Participating in traffic is, ultimately, social interaction. Everyone using the public space of our roads and streets is interacting with others. Just like participation in school, at work, or at the sports club, this requires social behavior to make it a safe and pleasant experience for everyone, or at least prevent harm to oneself and others. What does this mean for drivers and riders of all sorts of vehicles?
Riding a bicycle against traffic?
Don’t do it. You are not a pedestrian. You are riding a vehicle. You are supposed to keep right. Behave as someone who rides a vehicle. Obey signs and lights. Stop where you should stop. Signal your directions to other drivers using your hands. Make sure you see and are seen by others. Anticipate that others might not see you. Be responsible.
Riding a bicycle on the road or on the sidewalk?
As it is, many city streets have only sidewalks, and no bike lanes or paths. Should a bicycle rider ride on the sidewalk or in the car lane?
Riding a slow vehicle in a car lane is dangerous. It is unrealistic to ride a bicycle on a road with a speed limit over 25 miles per hour and expect safety. We cannot stress this point enough: it is unrealistic to ride a bicycle on a road with a speed limit over 25 miles per hour and expect safety.
Therefore: if you want to ride a bike on such a road and there is a sidewalk, by all means, use it. If there is a sidewalk on only one side of the street: use it. It takes only one distracted driver to ruin the rest of your life, and you have no control over this. It might help to use a rear view mirror to observe traffic behind you and try to get out of the way when necessary, but that will not slow down someone who does not see you.
What if there is no sidewalk at all on a busy street? Avoid it. If possible, take another route, even if it is longer. Just don’t ride there on a bicycle. Be safe.
What if I ride a motorized vehicle?
Just take into account that there are pedestrians, as well as riders of unmotorized vehicles out there using the same public roads. They are much more physically vulnerable than you are. Adapt your speed where necessary. Watch out for pedestrians and bicycle riders. If you make a turn and they continue on the same street you were going, you have to yield to them. If you have a stop sign, you have to yield to all vehicles. Be tolerant of others, even if they make errors.
Oh, and don’t have your windows tinted so dark that others can’t see if you see them. Do what you can to make it a safe environment for everyone.