Finding your way

Before you ride off to your destination, think about the roads you'll take: how can you make your trip easier, cutting your conflicts with automobiles? Experiment with different routes, or ask for help from a local bike group.

Choose a route that lets you make as few left turns as possible. This might mean using one route to a destination, and a different route from the destination.

Cross major roads at traffic signals instead of on side streets.

Pick streets where you have room to avoid the door zone.

Find streets where the traffic lights are time to turn green for 20 Mph traffic or slower, so you can comfortably make all the greens. Fewer red lights means fewer conflicts with vehicles at intersections.

When starting your ride, chose streets where you can go slowly and warm up your leg muscles before exerting them. Avoid roads where you immediately have to go fast or climb a hill.

 Copyright © 2003 by Wordspace Press. Learn more from the source: Urban Bikers' Tricks & Tips.