I know the fingerprint of the streets that I frequently ride. I know where most of the potholes are and how to avoid them.
It hasn't always been that way. When I started commuting, I was startled by many of the bumps in the road. Now I anticipate the problems. I can avoid a the bumps and dips, and I can slow down or cushion the force for obstacles that I can’t be completely avoided.
In most areas, the shoulder is a total mess. There’s debris near the edge; rocks and gravel, glass and litter. Also, the worst potholes occur on the side of the road. It is a dangerous place to be on a bike. Swerving around this flotsam can send you into traffic. It is just better to travel in traffic, and act like a car.
The potholes and debris are an unintended consequence of the design of roads. Most roads have a high center crown that runs the length of the road. This is to make the water drain quickly from the road for the safety of the traffic. Once the water is to the side of the road, there is often a storm drain to transport the water away from the area.
The slope and moving water have several effects:
- Debris on the road tends to move toward the sides.
- Water that doesn’t quickly drain away stays on the side of the road.
- Water that pools in one location will cause the road to deteriorate and cracks and potholes to form.
- The storm drains are, themselves, hazards to cyclists.
If the shoulder is very wide, traffic is moving fast, and there aren’t cars parked in it, it can make a lot of sense to ride in the shoulder.
