In recent years it has gained ground against cars. More and more, they are choosing the bike to move even inside the city. "Are you cycling? Evaluate the risk of each area. Wear helmet and safety vest," the Greek Police said in its message on social media. She also refers to her official website, namely in a post titled "I am cycling - What do I watch when I am on the road."
I ride using the road network properly. I appreciate the danger of the area I am cycling every moment. I'm driving, given that the other drivers are not paying attention, so I have to look after myself. I always wear a helmet and protectors on elbows and knees. I always leave a margin from the shoulder, the pavement, the edge of the pavement and the moving, stopped or parked vehicles.
I control and "sweep" the road in all directions, even if I move straight. I check before I cross the junction, even when my lantern is green. I always ride on the right lane unless I intend to pass or turn left.
I choose the right lane in good time, alerting other drivers if I want to turn. I always warn the drivers of every change in my course: turn left to extend the left hand, right to right and to lower speed I move up and down extended my palm.
I avoid risky and foolish actions. I hold the wheel of the bike with both hands unless I have to warn the drivers who follow me. If I want to turn on a junction but move on the opposite lane of traffic from the corner or if the conditions of the road are "difficult" (the traffic is dense, the speeds of the big vehicles, etc.) it is better to stop at the traffic lights and ride the bicycle opposite the pedestrian crossing. When I cross a road vertically, I pass through a passage or island, etc. it's safer to get off the bike and pass it across with my hands.
I overtake a distance of 1 meter within a city and 1.5 meters out of town. I always skip to the left when a bus stops or a taxi stop in front of you because passengers are coming down from the right and there is a risk of an accident. I'm overtaking an obstacle or a vehicle after I have checked around myself and especially behind me, I calculate the speed and position of the vehicles on the roadway and then I carefully pass by keeping the distances. When I pass another vehicle I do not change course (only in an emergency I take advantage of the margin I have left), I steadily hold the wheel of the bicycle for the volume of air that will bring the vehicle over me and I do not "miss" it.
When I walk out of a narrow street on the main road, besides passing vehicles, I watch if somebody stops, starts or inverses. When I turn at a junction with orange blinking arrows I watch and give priority to pedestrians passing the crossing. The course of my bike has to be steady, I have a good balance, I do not ride with zigzags and maneuvers, so I hold the bicycle wheel loosely but steadily and look away in front of me.
There are roads in which cycling with higher speed guarantees my safety more than my idling. Generally, the fewer I pass the better.
I avoid cycling on the sidewalk. I do not interfere with pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk. I prefer streets with less traffic that vehicles run at lower speeds such as narrow, offshore, coastal streets, sidewalks, etc.
Where there is an exclusive bicycle road (bicycle path) I use it. Sometimes it is preferable to cover the entire lane with the bike so that the drivers pay more attention. During night driving, I use large front and rear lights, I wear a reflective vest with reflective tape and I avoid black clothes without any reflective material, so I can get it easier to see.
I do not drive frightened or scared, giving the other drivers more aggressive driving and not counting me. More bicycles circulate together to force drivers to pay more attention.
I take advantage of the better visibility offered to me by the best and highest driving position of the bike over the drivers of the car. In the event of an accident I do not panic, I am resting, I drink some water, I accept the help of third parties and if anything important I call for help. It is good to know the basic first aid.
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