Commuting - Cars in the bike lane?

Serious newbie here. I was out riding today on a 2 lane road w/bike lanes, when I came up on a mail truck in the bike lane. What do you do? Just go around? I ended up stopping, waiting for no cars, then going around him. Is there a better way?

I usually make sure there are no cars that are actually in my way and I just go around. Most cars will be OK w/ it and stay out of your way.

I'm not sure where you are at, but as far as I know, nowhere in the 'States does the existence of a bike lane prohibit a cyclist from using any other lane in line with the traffic laws, which typically say something like, "ride as far right as reasonable unless preparing to turn left or passing slower vehicles". Usually when I encounter a situation like that I check for a clear spot in the traffic and hop into the traffic lane to go around. In bad conditions, extremely heavy traffic, or who knows what else, I may stop as you did. If there's traffic closing on me from behind, I'll signal my movement to the left and then back to the right. You'll get honked at every now and then; just wave and smile politely or sometimes I'll yell "honk honk!" back. Being nice works better than being a smartass.

Toronto has a lot of bike lanes and it really gets up my nose when motorists use them to park on while they go into the store for a package of cigarettes. Some local groups place what looks like a parking tag on the car windshield wiper, others like myself just yell "THIS IS A BIKE LANE!"

The trouble is that there is no dedicated law in Toronto prohibiting motorists from parking in a bike lane. The best they can do is hit them for around $20 bucks for parking in a no parking zone. Some people see this as just a cost of doing business. If the fine was similar to parking in a handicap zone, I think motorists would pay more attention.

Either way, when someone is blocking the lane just whip out your left arm and go around. What you yell while you pass is up to you.

Yeah. Just look behind you, stick out your left arm, and merge into the main lane. When you get around, motion the car forward, and give a friendly "thank you" wave.

Serious newbie here. I was out riding today on a 2 lane road w/bike lanes, when I came up on a mail truck in the bike lane. What do you do? Just go around? I ended up stopping, waiting for no cars, then going around him. Is there a better way?

If you scan the road in advance for these things you'll give yourself more than enough time to merge into the "car lane" and go around the parked car (assuming it was parked, that isn't always the case with cars in bikelanes around here). Oh yeah, and if there is a line of hazards in the bike lane (such as a line of parked cars), stay in the traffic lane.

When passing mail/package delivery vehicles, be wary of them pulling out in front of you. These vehicles make lots of short stops and are always on the go.

Serious newbie here. I was out riding today on a 2 lane road w/bike lanes, when I came up on a mail truck in the bike lane. What do you do? Just go around? I ended up stopping, waiting for no cars, then going around him. Is there a better way?

What you do depends on what's safe; look out for yourself first. Sometimes you have to stop, sometimes you can go around, and sometimes you might need to hop the curb and use the sidewalk for a few meters (although I generally discourage this sort of thing--bikes belong on the roads not the sidewalk).

Once you've got that sorted out, you can educate the idiots who impede traffic. There's no need to yell at them to start with; people tend to listen a lot better when you're civil. Remind them that they're impeding traffic and making it dangerous for you. Of course, if that has no effect, it may be necessary to be somewhat more assertive.

Part of commuting is looking ahead, the cagers see the mail truck, and see you, let them know your intentions and take the lane and go around. The law states as close to the right side of the road without impeding safe operation of your bicycle.

I'll reiterate that you should signal and move into the adjacent lane well before reaching the obstacle. And I'll also restate to watch it closely as you pass because the driver may try pulling back into the lane you're in. For this reason, make sure you have plenty of room as you pass by -- stay about 3 feet (1 meter) from the blocking vehicle while you pass.

When passing mail/package delivery vehicles, be wary of them pulling out in front of you. These vehicles make lots of short stops and are always on the go.

Translation: Delivery vehicles or garbage trucks (for some reason, people in Surfers Paradise seem to need to have their bins emptied every fricken day!), give them an especially wide berth.

You've already got good answers, but I have to ask why the mail truck was stopped in the bike lane? Was it emptying a collection box? Actually delivering mail? If it was parked in the bike lane and the carrier was away from it delivering mail, that is illegal. If you go online to USPS.gov and fill out a complaint, that mail truck shouldn't be stopped in the lane again.

You've already got good answers, but I have to ask why the mail truck was stopped in the bike lane? Was it emptying a collection box? Actually delivering mail? If it was parked in the bike lane and the carrier was away from it delivering mail, that is illegal. If you go online to USPS.gov and fill out a complaint, that mail truck shouldn't be stopped in the lane again.

I expect that the mail truck was engaged in official mail delivery duties. It doesn't make any difference whether it's blocking a bike lane or a regular lane. It's no big deal - just go around it. No reason to make a (literally) Federal Case out of it.

If it happened to me, I wouldn't have given it a second thought.

Yeah, he was just delivering mail. I also run, and have to contend with them all the time when I'm working out. But passing them on a run is less of an issue than passing them on a bike. I just want to know what to do next time around. Thanks, everybody. :)

In my neighborhood the mail carrier seems to have an option to park and then ride a bike thru the neighboorhood to deliver mail. I say an option as some carriers drive box to box, some walk, some ride their bike.

There are no bike lanes so they never have the problem of parking in them. I wouldn't get upset about a mail truck in the lane (very temporary and short), but would if there was residential parking issues.

Al