Bicycles are the solution to many modern day problems: every person who chooses to go by bike helps curb traffic congestion and air pollution, strengthens our communities, and decreases our dependence on foreign oil. Here's how you can help encourage more people to go by bike:

1. Check the bike lane.

When turning right across a bike lane, always look behind you for a bicyclist; bikes can travel fast enough to catch up with you even if you passed them more than a block ago. If someone is approaching, wait and yield rather than trying to “beat” them. Think of the bike lane like a train track – never sit and idle on it, don’t start across until you know you can clear it.

2. Pass with ample room.

Except over a double yellow line, you can cross the center line to pass a bicyclist safely, as long as oncoming traffic is clear. Passing close, especially over 25 mph, is very scary for cyclists.

3. Don’t honk to communicate with cyclists unless there’s an emergency.

If your horn sounds loud from inside your car, imagine how loud and shocking it is from just in front of it.

4. Don’t follow closely.

This is scary and intimidating. Bicyclists prefer to be out of your way as soon as possible but often need to be in the lane for some reason.

5. Allow bicyclists to use crosswalks.

They are allowed, and some timid bicyclists rely on them for safe crossings

6. Be cautious in residential neighborhoods.

Bicyclists like to use quiet streets to get around, so if you are sloppy or impatient at stop signs you risk hitting someone on a silent or vulnerable vehicle. It is really important to slow and stop before stop signs, rather than after, and then ease into the intersection to see if cross traffic is clear. Children riding bikes or running on the sidewalk may not see you and if you aren't slowing down before they cross the street, you could run them over.

7. Look for cyclists before opening your door.

When parking on the street, make sure you’re not opening your car door into the path of a cyclist.

8. Use good manners.

Apologize if you make a mistake and it will go a long way; eye contact and waves are very humanizing, especially in the stress of rush-hour traffic.

9. Give children extra space.

Children on bicycles are often more wobbly than adults, and more likely to turn or stop suddenly without looking or signaling. It is best not to pass a child on a bicycle unless you have many feet of space and proceed extremely slowly.