerable stretch where there are no cars parked, use the parking area to clear the line of cars behind you. So, that driver who has been waiting for a few minutes without being able to pass you can leave before he gets nervous. Although you are in your right, many drivers do not see it that way and are irritated by your presence, forgetting that the street belongs to everyone and not just cars. But be very careful when returning to the lane: signal, wait for a safe moment and enter. If necessary, stop and wait for all cars to pass before returning to occupy the lane.
Always flag
It is very important that drivers can predict their trajectory, so always signal what you intend to do, with hand signals. Ask for a ticket, give a ticket, signal that the driver can pass when you decide to wait for him, let him know when you need to get in front of him (and wait to see if he will stop).Sign with your left hand at 90º when turning left and with your right hand when turning right. Slightly waving the hand makes the signal more visible. When you go ahead in a place where many cars turn right, signal with your hand at 45º, asking to wait, as Renata Falzoni does in this photo. And always see if the driver will really wait for you!
Education is a two-way street
Drivers are very susceptible to polite approaches. How many times have we not seen a driver, who is positioning himself not to let another one get in front of him, to give in when the first makes a simple hand signal? For that little hand signal, accompanied by a smile and followed by thanks, works miracles.An educated cyclist is best received on the streets. It is also important to always be grateful when someone waits or gives way, as this will create sympathy for the driver, helping to see him as a person and not as an obstacle to his travel, an additional delay in his haste.
Many drivers who are seeing you as "a loose person occupying the street" will think "at least the guy is polite". It is already something and it can be the difference between a risky situation or not. And these will start to treat the next cyclist that they see better. That is, with good manners in traffic you end up helping us all. Thank you!
Prefer bike lanes and quiet streets
Bike lanes and bike lanes protect lives, simply separating cyclists from traffic and other vehicles. The care that should be taken in this case is mainly at intersections, corners and conversions, where drivers do not always give preference to the cyclist (by the way, provided by law). But what is the recommendation for when there is no bike path?Expressways, or avenues with a lot of flow and little space, only as a last resort. Avenues with several lanes are usually viable, but it is always good to choose streets that follow in parallel to them, especially when you are beginning to venture into traffic.
At peak times it can be more difficult to travel on the avenues. There is little space left, forcing the cyclist to use the corridor, and there are always some impatient motorcyclists. To make matters worse, when traffic moves 100 meters, drivers try to catch up in those few seconds, honking and accelerating behind the cyclist as if he were responsible for the congestion.
The choice of the route is an important safety item. Look for smaller streets, which cars avoid because they need to stop at every corner due to speed bumps, ditches or many traffic lights. Do not think of the route as if you are driving: what is bad for drivers is usually good for cyclists. If you do not know which way to go, look for experienced cyclists in the use of the streets or the bicycle of your city and ask for some tips, or ask for the help of a Bike Angel .
As a rule, if you are afraid to cycle on a certain avenue, better not to, even if you are very insecure you may make some silly mistake or even lose your balance due to tension. Avenues where the flow of cars follows at a high speed even on the right lane are inadvisable, avoid places like this. Smaller streets are safer and much more pleasant, even if the route increases a little.
In spite of all this, we know that there are not always alternative routes, or that the choice of another path implies an enormous increase in the route, including several climbs. We have detailed this subject in this article . We also have a text clarifying that there is no minimum speed in the right hand lane , a very common myth.
Sidewalk is for pedestrians
If you need to cross the sidewalk or cross the pedestrian crossing, the traffic code tells you to dismount the bicycle, as motorcyclists (conscientious) do ( art.68, §1º ). And this law is not just an arbitrary rule made by those who have never ridden a bicycle: there are sufficient reasons for not using the sidewalk.Pedestrians with their backs to you can step aside without seeing you coming. A car can come out of a building garage and hit you straight, or appear in front of you in a way that you can't avoid - and the wrong (and hurt) will be you.
Elderly people are terrified of cycling on the sidewalk, because they have an understandable fear of getting hurt, especially those who are at an age when a broken bone may be impossible to repair. If you ride your bike on the sidewalk next to them, they will complain and with good reason. Comparatively, it is the same as a truck coming towards you and swerving at the last minute: they may fall only with the shock of seeing the bicycle coming.
Another good reason not to walk on the sidewalk? A child may appear running from inside a house. Have you ever thought about being run over by a three-year-old child? Terrible, right? Better not take that risk.
Always try to drive on the road. If you need to cross the sidewalk, dismount and turn pedestrian.
Do not pierce the sign
Do not pass the red light with the bike, as a car can appear at high speed across the road and you are unable to escape in time. Or there may be a pedestrian who was hidden by the cars, exercising his legitimate right of crossing. And, even if the pedestrian is crossing the lane or with the signal open for vehicles, it is the cyclist's obligation to reduce and wait for him to finish the crossing. Nor would it have to be law (and it is) for this to be the proper conduct.Want more? Drivers are irritated when they see cyclists breaking traffic laws. A bad person behind the wheel may decide to "punish" you further with a thin or closed one, which can cause serious injuries.
Tip: if you want to take advantage of the open signal for pedestrians, dismount and walk across!
Bus lane not
Em corredores de ônibus, alguns motoristas não têm a menor paciência com ciclistas, porque precisam sair da pista exclusiva para ultrapassá-los e os motoristas dos carros não deixam.In the preferential lanes, which are to the right of the road and without physical separation, in some cities bus drivers have become accustomed to meeting cyclists along the way and know how to safely detour, leaving the lane and returning ahead. In São Paulo, the Secretary of Transport himself even communicated that cyclists should use the right lane even when it is on buses . But if in your city or neighborhood the understanding of drivers is definitely not the norm, try using the second lane (the first just after the bus). It is best to avoid avenues where there is a lane or bus corridor on the right, but we know that there are not always viable alternative paths.
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