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As you well know, the relationship between bikes and cars in summer is not always a happy one. Thus, as we head into fall – a time of new beginnings – I am offering up some etiquette tips for you and your fellow drivers. After all, given how much gas costs, you may find more and more of us cyclists out there on your morning and afternoon drives. The hope is that, by making a few things clear and by setting out some very simple guidelines, we might find a way to peacefully share the road.

…And already I see I have introduced a term that may be somewhat alien to you: “share.” How about we make that our first point?

Share the road

We cyclists know that, when it comes to road-building and overall transportation policy, we are little more than an afterthought, at best. In this city, the car is king. The recent creation of the Toronto Cyclists Union, an advocacy and action group made up of long-time cycle activists and casual bikers alike, is a hopeful sign, but for the moment, we are at your mercy. Which is why we ask you, ever so humbly, to accept our legitimacy, to not treat bikers like intruders upon your sacred stretch of pavement. Everything else I have to offer flows from that simple request.

Look before you turn, stop, park or open the door

... and the last point refers to you, too, taxi passengers.

This is a big part of sharing the road. Lacking your protective glass-and-steel exoskeleton, we bikers are vulnerable to the slightest knock. What would perhaps be only a fender-bender or a scratch to you could to us be a life-threatening accident. Is it any wonder that the bike couriers who whip up and down Bay Street are so crazy? Asking that you check to see that we are not already occupying, or about to occupy, the space you're planning to move into seems a small consideration.

Turn off the cellphone

Especially relevant in a case where being fully aware of your surroundings is vital. Seems a bit rude to place a business call above structural integrity of our skulls.

Try a little patience

It's true that traffic congestion is always slowing you down and threatening to make you late, but really – pausing to allow bikes to pass before making a turn across their lane is not going to make things that much worse.

Slow down

There is nothing better than to be hurtling along a smooth country road in a fast car with no one around forever, but downtown streets are not country roads and there are an awful lot of us around, so take it easy.

Be forgiving

Bikers aren't angels, we're the first to admit that, and sometimes we bend and break the rules of the road – either out of self-defence or just 'cause. Don't hate us for it. After all, we're usually only risking our own lives. Which is far different from when, say, a car breaks the rules.