It’s time to head to work. So, you hop on your trusty electric bike and set out confidently. Then, you remember that there are other e-bikes, bicycles, pedestrians and motorists all commuting at the same time. How do you make sure that you have a safe and pleasant trip to work? The following bicycling etiquette tips will help you commute more easily.

1) Always Be Predictable

Safety is the top priority for commuting (and traveling in general). If you want other people to behave predictably around you, you need to also be predictable. So, follow the rules of the road. Don’t surprise the cars next to you by suddenly shooting across multiple lanes to make a turn.

Always keep yourself as visible as possible. During the day, think about where cars are and try to stay in their lines of sight. Avoid cycling along in someone’s blind spot for too long. At night, make sure you have sufficient reflectors and/or lights to ensure that you are easy to see.

2) Pass Safely

Bikes can squeeze through relatively tight gaps. However, that doesn’t mean that you should try to weave between pedestrians or come shooting out of a gap in traffic. Always look to make sure that the coast is clear before you pass anyone. Additionally, try to give yourself space as you are maneuvering around others on the road.

If you are passing stopped or parked cars, remember that someone could suddenly open a door. They should be checking the mirror first, but that doesn’t matter much when you slam into the open door. Always be vigilant and ready to stop if someone looks like they are going to open a door or otherwise get in your way.

3) Pay Attention

It is tempting to blast some tunes or talk on the phone while you are riding your bike. This isn’t a great idea. Always make sure you can hear background noise around you. Some music is okay as long as you are not going to miss any hazards because of it.

4) Park Considerately

When you are parking your bike at a rack or other anchoring point, remember that others may want to park there. Also, try to avoid blocking pedestrians or traffic in any way. In short, be considerate of how your bike position will affect others when you are stopping.

If possible, park your bike indoors or in a secure area. Unfortunately, publicly accessible bike racks can be attractants for thieves.

5) Be Smart When Stopping

If you come to a stop at a light or stop sign, be patient and wait for the flow of traffic to start in your direction again. Additionally, make sure you are visible. You don’t want to suddenly pop out in front of moving cars.

Find an EBike Safety Course Today

If you follow the above biking etiquette tips, and are a safe rider, you can enjoy a pleasant and quick commuting experience.

Whether you are riding an electric bike or a traditional bicycle, you likely want to be able to take it wherever and whenever you want. Sometimes that may mean riding in the dark. Obviously, this can be a little dangerous. So, it is a good idea to use some extra caution whenever you are riding in a low-light setting. The following tips will help.

1) Use Bike Lights and Reflectors

The most important thing you can do is ensure that others can see you. This means placing lights on your bike and reflectors on your bike and clothing. Reflectors will illuminate you whenever a car or other vehicle’s lights shine on you. However, you don’t want to count on that visibility alone. Similarly, you won’t be able to see if there are no nearby lights. So, it is a good idea to also have a front and rear light on your bike.

2) Only Ride in Areas With Good Visibility

No amount of visibility upgrades will help you if you are riding around a tight lane with tight corners. Try to choose relatively straight and open sections of road where the visibility is as substantial as possible. Having extra space and clear sight-lines will help to ensure that motorists can see and avoid you. Plus, you will be able to see where you are going more easily. If you can ride somewhere with streetlights, that is even better.

3) Ride Carefully

Don’t count on others to keep you safe when you are out riding. It only takes one person who isn’t paying attention to cause an accident. So, make sure you are always riding with caution. Leave space between you and other riders and motorists. Additionally, keep your eyes up and watch out for vehicles. Don’t assume that everyone will follow the rules of the road perfectly. It is much better to let a car go when you have the right-of-way than to get in an accident.

4) Wear Appropriate Clothes

It gets chilly at night. If you are overly cold, you will be less focusing on safety and more likely to make a mistake. A simple solution is to wear appropriate clothing for the nighttime. Additionally, try to choose clothes that have light colors or reflective strips. Riding around in all black late at night is asking for trouble.

5) Avoid Dazzling Others

The lights on your bike may not seem that bright. However, if they are shined directly in a driver’s eyes, they are probably dazzling. If motorists can’t see easily, they are more likely to cause an accident. So, make sure your light is angled such that it won’t dazzle anyone. This is a courteous practice that keeps everyone on the road a little safer.

Take an E-Bike Safety Foundation Course Today

With the right electric bike, you could be cruising around town all day. If you want to avoid riding at night, the motor can help you get home before dark. Alternatively, you can use the pedal assist mode for an easier ride so that you can focus on the road ahead more easily.