How to Ride a Bike On The Street

Riding a bike is an excellent alternative to driving a car, and can really save a lot of money on gas. However, riding a bike on the street requires you to follow street laws and general safety laws. Here's how to ride a bike on the street.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A bicycle
• A helmet

1. 
    
   Make sure you wear a bicycle helmet

   First of all, whenever you ride a bike on the street, make sure you wear a helmet. You are quite vulnerable on a bike, and you should always protect yourself, especially your head.

2. 
    
   Use bike lanes

   Next, if the street you are riding your bicycle on has a bike lane, use it. Bike lanes exist to protect bike riders and separate themselves from motor vehicles.

3. If there is no bike lane on the street you are riding your bike on, ride off to the side of the road. Try to leave enough room for a car to pass you without it getting too close to the car's lane boundaries. Almost every road is wide enough for a car and a biker to fit comfortably, side by side. Make sure you keep your eyes open for parked cars on the street, and do not hit them.

4. 
    
   Learn the hand signals to ride a bike on the street

   Utilize traffic signals whenever necessary. This means when you are riding a bike on the road, and you need to make a left turn, put your arm out to make sure you let the other cars on the road know you are turning, or merging left. Also make sure you turn your head so you can see where all the cars around you are so you do not get hit.

5. 
    

   If you are riding your bike on the road at night, make sure you some sort of head light. These can be purchased for only a few dollars at a sports store or a bike store. This will really increase your visibility to other vehicles, and let cars know you are on the road.