How to NOT Die While Bike Commuting

One cool thing about biking is that the cycling world has several HUGE online communities that make the hobby even more fun.

MapMyRide.com is one such site. The cycling community seems to rate it, hands down, as the best tool for mapping a bike ride.

Know Where You're Going:
The site allows you to plan your route, utilizing GoogleMaps, by selecting "follow roads" or not, choosing various types of stops and waypoints, and the ability to share your route with others in the MapMyRide community!

View the screenshot (click to enlarge) of the mapping screen:

In addition to the community aspects of the site and the mapping features, you can also search for routes/rides by city...for those lazy days that you don't want to map your own!

Knowing where you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there will definitely help you stay safe by not getting lost, but what can be done when riding in traffic, as in bike commuting?

Frequent the Experts' Advice:
Enter CommuteByBike.com. The be-all, end-all site for bike commuters, in my opinion, that is.

This site even has a category containing about 40 posts called Commuting 101, that is quintessential to those of us just beginning (or beginning to think about) bike commuting.

This site says that the three most common causes for a vehicle hitting a bike are:

• Driver turns left in front of an on-coming cyclist who is going straight through an intersection
• The driver doesn't stop at a stop sign
• Driver passes a cyclist and turns right, directly across their path

Here are some points from CommuteByBike's list of essential tips for beginning cyclists:


WEAR A HELMET!!!!

Be predictable: Make eye contact. Ride on the correct side of the road, not against traffic. Look behind you before you make a turn or lane change, that lets drivers know you're up to something. Use hand signals (not THAT one) and don't wobble around. Don't weave in and out of the lane when parked cars are spread out.

Take the lane: Don't be afraid to get out in the middle of the lane in stop-and-go traffic, when changing lanes to make a left turn and to avoid being "doored." You WILL be tempted to blow past a line of cars queued up at a stop light; don't, just take your place in the middle of the lane and take your turn.

Read the rest of the post for more essentials, like how to make sure your route is the same as the hot chicks' in spandex (hey, don't shoot the messenger).

What are some of your favorite tips, suggestions, and tools for planning and enjoying safe bike rides and commutes?