I ride my bike to work a few days a week. Alas, I've joined the ranks of pedal pushers that brave the roads for one reason or another. My reasons are multifold: bicycling is good exercise, I save on gas and I get to take in the scenery. For instance, riding to my office on The Alameda has led me to discover the other side of the Los Gatos Creek Trail--the side that runs to the east of the Pruneyard shopping center.

I enjoy this new path. However, getting to it requires me to traverse city streets, which has heightened my awareness of the pitfalls of street riding, with safety being at the top of the list. I often find myself in unsafe situations, such as dodging a car that doesn't come to a complete stop at a crosswalk or having a car cut me off while trying to turn a corner. I imagine the drivers think they have the right of way. But in certain cases they don't--particularly when the bicyclist is lawfully riding on the roadway. This means we have to abide by the same rules as automobiles, such as stopping at red lights and stop signs, and indicating when we are turning.

I realize motorists aren't out to get bicyclists, although there have been cases of road rage against cyclists (Close Encounters, The Campbell Reporter, Nov. 10, 2004). Nonetheless, I find myself having to be on the defensive when sharing the road with vehicles.

For instance, I hesitate crossing the street at a signal light once it turns green until I see the pedestrian sign light up, indicating it's time to cross. I guess I could proceed without the sign, but I've found that to be a dangerous move as well, as cars have cut me off in their attempt to turn right.

Perhaps the passage of State Assembly Bill AB 56, on Aug. 17, that allows for the use of bicycle traffic signals statewide will give me confidence, but that remains to be seen as I have yet to experience this technology, which is currently in effect in Davis. According to reports, the signals have decreased the number of accidents involving automobiles and bicyclists.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that all drivers are dangerous or insensitive to bicyclists. I, too, drive a car. And not all bicyclists are angels either. Perhaps it's unconscious on the part of drivers to not be aware of cyclists, but I ask that they pay attention, because there are more of us on the road. Motorists are obligated to educate themselves on the rights of bicyclists.

And that should go for pedestrians, too. Just last week I was riding at a decent clip down a main thoroughfare when a man darted out in front of me to cross the street against a red light. While pedestrians have the right of way, in California anyway, I would hope that they use common sense when encountering a cyclist. Did this certain pedestrian assume I would slam on my brakes and fly over my handlebars just to avoid him? That's exactly what would have happened if I had. Thanks to my keen reflexes, I avoided a possible collision.

If city streets pose a risk for cyclists, you would think the bike lane would be a safe haven at least, but it's not. In fact it's almost a magnet for collisions. First, someone in a parked car could open a door into a cyclist's path. Second, a motorist could pull out of a driveway or side street and into the bike lane without checking for riders, something I often encounter when riding.

Even though there are laws in place that govern, and somewhat protect, cyclists, the road to safety is paved with potholes until motorists acknowledge bicyclists for the moving vehicles we are.

Cynthia Bournellis is the editor of the Almaden Resident. She can be reached at 408.200.1066 or cbournellis@community-newspapers.com.