advice/thoughts on local cycling

[gingicat]

I am seeking anecdotal advice about cycling in the Somerville-Medford-Malden area. Even the amazing Susan McLucas could not teach me to ride a bicycle (I can't keep myself from looking down on a turn) so I am considering investing in an adult tricycle with or without power assist. (I can fall down and bang myself up while walking with something in my hands that throws my balance off-center, too.)

My issue is that as a motorist, I have noticed that I often don't have room to pass a cyclist. I keep pace with the cyclist until I can safely pass with two or more feet between the side of the car and the cyclist. I very much appreciate the roads painted with the indication that cyclists are allowed to ride down the middle of the car lane!

How well is this honored? Am I a typical motorist when it comes to cyclist safety?

Comments

[totient]

Anecdotally, drivers generally aren't obnoxious but some are inexperienced with passing bikes and don't know how much space they're really leaving you. The more bikes there are around generally, the less this is a problem.

Statistically, passing is an insignificant fraction of bike collisions. The danger is at intersections and the issue is almost always misjudging time or speed, not distance.