Re: Ride well out into the lane where the cars go?

[Tanya Quinn]

> You are correct to fear doors. When there is a line of parked cars, ride about
> 3.5 feet to the left of the doors, even if cars are coming up in your lane.
> Watch for heads, and wheels turned left. Most often, a 3.5-foot gap from the
> parked cars will still allow enough room for cars to pass easily on your left.
> Find a different route rather than ride on narrow streets with parked cars.
> Lines of parked cars are hazardous for many reasons other than doors.

Any Toronto people reading this thread? The major east-west streets
downtown are all too narrow to ride that far out from the parked cars
unless you ride in the only traffic lane. The problem is compounded
because these streets also have streetcar tracks (King, Queen, Dundas,
College) so if you ride too far over you're also hitting the track.
(and presumably the streetcar when you catch up with it ;)) I ride in
the parking lane fairly close to the cars keeping an eye for cues
someone is about to open a door and merging further left if traffic is
clear. Any better ideas for avoiding dooring on these streets?

Tanya

[Bernie]

Tanya Quinn wrote:

> > You are correct to fear doors. When there is a line of parked cars, ride about
> > 3.5 feet to the left of the doors, even if cars are coming up in your lane.
> > Watch for heads, and wheels turned left. Most often, a 3.5-foot gap from the
> > parked cars will still allow enough room for cars to pass easily on your left.
> > Find a different route rather than ride on narrow streets with parked cars.
> > Lines of parked cars are hazardous for many reasons other than doors.
>
> Any Toronto people reading this thread? The major east-west streets
> downtown are all too narrow to ride that far out from the parked cars
> unless you ride in the only traffic lane. The problem is compounded
> because these streets also have streetcar tracks (King, Queen, Dundas,
> College) so if you ride too far over you're also hitting the track.
> (and presumably the streetcar when you catch up with it ;)) I ride in
> the parking lane fairly close to the cars keeping an eye for cues
> someone is about to open a door and merging further left if traffic is
> clear. Any better ideas for avoiding dooring on these streets?
>
> Tanya

Ride fast in the traffic zone and stay left of the door zone. There's too many wild
cards over there. Drains, cars pulling out, doors, "surprize" pedestrians walking
out... It's always exciting riding in downtown T.O.
The other option is to avoid traffic and use quieter streets. I know that's not
always so simple if going east/west in Toronto, and I'm not trying to be facetious.
The plus side is the heavier the traffic, the better it is for the cyclist. You
make better time than cars and it is easier to get around them.
Take care out there!
Bernie

[Pat]

x-no-archive:yes


Thanks for taking the time to post all of that.

Pat in TX

"Pat" > wrote in message
...
> x-no-archive:yes
>
>
> Thanks for taking the time to post all of that.
>
> Pat in TX

As they say in Antarcticia, "No sweat."
--Tock