Comments for Bicycle Driving

Comment on Motorists Should Know by Vernon Huffman

Vernon Huffman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:44:33 +0000

Look at the accident statistics. Provided a bicycle has adequate visibility, it is relatively rare that they get hit from the rear. Most accidents happen when a vehicle is entering or leaving the stream of traffic. Statistics will show that bicyclists on the sidewalk are more likely to get hit by a car than those on the street are. Sidewalks cross driveways and streets. Drivers are not looking for a rapid vehicle on a sidewalk.

The important thing for the motorist to realize is that the bicyclist may not know the safest thing to do. The bicyclist may be a child or developmentally disabled. You can no more demand that they perform to rule than you can require safety training for deer.

When you get behind the wheel of a car, you might as well be putting your finger onto the trigger of a loaded gun. Presumably, you have a license to control the hazard. Please remember what it said in your driver’s manual about slow moving vehicles, like bicycles. “When approaching a slow moving vehicle from the rear, slow down and stay a safe distance behind until there is enough space to safely pass on the left.”

Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by danc

danc — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:02:22 +0000

Paul, I checked all the states that permitted two abreast cycling unless impeding traffic. No change except for Alabama. Alabama never had a two abreast with restriction since 1980.

Section 32-5A-263 Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/32-5A-263.htm
(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(c) Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(Acts 1980, No. 80-434, p. 604, §12-105.)

Thank you for sharing this information, it’s been interesting to research.

Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by danc

danc — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:56:53 +0000

Thanks Paul, I’ll update you on the States which allow two abreast unless impeding.

Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by Paul Schimek

Paul Schimek — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:05:05 +0000

I checked my original spreadsheet from 2001. You should double-check these of course, since they may have changed. Here are the states that then permitted two abreast unless impeding:
Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming

States where two abreast explicitly allowed without restrictions:
Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia

Also note that since 2009 Massachusetts permits two abreast, and calls out that all drivers need to move right when being passed, if reasonably possible (I wrote that section).

Comment on Guide to Improving Laws by danc

danc — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:42:43 +0000

Do you have list of states with categorize by two-abreast laws? I’m looking for an example of state which permits two-abreast unless traffic is impeded.

Comment on Bike Lanes by Ken Walker

Ken Walker — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:07:18 +0000

Quebec’s mandatory requirement has been removed as far as I know.

Comment on Motorists Should Know by Kirk

Kirk — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 03:56:01 +0000

To selfish motorist. I see what you’re trying to say between the lines here. O.K. that’s fine. I’ll say it IN the lines. If you want to try to use a fifty cent word where it doesn’t really apply I’m game. Inertia, often measured in foot pounds of force is indeed on the side of the larger vehicle. Because of thick headed motorists who believe the way you do, (Riding on the sidewalk is Illegal where I live by the way) I have taken to carrying something in my tire bag that greatly evens up the disparity in vehicle weight. If you’re going to try to scare or “graze” me with your car/truck, you had better kill me. If I catch back up to you which is what happens most of the time, my inertia equalizer will be used to make certain you think twice before doing it again.

I don’t like to come off this way. You must understand however, no matter how you feel about my bicycle being on “YOUR” road, you have no right whether legal, ethical, or moral to use your vehicle as a weapon for your inability to maintain your temper, or, to leave enough time for yourself so that seeing a bicycle riding along is not going to turn your face red and foam to leave your mouth.

I’ve had too many occasions wherein a man or woman who’s in dire need of anger management classes think it’s perfectly O.K. to throw things out the window at me, honk their horn, screech the tires by dangerous braking, or even to actually hit me with their car. These were all occasions where I was thoroughly obeying all traffic laws pertaining to the jurisdiction I’m riding in.

Here’s a good rule of thumb no matter how you feel about bike vs motor vehicle laws and venues. Treat others the way you would want to be treated yourself. It’s quite simple actually. And if you’re really that mad because you think that bicycle is going to make you late for work, then you need to learn to leave yourself enough time so that this type of stress ceases to occur. This is as a matter of fact the only thing you have control over in said situation.

Please! What would you do if it were your child on that bicycle? Remember, DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU. It’s an easy one to follow really.

Comment on Motorists Should Know by Paul Schimek

Paul Schimek — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:23:09 +0000

@Greg — Is it obvious that “having a vehicle going less than half the speed of another in the same direction is insanity”? In your example, with one travel lane and on street parking, how do you get into the parking? You stop (0 mph) and back up (negative mph). So how come it’s perfectly sane to have motorists parallel parking (or double-parking), but somehow insane to have bicyclists traveling much faster?
Also, bicycles are narrow. If the travel lane and parking lane are a just a few feet wider than the minimums in the design manuals, as is often the case, especially if there is only one travel lane, there is plenty of room for motorists to pass bicyclists just by crowding toward the center of the road, even if the bicyclist is safely outside the door zone.
If you are concerned about bicyclists breaking the traffic law — as indeed am I — please tell Denver police and politicians that they should enforce the law even-handedly, including ticketing bicyclists. Also make sure they have some plainclothes officers on bikes in case there are still motorists who don’t know that bicyclists have equal rights.

Comment on Motorists Should Know by greg

greg — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:50:20 +0000

I live in Denver, land of the bicyclist… if there is a bike lane, great.. have at it.. but as you all know, most roads are built to have parking on each side, and then room for one car. They simply aren’t constructed for both types of vehicles… unless speed limit maximums are reduced significantly, having a vehicle going less than half the speed of another in the same direction is insanity. Of course it would be a better world if more people rode bikes to work, etc… gas prices are ridiculous and it’s horrible for the planet. But since most drivers are pretty indifferent to bicyclists, and at least a third of bicyclists fail to observe even the most basic rules of the road, having them only ride on safer roads with observed bike lanes makes sense. It isn’t that motorists are being rude, it’s that cars used to much lighter, slower and easier to coexist with bikes. Times change. Roads haven’t. Period.

Comment on Motorists Should Know by Crawford

Crawford — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:12:51 +0000

CE Benz, I too live in Seattle, and I know what you mean there are A LOT of bicyclists who don’t obey any rules, and it is annoying. However, I don’t think that’s what we’re arguing. Sidewalks are for things without wheels, people. Bike’s were on the roads long before cars. In many areas there aren’t even sidewalks for bikes to be on. Or, have you ever been to new york city? Do you think a bike could make it through the sidewalks there? Also just as an aside, I think some biker’s do register their bike with the city. I think bike’s should be ticketed just the same as cars. However, I think there are a lot of asshole driver’s out there who do force bikes off the road and they deserve tickets for it.

Dennis, correct me if I’m wrong but I have seen back hoes drive (at probably 5 mph) where cars had to wait to go around. I’m pretty sure a lot of those things can go on the road if they want, most likely they aren’t practical. I have even seen a video of a man driving a lawn mower on a rural road with a beer, and get pulled over and given a DUI.