Wellington's windy, busy roads and blind corners can be intimidating, here are some tips and tricks to help you become a pro at getting around that tricky bend or through the heavy CBD and weekend traffic.
Windy roads:
- See – ride in a position on the road that allows you to see what is coming up ahead of you
- Be seen – ride in a position on the road that enables you to be seen by other road users
- Communicate – if you can maintain good control of your bike with one hand, communicate your intentions with a hand signal
- If you are going downhill, ride at a speed so you can stop if something unexpected happens around the corner
- If there is no room for a vehicle to overtake, you may feel like riding in the middle of the lane so they don't try and sneak by too closely
- Don't be afraid to take the lane* if you deem it necessary
- If you take the lane, move back to the left as soon as is practical and safe
Heavy traffic:
- The same principles as riding on windy roads apply
- See – ride in a position on the road that allows you to clearly see what's happening ahead
- Be seen – ride in a position on the road that allows you to be seen by other road users
- Communicate – if you can maintain good control of your bike with one hand, communicate your intentions with hand signals
- Where possible, try to make eye contact with people driving cars so you know they have seen you
- If traffic is stationary it is possible to ride up the left of the queue. If you are not comfortable doing this you can just take your place in the traffic queue
* Take the lane – where you deem it safer to do so, you may ride in the middle of the lane. This may happen when you are riding past a line of parked cars or riding around tight corners, and there is decreased visibility ahead. You are always within your rights to take the lane if you think it is safer to do so.
