Predictability: It's Ok to Let Others Know What You're Going To Do

Last week, we covered how focusing on making yourself visible can make you safer by helping road users to see you. But being able to see you isn't enough, if road users don't know what you're going to do.

To be safe, you must also make it easy for motorists and other cyclists to know what you are going to do. Predictable bicycling makes for fewer accidents. And as an added bonus, predictable bicyclists don't incite road rage from people in cars. You can be predictable by:

-Obeying all traffic signs and rules of the road
Being predictable might feel less cool, but it seems to me the benefits of being safe and making the road saner (which we all know it needs to be) outweigh the potential minute or two you will gain. Traffic works best and safest when all people interpret the laws and messages the same. Read here for more on why we think it's important to follow the rules of the road.

-Riding the same direction as traffic
Many people feel safer riding so that they can see the cars in front of them. However, riding with traffic means that motorists can see you for longer before reaching you, and they will have more time to respond (two objects approaching each other will collide faster than two going the same direction). More on the Physics here. And, when you're in a car or on bike, it is scary to suddenly see a cyclist approaching.

-Using hand signals before turning or changing lanes
Never change direction or change lanes without first looking behind you and using the correct hand signals. That way everyone knows where you're going. Hand signals are below, courtesy of Biking Rules:




Right






Left






Slowing/Stopping




More info, and a guide for kids, at the Delaware Bicycle Council.