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Old 10-13-08, 10:22 AM
  #12  
BlazingPedals
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Location: Middle of da Mitten
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Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

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Varies by state as to situations where taking the lane is permitted. In Michigan there is a 'no mandatory sidepath' law. So a paved shoulder or bike lane being there would be immaterial. I don't like riding in bike lanes or on shoulders because that's where all the flat-causing debris is. Also, we are allowed to take the lane if it is too narrow to safely share (minimum 3-foot passing rule, which means anything under 14 feet wide would be considered 'substandard.') Ironically, these rules mean I often take the lane when, if there were simply a wide outside lane, I would be able to safely ride further to the right.

Bike lanes don't exist for the convenience of cars, although I'm sure that's what they think. Bike lanes exist because too many beginner riders ask for them, believing that a 4" wide paint line will somehow keep those big bad cars from rear-ending them.
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