Staying safe on the road

[pagheca]

After discussing how to protect our bikes, I’d like to bring up how to protect ourselves... I’m not talking about downhill or trail safety this time, but about everyday riding in cities or on busy roads.

I recently moved to a city in Northern Italy and, honestly, I’m shocked by the behavior I see daily, not only from drivers, always aggressive and irresponsible, but also from cyclists and pedestrians.

Every single day feels like a videogame: cyclists riding at night with no lights, running red lights in heavy traffic, wearing dark clothing with zero visibility, and maybe one helmet for every 10–20 riders. I’ve even considered filming my daily commute because it’s such a crazy obstacle course out there. A colleague just told me this morning about a cyclist who was hit today in front of him while running a red light: he ended up flat on the ground because the driver simply didn’t see him.

And pedestrians? Even when they have a wide sidewalk available, they just stroll onto the bike lane — often two or three side-by-side — crossing without looking!!!

As for me, I try to be as visible and prepared as possible: high-visibility clothing, helmet always on, lights permanently on (flashing during the day and steady at night in front), and a small mirror attached to my helmet which I find incredibly useful. See picture below (on my way to work this morning)

How about you? What do you do to stay safe while riding in traffic?

• Do you wear high-visibility or reflective clothing?
• Helmet every ride, or only in certain situations?
• Do you keep your lights on during the day as well, both front and rear, possibly flashing?
• How strictly do you follow traffic rules when riding in the city?
• Do you have mirrors on your ebike?
• And… be honest: is your e-bike fully legal, or has it been “enhanced” a bit beyond the standard limits?
• Any other accessories, habits, experience in your place, or tips to share?

 

[Joecrow]

Important subject.:- I come from a motorcycling background, I rode motor bikes summer and winter for many years in the UK and for a couple of summer years here in Germany, then bicycles and most recently E-bikes. The key to staying safe and alive on 2 wheels is to be seen and ride defensively, always assume other road users are out to get you, if a car is waiting to join the road you are on from a side turning they will almost always turn out in front of you and in the event of a collision or near collision claim you were going too fast!. We need to understand the standard 4 or more wheel vehicle drivers are not reliably able to determine how close or how fast a 2 wheel vehicle is approacing them!
I always wear a crash helmet and gloves (can save some really nasty hand injuries even for a quite low speed fall). I ride day and night with lights on (not flashing ones which I believe are illegal in Germany). I'm not big on high visibility clothing, only my rain jacket, my city bike is equipped with left and right wing mirrors and turn indicators, my bikes are legal and I follow the rules of the road, unlike many who seem to think red lights are not for cyclists.

 

[irie]

We don't ride in cities. Don't ride at night. Always wear helmets and gloves. Only on road going to/from offroad then have lights on to try to avoid SMIDSY accidents. Legal bikes.

 

[Silent1]

Get a radar rear light and connect it to your bike computer or phone, being able to see 1, 2, 3 or more cars coming up behind with a graduated warning and flash pattern (where legal, static elsewhere) based on closing speed is something I’d never ride without now.
Even on trails you get warnings of other riders approaching.
The garmin Varia is what I use, but there’s lezyne, wahoo and others, buy what is compatible or you can afford

 

[pagheca]

Don't ride in cities. Don't ride at night.

(Reading again your post I suspect you mean that "YOU don't ride in cities and at night", not, as I interpreted before "you SHOULD not ride in cities and at night...". Correct?)

Personally, I think cycling in cities is essential. Not only for sustainability, but also to reduce traffic. Here in Bologna, as in many parts of Europe, promoting cycling is considered the key solutions to tackling congestion and pollution. Just look at how air quality in Paris has changed since 2007 to 2024 because of improved bike lanes (from https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2025/04/12/air-pollution-paris-health-cars/).

I also simply love commuting by e-bike. It gives me a real sense of freedom. My route is about 3 km on a quiet hilly road, 3 km on a cycle path (the most dangerous part...), and 3 km along a wild track next to a small river. There is where yesterady I took the photo in the first post of this thread. Being able to move a bit, breathe fresh air, and spend a moment in nature instead of sitting bumper-to-bumper with cars is really important to me—and I don’t want to give that up.

I lived in two cities in your beautiful country, Cardiff and Manchester and I did the same. Especially in Manchester, riding every morning along the canal was my moment of freedom, whatever the weather or temperature!

 

[irie]

(Rading again your post I suspect you mean that "YOU don't ride in cities and at night",

We do not ride eMTBs in cities neither do we ride eMTBs at night.

By "we" I mean my wife and myself.

Hope this is clear for you.

 

[The Hodge]

I recently moved to a city in Northern Italy and, honestly, I’m shocked by the behavior I see daily, not only from drivers, always aggressive and irresponsible, but also from cyclists and pedestrians.

Really ?
Im shocked that you are shocked ..I thought that it was commonly known that Italian drivers with their Latin temperament are regarded as the worst in the world .
Thankfully in terms of riding my bike I live 30 miles away from my nearest city ( Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England ) and in the opposite direction 20 miles from my nearest town ( Hexham , Northumberland ) and do my very best even locally to spend as little time as possible riding on the road...only then is it used as a link to get to off-road tracks.
I don't think I've ever ridden in a city ..and hopefully never will

 

[Eliadn]

After discussing how to protect our bikes, I’d like to bring up how to protect ourselves... I’m not talking about downhill or trail safety this time, but about everyday riding in cities or on busy roads.

I recently moved to a city in Northern Italy and, honestly, I’m shocked by the behavior I see daily, not only from drivers, always aggressive and irresponsible, but also from cyclists and pedestrians.

Every single day feels like a videogame: cyclists riding at night with no lights, running red lights in heavy traffic, wearing dark clothing with zero visibility, and maybe one helmet for every 10–20 riders. I’ve even considered filming my daily commute because it’s such a crazy obstacle course out there. A colleague just told me this morning about a cyclist who was hit today in front of him while running a red light: he ended up flat on the ground because the driver simply didn’t see him.

And pedestrians? Even when they have a wide sidewalk available, they just stroll onto the bike lane — often two or three side-by-side — crossing without looking!!!

As for me, I try to be as visible and prepared as possible: high-visibility clothing, helmet always on, lights permanently on (flashing during the day and steady at night in front), and a small mirror attached to my helmet which I find incredibly useful. See picture below (on my way to work this morning)

How about you? What do you do to stay safe while riding in traffic?

• Do you wear high-visibility or reflective clothing?
• Helmet every ride, or only in certain situations?
• Do you keep your lights on during the day as well, both front and rear, possibly flashing?
• How strictly do you follow traffic rules when riding in the city?
• Do you have mirrors on your ebike?
• And… be honest: is your e-bike fully legal, or has it been “enhanced” a bit beyond the standard limits?
• Any other accessories, habits, experience in your place, or tips to share?

View attachment 171662

Damn you just described every single day in my city. Add to that food delivery guys without any lights whatsoever, dark clothing and 99% of them have added bafang motors to their piece of crap 20y old bikes so they can easily go 40+ km/h on sidewalks or randomly cross roads. Every day feels like a lottery
I'm probably the only idiot with helmet waiting for a green light.

 

[pagheca]

Really ?
Im shocked that you are shocked ..I thought that it was commonly known that Italian drivers with their Latin temperament are regarded as the worst in the world .
Thankfully in terms of riding my bike I live 30 miles away from my nearest city ( Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England ) and in the opposite direction 20 miles from my nearest town ( Hexham , Northumberland ) and do my very best even locally to spend as little time as possible riding on the road...only then is it used as a link to get to off-road tracks.
I don't think I've ever ridden in a city ..and hopefully never will

Please, I am Italian.

And I want to be honest: driving is definitely not one of our strong qualities. After living abroad in several countries and continents for more than a quarter of a century, I have to admit that despite many wonderful aspects of our culture, I often feel ashamed of how Italians drive and behave in public spaces. I was hoping to find something better here than what I was used to in my hometown, Rome, when I was younger.

But even here, the behavior of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians is often completely irrational. Just yesterday, a young cyclist was killed on a road I have ridden so many times. It’s heartbreaking and, frankly, absurd: Camion investe bici a Bologna, morta una 23enne.

Actually, this horrible accident triggered this thread. Since the beginning of this year 207 cyclists were killed in italy in road accidents, but I do not want to give up, but rather protest and do whatever I can to support sustainable mobility here.

I will also buy a camera to document the foolishness of people on the road here.

 

[pagheca]

Add to that food delivery guys without any lights whatsoever, dark clothing and 99% of them have added bafang motors to their piece of crap 20y old bikes so they can easily go 40+ km/h on sidewalks or randomly cross roads. Every day feels like a lottery

you described exactly what I experience here too, every single day.

I'm probably the only idiot with helmet waiting for a green light.

Welcome to the group. I am the other idiot, then...

 

[Samoaj]

I am very cautious on the road. I always wear a helmet when I am on the bike (bright orange POC). When I am commuting or on the road I use lights and I normally have a bright orange dry bag and when raining an orange coat. The roads I normally travel on are country hilly roads and the people around me don’t drive sensibly.

 

[Just gan]

Use quiet back roads if on road bike . Scary everywhere I just don't get it when I pass roadies on busy roads , head down arse up

 

[BuckSaw]

I've been riding on the road since the early 90s. Mainly commuting, but also a lot of road riding, racing, and touring/bikepacking. I've had many close calls, luckily, I've only been hit twice and bumped a few more times. Some of my friends have experienced traumatic major injuries after being hit, but thankfully none have died on the road.

A lot of my rides feature a road section when getting to the trailhead or when stringing together a gravel route. However, I try to avoid road riding in general now. I sold my road bike five years ago because I find it was becoming more dangerous due to the increase in distracted drivers. Seriously, what's so important on their phone that it can't wait until they get home?

I strive to maintain situational awareness when I'm on the road by always looking around and listening. Ride predictably, follow the rules of the road, and always expect cagers (car drivers) to take the stupidest or most dangerous action available to them. Finally, have front and rear flashing lights, and wear visible kit.

 

[Just gan]

I've been riding on the road since the early 90s. Mainly commuting, but also a lot of road riding, racing, and touring/bikepacking. I've had many close calls, luckily, I've only been hit twice and bumped a few more times. Some of my friends have experienced traumatic major injuries after being hit, but thankfully none have died on the road.

A lot of my rides feature a road section when getting to the trailhead or when stringing together a gravel route. However, I try to avoid road riding in general now. I sold my road bike five years ago because I find it was becoming more dangerous due to the increase in distracted drivers. Seriously, what's so important on their phone that it can't wait until they get home?

I strive to maintain situational awareness when I'm on the road by always looking around and listening. Ride predictably, follow the rules of the road, and always expect cagers (car drivers) to take the stupidest or most dangerous action available to them. Finally, have front and rear flashing lights, and wear visible kit.

I regret not doing more road touring trips. I did Lofoton a few years ago not too busy. I would like to do Andermatt to Rotterdam eurovelo 15

 

[BuckSaw]

I regret not doing more road touring trips. I did Lofoton a few years ago not too busy. I would like to do Andermatt to Rotterdam eurovelo 15

Bikepacking the North Coast 500 is on my bucket list.

 

[Just gan]

Bikepacking the North Coast 500 is on my bucket list.

I was a keen hill walker so went round bits of that route many times before it was called that. Not sure I would cycle it now though but i have done probably about 200 miles of it at different times. Enjoy if you do get to do it

 

[EMTBSEAN]

I must admit I don’t ride in a city either, I also only ride on roads if I absolutely have to, here in the UK driving standards or drivers attitude towards cyclists is pretty poor, I have had some near misses and a frightening close pass from a HGV that mentally scared me for life, I personally don’t wear hi-viz clothing only because I refuse to have to make myself highly visible to drivers who should be paying attention to other people around them, I do wear a bright red jacket or jersey though and I’m not exactly what you’d call skinny so if drivers can’t see me they need to give up driving, and I always wear a lid as well, the only time I remove it is when my ride is over

 

[pagheca]

I must admit I don’t ride in a city either, I also only ride on roads if I absolutely have to, here in the UK driving standards or drivers attitude towards cyclists is pretty poor, I have had some near misses and a frightening close pass from a HGV that mentally scared me for life, I personally don’t wear hi-viz clothing only because I refuse to have to make myself highly visible to drivers who should be paying attention to other people around them, I do wear a bright red jacket or jersey though and I’m not exactly what you’d skinny so if drivers can’t see me they need to give up driving, and I always wear a lid as well, the only time I remove it is when my ride is over

actually, according to this review high viz clothing impact on personal safety is limited, but non zero. However, the author points to a large number of studies that have found gains in night-time visibility and conspicuity when retroreflective material or lights are placed on cyclists’ joints, particularly when situated on cyclists’ ankles, thighs and knees.