How To Be Safe On A Bike … Part 1: Controlling Traffic
Safe Bicycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I confess … I feel safe on the Parkway at all times when I am riding my bike. But I have been doing it all my life and rode competively for many years elbow to elbow in pelotons traveling at 35 miles + down hills and in curves. … at my age now I wouldn’t so my advice to you today is for any age and any level of experience …
RIDE IN A GROUP AND IN SINGLE FILE!
Making it nearly impossible for an automobile to pass a string of bikes except in a good visibility situation is best practice. There will remain the daredevils filled with impatience and road rage which will make an unsafe move no matter what size your line. In a group, the biker at the rear of the string has the responsibility of informing those up the line that there is a “car back!” so that all the riders know that there is a vehicle probably wishing to pass. That gives the cyclists the opportunity to move to the right as close to the right as a rider’s skill level will allow.
Overlooks and pullouts should always be used by cyclists to allow automobile traffic to pass. You don’t need to stop in the overlook, only reduce your speed to allow automobiles to saftely pull through.
