by Raymond L. Marr

Created on: August 05, 2008

To ride in the city, to cycle commute, to save gas, to become stronger and extend life. Seems simple right? Well it really is quite simple in fact with proper awareness and in the action experience it will certainly become second nature.

To start, a bicycle is a vehicle, and as a vehicle it should be driven as a vehicle, meaning that just as if you were driving your car, you stop at the lights, you use hand signals and you ride defensively. The defensive driving part when cycle commuting is a necessary step, as not every driver on the road is aware of that fact, and as you are riding you will find them. They are the people that for some reason feel they need to honk the horn, when you are driving as a vehicle and taking the lane. Or the others who find it necessary for some reason to say something stupid, or try and tell you the cycle commuter that you are supposed to be on the sidewalk or you should stay in the lines. These individuals are the ones who make cycle commuting sometimes difficult.

To overcome these annoyances, you need to interpret their stupidity differently, and plan ahead of times, considering that every car could do the same. Driving defensively on a bike is quite important for your own safety. When you expect the drivers to be foolish, at least then you are prepared to act accordingly. It is not to say all drivers will be like that, but it is saying that in driving defensively you are increasing your enjoyment and awareness that cycle commuting provides besides extending life.

City driving, in itself could be stressful at times, through preparation though, you are always ready for the worst as a means to your survival. Biking in the city is a pleasant experience, in the town I live in, I experience the good, the bad and the ugly. In that awareness in that experience gained by first taking that first ride, and continuing time and again. It will certainly not be easy to overcome the initial fear factor until you have miles under your belt. What you will find, is as you become more comfortable in cycling as a vehicle you act as a vehicle. To cycle safely in the city, you must be willing to take the lane when necessary, to use hand signals to make the drivers behind you aware of what you will be doing next. Of course not all will respect that, which is why I keep going back to defensive riding, it is an integral part of driving any type of vehicle including bicycles.

Depending on the city you are in what I have mentioned thus far is only a primer,

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