Road Cycling - road riding on interstate hwys

I read last evening that some states permit bicycles to use limited access interstate highways. I always thought this to be illegal. If not, does anyone know where a list of states permitting such riding might be obtained? In addition, does anyone know whether bikes are permitted on the old federal highways (such as Rt 40 or Rt 30) that have been replace by nearby limited interstate highways?

John

You're out of luck in Ohio as far as freeway riding goes. No dice.

Except-- Ohio has a bunch of roads whose status is very hard to figure out. When I was riding in Northern Ohio I would come across the strangest roads. In many places they were just arterial roads, with access from adjoining private property, intersections (with ped crossings), and traffic controls. Just a mile or so down these roads would appear concrete barriers, and entrance and exit ramps! All without warning. What the hell?

I could never tell if I was permitted to ride on such roads. There were no "bikes, peds prohibited" signs, and the road was just marked with the state number-- just the regular white sign with a black number. However, the exits and high speed entrances were a clue that this road wasn't designed with the needs of the cycling public in mind.

I went ahead and rode on the roads. I was passed by a cop at least once without incident. That's not the best evidence it's legal to ride on these roads, of course. In the end, I don't know what to say.

For sure you can't ride on the interstates, but in Ohio you don't need to to get anywhere. Based on my limited experience I'd ride on anything else until I was told otherwise by the local constabularly.

I just can't imagine anyone wanting to do that, or any jurisdiction crazy enough to allow it. Especially in the litigation capital of the world.

They do allow it in Spain on the equivalent of Interstates. And last February the Ochoa (non-Spanish spelling) brothers and a friend were hit while training. One brother and the friend died, the other brother was able to be out in public for the first time last month.

No thanks.

Cheers...Gary

California law says cyclists can use freeways, only if no other route is available. On my tour last September had to use them. If not no connection between north and south. Usually the margin in rural areas is wide enough you can get way away from the traffic lanes.

In Colorado, for vast distances, the interstate is the only feasible system for bicycles. In fact, you can go on I-25 from Colorado Springs to Trinidad - about 150 miles - perfectly legally. This is a low use freeway with excellent wide shoulders. and is safer than corresponding surface roads.

Most western states allow this on certain stretches.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
California law says cyclists can use freeways, only if no other route is available.

LoL, I was hoping someone would say it was legal in California. When I was there a couple years ago for the Nat. Championships, the training ride I was on just happened to veer onto a highway.

It was really not fun, though. There were broken bottles, glass, tire pieces, and trash all over the shoulder. Then add the cars going 55mph+...it didn't help! We all survived, but choose the down-town route next time. Now that's a different story... :(

Only time I have biked on California freeways was when I toured north of Santa Barbara on US 101. Shoulder was ok -for trash. Was wide also. Traffic not too crazy. Will be signs on freeway exits saying bicycles must exit here. That will be where parallel roads offer an alternative to the freeway.
Also, I believe law states cyclists must exit on each exit ramp and re-enter on entrance ramp. No cutting across exit lanes on freeways.That is probably wise.
Trans-continental tours want to make it to the Pacific of course. Often that means California. Out in the California desert there often is not an alternative route for bicycles. I have seen lots of bikes on the freeways, out there in the Spring and Fall. Traffic can be nuts gong to Las Vegas but shoulders are wide. I plan to do that very thing, probably in 2004.

In all honesty, I think the dangers of highway cycling are dramatically overstated. Most of them have good shoulders, which I consider to be the most useful cycling facility in existence. I have ridden the stretch of the Pacific Highway across the Burringbar Range (the bit that the NSW government is spending in excess of $270 bypassing because of the supposed "danger") on numerous occasions in various conditions and have yet to have any problems.

The only thing that stops me riding them more often is that the scenery and the terrain (my priorities when deciding on a route) always seem to be more interesting on the back roads. Around here, broken glass is everywhere because smashing glass bottles seems to be a popular activity among the great unwashed around here.

Originally posted by Chris L
In all honesty, I think the dangers of highway cycling are dramatically overstated.

I have to agree. I've ridden a lot in L.A., for example, on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). Traffic moves at freeway speed on that road, there are trucks, there are busses, and shoulders are not all that wide. Many cyclists use the PCH in reasonable safety however. No one thinks it's any big deal-- you don't hear anyone saying that it'd be crazy to ride that road or anything.

But surely it would be no more dangerous for cyclists to ride on the 10 or the 405, which have similar traffic but much wider shoulders. I would ride those freeways if it were permitted when I was in L.A.

Like cyclezealot I've ridden on US101 around Santa Barbara and Ventura, and also more north, around Bradley and San Miguel. No fun, but the only option for north-south travel. There is also a stretch of Interstate 280 on the San Francisco peninsula that is open to bicycles because of lack of alternatives, and I have been on that a number of times since it is near my house. None of these are particularly hazardous--just less satisfying. I was looking for a series of posts in a local bicycle advocacy listserve on where to find which stretches of freeway are open to bikes, but I haven't found it yet. I'll keep looking and see if there is any info relevant to this thread.

Originally posted by cyclezealot
California law says cyclists can use freeways, only if no other route is available.

I think that is basically the rule nationwide. It's legal if there isn't a reasonable alternative. Consequently, most of them wind up being in sparsely populated western states.

Hey cyclezealot,

A couple times this past year while on my down to San Diego (via car), right around the power plant/Pendleton I saw several cyclist on I-5. I couldn't believe my eyes. I've done the Amtrack century several times and we've always used the side roads.

Bobsled. Didn't say when you traveled down I-5 and saw the cyclists on the shoulder. Should see lots right now. The normal route through this military base is verbotten due to security and the war. Maybe next year?
I regret this since the ride through the quiet hills of the base is far more preferable. Been that way since September 11. Consquently, I only have riden north towards Orange county once since then.