Commuting - Scary roads

I was riding down the main drag through campus yesterday, and I realized how dangerous the road is. The sides of the road (where I ride) are completely rutted and pot-holed up, with deep, deep cuts and chunks taken out of it. It is the most unsafe road to ride because it has the most traffic of any road in town. Most of the traffic is semi trucks, and it is only two lanes and a turning lane, so the small space that is left for me to ride is the most chewed up, poor excuse for a road I have seen. I was riding it on my skinny tired single speed, and the road is barely fit for a mountain bike. So, not only was I trying to swerve to avoid potholes, I was also almost forced off of the road by semi trucks. I really wish that I had a digital camera to show you what I am up against. I am just glad that they are widening it, which also means repaving, because it needs it really badly.

If the right edge is as bad as you describe, then it isn't "the ... space ... for (you) to ride". The uniform vehicle codes in most US states say that bicyclists must operate their vehicles "as far to the right as practicable". "Practicable" has been interpreted to mean "reasonable and safe". It does not, contrary to what even some cops will tell you, mean "hug the curb". If the right edge of the road is not safe for your vehicle, use the part of the road that is safe for your vehicle. If that means the middle of the lane, so be it. If motor vehicle users complain, well, they'll have something to look forward to as well when the road is reconstructed. If the speed limit of the road is such that motor vehicle users use it at speeds that make it difficult or unsafe for you to use the part of the roadway that is practicable for you, contact your local representatives and get the speed limit lowered to match the conditions of the roadway, even if it's only until it's reconstructed.

It seems like local roads are in severely deteriorated condition like this in cities all across America. Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could have some of that $4.7 billion dollars a month the war in Iraq is costing us to help rebuild infrastructure in America's cities? :mad:

Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could have some of that $4.7 billion dollars a month the war in Iraq is costing us to help rebuild infrastructure in America's cities? :mad:

Or any other worthwhile cause. I've said "I’m glad I’m not the only one” to many posts on this forum, but this time I'm REALLY glad!

If the right edge is as bad as you describe, then it isn't "the ... space ... for (you) to ride". The uniform vehicle codes in most US states say that bicyclists must operate their vehicles "as far to the right as practicable". "Practicable" has been interpreted to mean "reasonable and safe". It does not, contrary to what even some cops will tell you, mean "hug the curb". If the right edge of the road is not safe for your vehicle, use the part of the road that is safe for your vehicle. If that means the middle of the lane, so be it. If motor vehicle users complain, well, they'll have something to look forward to as well when the road is reconstructed. If the speed limit of the road is such that motor vehicle users use it at speeds that make it difficult or unsafe for you to use the part of the roadway that is practicable for you, contact your local representatives and get the speed limit lowered to match the conditions of the roadway, even if it's only until it's reconstructed.

In text, that law sounds wonderful. In practice, when there is a semi bearing down behind you at 35 mph, and your cruising the middle of the lane, your pulse tends to quicken a little bit. I just sometimes wonder, and worry about what it will take to get things changed in any part of the country.

In text, that law sounds wonderful. In practice, when there is a semi bearing down behind you at 35 mph, and your cruising the middle of the lane, your pulse tends to quicken a little bit. I just sometimes wonder, and worry about what it will take to get things changed in any part of the country.

If a semi is bearing down on you at that speed you're actually better off holding your lane right in the centre than swerving to avoid potholes. Holding the lane gives the drivers more time to see you and react accordingly. Swerving is only going to suddenly throw you into their path when they're not ready for you, with spectacularly painful results.

Yeah agreed on this one... they can't squeeze you to the side if you're in the middle of the lane. I probably err on the side of being aggressive, well actually I know I do, but I have nearly 5 years of commuting and have yet to be hit by a car despite some harrowing stretches of road I've had to ride, with 45mph speed limits, 3 lanes, etc. Taking the lane is typically the safest option.

I'll try that then, sounds like it should work out well

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, perhaps find a parallel street with less traffic to ride on. Sometimes it is better to be and/or feel safer by taking the long way.