Eli_Damon
I sent an email message containing to following text to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. I have included the relevant passage of the Driver's Manual below.
Hi. I am writing to inform you of a few errors in the Driver's Manual. I ask that you correct these errors. They occur in Chapter 4: "Rules of the Road" on pages 142 and 143 under the heading "Rules for Bicyclists".
The first error concerns the item which begins "You must ride on the right side of the roadway, unless you are turning left." There are three problems with this item that I am aware of:
(1) In addition to the case in which a cyclist is making a left turn, there are many other cases in which a cyclist should move well away from the right side of the road. For example, the cyclist might be proceeding straight through an intersection which has a right-turn-only lane or a highway on-ramp or the cyclist might be passing a slower-moving vehicle.
(2) The phrase "right side" is vague and misleading. It can easily be interpreted as encouraging cyclists to "hug" the edge of the road despite the presence of copious hazards which they could avoid by taking a position farther to the left.
(3) I don't know if there is a precise definition of "roadway" elsewhere in the manual but, without a precise definition, it is unclear whether the term "roadway" includes the shoulders, bike lanes, and/or parking zones. If these areas are meant to be included, then this item is incorrect, since cyclists are legally entitled to use the regular travel lanes regardless of the
existence of a shoulder, bike lane, or parking zone. In fact, *shoulders, bike lanes and parking zones are thought by many to be extremely hazardous places for cyclists operate.
The second error concerns the item beginning "For nighttime operation..." At night a cyclist must wear reflective ankle bands only if their bicycle does not have pedal reflectors. There is also some controversy since the law does
not take into account shoes adorned with reflective strips which are usually part of clipless pedal systems.
Rules for Bicyclists
When you are riding a bicycle on public ways, state law subjects you to the same basic laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle operators.
• You must obey all traffic signs and signals, ride single file with the flow of traffic, and yield to pedestrians.
• You must ride on the right side of the roadway, unless you are turning left. To turn left, signal, look, and move into the lane closest to the center line.
• It is strongly recommended that you avoid listening to headphones while riding.
• Before entering or crossing a roadway, you should stop, look left, look right, and look left again for traffic—even if it is a one-way street.
• When preparing to merge, stop, or turn, use hand signals to communicate your intentions to other roadway users. You may use either hand to signal.
• Use an audible signal bell, horn, or your voice to warn pedestrians.
• For nighttime operation, your bike must be equipped with a white headlight, red taillight, and/or rear reflector, pedal reflectors, and side reflectors. In addition, you must wear reflective ankle bands.
• You may use sidewalks outside business districts, unless there is a local ordinance prohibiting it.
• When operating on a sidewalk, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
State law requires that all bicyclists 16 years of age or younger must wear approved helmets when bicycling or riding as passengers on public ways or property. A properly fitted and fastened helmet sits just above the eyebrows. As an adult, you can set an important example for children by always wearing a helmet when cycling.
Hi. I am writing to inform you of a few errors in the Driver's Manual. I ask that you correct these errors. They occur in Chapter 4: "Rules of the Road" on pages 142 and 143 under the heading "Rules for Bicyclists".
The first error concerns the item which begins "You must ride on the right side of the roadway, unless you are turning left." There are three problems with this item that I am aware of:
(1) In addition to the case in which a cyclist is making a left turn, there are many other cases in which a cyclist should move well away from the right side of the road. For example, the cyclist might be proceeding straight through an intersection which has a right-turn-only lane or a highway on-ramp or the cyclist might be passing a slower-moving vehicle.
(2) The phrase "right side" is vague and misleading. It can easily be interpreted as encouraging cyclists to "hug" the edge of the road despite the presence of copious hazards which they could avoid by taking a position farther to the left.
(3) I don't know if there is a precise definition of "roadway" elsewhere in the manual but, without a precise definition, it is unclear whether the term "roadway" includes the shoulders, bike lanes, and/or parking zones. If these areas are meant to be included, then this item is incorrect, since cyclists are legally entitled to use the regular travel lanes regardless of the
existence of a shoulder, bike lane, or parking zone. In fact, *shoulders, bike lanes and parking zones are thought by many to be extremely hazardous places for cyclists operate.
The second error concerns the item beginning "For nighttime operation..." At night a cyclist must wear reflective ankle bands only if their bicycle does not have pedal reflectors. There is also some controversy since the law does
not take into account shoes adorned with reflective strips which are usually part of clipless pedal systems.
Rules for Bicyclists
When you are riding a bicycle on public ways, state law subjects you to the same basic laws and regulations that apply to motor vehicle operators.
• You must obey all traffic signs and signals, ride single file with the flow of traffic, and yield to pedestrians.
• You must ride on the right side of the roadway, unless you are turning left. To turn left, signal, look, and move into the lane closest to the center line.
• It is strongly recommended that you avoid listening to headphones while riding.
• Before entering or crossing a roadway, you should stop, look left, look right, and look left again for traffic—even if it is a one-way street.
• When preparing to merge, stop, or turn, use hand signals to communicate your intentions to other roadway users. You may use either hand to signal.
• Use an audible signal bell, horn, or your voice to warn pedestrians.
• For nighttime operation, your bike must be equipped with a white headlight, red taillight, and/or rear reflector, pedal reflectors, and side reflectors. In addition, you must wear reflective ankle bands.
• You may use sidewalks outside business districts, unless there is a local ordinance prohibiting it.
• When operating on a sidewalk, you must yield the right of way to pedestrians.
State law requires that all bicyclists 16 years of age or younger must wear approved helmets when bicycling or riding as passengers on public ways or property. A properly fitted and fastened helmet sits just above the eyebrows. As an adult, you can set an important example for children by always wearing a helmet when cycling.