How To Ride In A City | Bike Riding Tips For Busy And Urban Streets

Riding your bike in the city can be tricky. Traffic is not always easy to negotiate and is often intimidating for cyclists. In this video, Hank explains how you can become more confident riding in the city, as well as how to make sure you stay safe and enjoy getting around the city by bike!

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Do you ride in the city often? Were these tips helpful? Let us know in the comments 👇

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ES_Alienated - ELFL.mp3
ES_Babyface - TR3KK ONE.mp3

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[lexistential]

i need a video for "how to convince my city to build a bike path so i can leave my house without getting on the 70mph highway"

[philrobson]

No matter how right you think you might be while riding in traffic, just remember the rule of mass. Everything out weighs you on the road!

[endcensorship]

(from a rider who has been riding in cities for over 30 years) The best bit of advice I can give is to 1) Be Predictable 2) Assume that cars/drivers either can not, do not, or do not want to see you. Assuming they see you will get you hit.

[frazergoodwin]

Hank:
"Equip your bike with front and rear lights... and its a good idea to leave them on your bike so you'll never forget them and... think about adding a bell to your bike too"
All said with a straight face whilst next to his Canyon Grail with no lights or bell attached... 😁

[jorenvandaele]

only thing I could really add is to look at drivers of cars etc., make eye contact/make sure they have seen you. Also, don't ever assume they saw you, make sure they have seen you and if neccesary slowed down, also don't be afraid to stop or re-route when it's not safe. Lastly: claim your spot on the road, ride about 1 metre away from the gutter, that way they can't overtake you and you are more easily seen. Enjoy your bike rides everyone!!

[aldantefax]

Just watched this video after getting back into riding from a couple of years off the saddle. Super important to also call out that it's okay to dismount and take a cross walk if that's the safest path. Sitting in a turn lane just so you can get a quick start caused one of my mates to have a inattentive driver slam into him in a busy intersection, even though he took the full lane and had the right of way! Sometimes it's just better to hop off the bike, hit a crosswalk button, cross on foot, then safely re-mount and ride off afterwards.

[rzeckner]

The best advice I received years ago is, "Don't be dead right!" Sure, you have the right-away and the driver is jerk, but flesh and bone will never win against a couple of tons of steel.

[sebastianarizarodriguez]

I have another advice: Prepare your route with anticipation and choose "secure" street without too many vehicles. Ride with a moderate speed.

[johnmac]

as someone who earns a living driving a 3 1/2 tonne van through a busy city .. i totally agree with ' don't go up the inside of large vehicles ' .. the amount of times i'm watching a cyclist come up the inside then vanish & not be seen clearly in the blind-spot mirror is scary

[donnahicks]

‘Be predictable’ is some of the best advice I have received (and given). Makes you so much safer on the road, whether solo or group riding

[TheSpaceBrosShow]

2:57 driver so nice to cyclist that he simply disappeared off the road

[hateferd]

When sharing roads with cars, take up space on the road, don't ride close to the edge. That way you force cars to pass you more carefully.

[oldrageface]

Being confident on the road, for example by taking up a lane when it's needed, makes you safer because you get seen by drivers. This in turn makes you more confident :D

[colinswan]

Best advice I was given was look at the vehicle front wheel when it is at a side junction to pull out onto the road you are travelling along. Often it is difficult to tell if the vehicle itself is moving out but very easy to see if front wheel is turning forward. Has saved me a couple of times.

[audaxgareth]

Commuted through london for 5 years, always ride positive and be assertive. Own your space and be clear what you're doing. Don't ride too close to the kerb and make sure you're out a bit when passing joining junctions and look for where the driver is looking.

[bicyclexx]

🚲Riding in NYC over 40years . Much metal affixed to my bones to prove it . And that ain't going to stop me . Ride On !!!🚲

[ishtiaq]

As a bus driver in Birmingham and a keen cyclist i think every road user should watch this video ..Great Job GCN

[Hipnosis]

My tips. 1. Have your head on a swivel, so you know where others are around you (vehicles and other bikes). 2. Be wary of parked cars... and give them a wide berth. You don't know if someone is ready to open a door and nail you. 3. Ride with plenty of room between you and the curb. It gives you a bail if you need to move right (or left in GB) and the extra space will often force traffic behind to move over and give you more room, instead of trying to stay fully in their lane and give you a brush. 4. Eye contact. Never assume a stopped car will wait for you to pass. Look directly at the driver and even from a long distance you can get eye contact. That way you know they see you. Even then never assume. 5. Share the road. If you're waiting for a light... hug the curb to allow vehicles to turn past you. Let reluctant drivers know they can turn. In other words, be polite. 6. I always tell drivers, "never underestimate the speed of a bike". I always tell riders, "motorists will underestimate the speed of your bike". 7. Obey the road rules... cyclist hatred is often misdirected, but much is deserved because of bad riders. All the best and stay safe.

[gcn]

Do you ride in the city often? Were these tips helpful? Let us know in the comments 👇

[runawayrunaway]

Don't leave lights on the bike when you lock up in public. They will get stolen very quickly.