General Cycling Discussion - Cars ignoring road rules

Last night on my ride home, I was doing about 25 in a 30MPH zone. I was about 1.5-3 feet from the solid yellow center line (basically where the driver side tire would travel). I glanced over my shoulder and saw that there was a pickup truck behind me. Typically, I would move over to let them pass, but since I was so close to the speed limit, there was a stoplight coming up, and no shoulder to pull onto, I didn't see why it would matter or if it was even safe to let them pass. HE PASSED ME ANYWAY! And then another car right behind him! I thought that the solid yellow line meant NO PASSING! Am I wrong?

Now when the third car passed me, I held my line (as I did with the previous vehicles), looked right at the driver and pointed at the yellow line. SHE JUST SMILED, WAVED, AND KEPT GOING!! And of course, about 30 seconds later I cought the cars at the stop light.

My question is, what do you guys do to deal with a similiar situation?

First off... yes, the double yellow lines mean "no pasing" everywhere that I'm aware of.
That said, I have had the same experiences on my daily rides. Usally I ride about 6-12 inches(US) left of the white line(away from road debris), and move right when I hear them approach... but if I am in a lane restricted in some way (curbs, guiderails, cliffs, rock walls, ect.), I typically do as you did... ride in the traffic lane. This is also assuming the restrictions cause this to be a slower speed zone. I do it to be visable... and hope that by seeing me, they won't whizz passed me and run me off the road. I also practice my sprinting through a section like that.
I try to ride defensive at all times, but some situations warrent an offense...

Here is a question I think about pretty often...
Where should you position yourself while riding through a "blind curve"?:fight:

Well for the blind curve in the city (<35MPH speed limit) I typically ride just left(US) of where the passenger tire would travel. That way if a car crosses the line coming from the other direction, there is some space so that they won't hit me. I also hope that by being in that position, a car behind me will not try to pass me. Once I get through the curve, I'll move right to let them pass.

With speed limits over 35MPH, it depends on traffic. If traffic is heavy I try to ride on the shoulder, if traffic is really light, I'll ride in the lane as described above. If there isn't a safe place to ride I'll just find a different route.

If any of that is confusing, let me know and I will put together a picture tonight to describe it.

I've been riding in traffic since I was 7 or 8 years old...which means I've only been riding in traffic for 9-10 years..But anyway, I was my moms own little bike messenger/courier. I've seen cars do some pretty wierd things, and all I can say is, riding in traffic is a skill(and a feat) all in itself. Trying to avoid cars, find the fastest route,and obey traffic laws at the same time cars are passing you, busses and trucks pay no attention to you,and swerving around peds and car doors, is not something you can do right off the bat, it takes practice and bravery(ha ha) to get to the point where it isn't a hell experience. It took me a few years to get the hang of it, but now, nobody rides in traffic as fast as I can...;) Riding in traffic has become a chess game of sorts to me, I love it.

Originally posted by kobyj
I was about 1.5-3 feet from the solid yellow center line (basically where the driver side tire would travel).

If a lane is too narrow to share safely side-by-side with a car, a cyclist's safest position is generally in the PASSENGER-side tyre track.[Franklin] If there are parked cars or other hazards, or if you really need to control your lane, then move toward the center of your lane, as I do downtown, on a 4-lane road with diagonal parking. The only time I occupy the driver's side tyre track is to prepare for a far-side turn, particularly in a lane which permits either turning or through travel.

My objection to occupying the driver's side tyre track is that it leaves no margin for error if an overtaking motorist fails to notice you or misjudges a gap in opposing traffic and needs to move back over. I frequently drive, jog, or cycle on a narrow local two-lane road, with a solid double-stripe median, a 35mph posted speed limit, and decent sight lines. Bicyclists routinely take a position in the outer half of the lane, and cars (including the county Sheriff's patrol units) straddle the solid double center line to pass them when there is a decent gap in the opposing traffic flow.

Originally posted by kobyj
since I was so close to the speed limit, there was a stoplight coming up, and no shoulder to pull onto, I didn't see why it would matter or if it was even safe to let them pass.
[list=1]
What's speed limit got to do with it? The number on speed limit signs only apply when a police car is visible. Generally expect drivers to exceed that number by at least 5-10 mph.
Drivers perspective is that a bike is to be passed. Speed, visibility, or the fact that they are going to turn right in 50 yards is of no consequence.
Most state laws require cyclists to ride as far to the right as practicable (whatever that means). You can make an argument for riding in the right tire track, but hardly the left. (And they're only supposed to pass you where legal, so you shouldn't have to take the lane. I know, when pigs fly...)
[/list=1]
My attitude on the subject is that it's great and noble to follow all laws, but unfortunately survival requires that one try to ride predictably, expect the worst, and do what the situation demands.

Originally posted by roadbuzz
My attitude on the subject is that it's great and noble to follow all laws, but unfortunately survival requires that one try to ride predictably, expect the worst, and do what the situation demands.

The only traffic laws that I absolutely won't break are stops signs/lights, yeild signs, cutting through private property(peoples yards, driveways..etc) and stopping for school buses. One time I ignored a stopped school bus that was letting kids off, and I plowed right into a gaggle of kids. Luckily no one was hurt. I don't like to cut through peoples yards because that gives people a bad idea of cyclists, and besides, I don't like it when kids on bikes cut through my yard. As far as where I ride on the road, I try to make life easier for drivers and ride as close to the side of the road as possible, but in some cases that is just not possible, like when I need to make a left turn or something.

Originally posted by roadbuzz

Most state laws require cyclists to ride as far to the right as practicable (whatever that means). You can make an argument for riding in the right tire track, but hardly the left. (And they're only supposed to pass you where legal, so you shouldn't have to take the lane. I know, when pigs fly...)

In Australia we substitute the left for the right, but apart from that, this is generally what I do. However I refuse to ride through debris such as broken glass or whatever else (I usually give a handsignal before moving wide of this stuff). However, I don't mind cars breaking the rule about crossing double unbroken lines if it means the pass me at a safe distance, as opposed to trying to squeeze past at 120km/h (yes, that is what people drive at around here).

Having said that, nobody who is bothered by road rules being broken should live on the Gold Coast. This happens here all the time. I even have a quick glance to the side before passing through a green light to be sure there isn't some colourblind fool coming the other way.

Originally posted by roadbuzz
My attitude on the subject is that it's great and noble to follow all laws, but unfortunately survival requires that one try to ride predictably, expect the worst, and do what the situation demands.

By way of clarification, I should mention that I'm not advocating ignoring or breaking laws. As a cyclist among automobiles, you have to ride defensively, and sometimes take control of situations (such as taking a lane to prevent a vehicle from passing dangerously), that aren't strictly according to the law.

And I agree, Chris L, glass, potholes, car doors... there are a number of things that make riding to the extreme right (or left as the case may be), impracticable. (There's that word again.)

My cardinal rule is to just stay out of the way of motor vehicles. If this means fudging on a rule/law, I'll do it and if I get caught, I'll simply pay the fine or whatever after an appearence in court. The ultimate consequence is not worth some petty legal system designed to keep people ignorant and out of shape.

Generally though I do follow the laws as they are the best defense against normal drivers (whatever that isMy primary assumption is that most normal people become anti-social behind the wheel of a car and will become aggressive or just plain stupid while driving. I always assume the worst about any driver and trust no one behind the wheel.

Well kobyj, in California you are supposed to keep right if you are on a bike. What probably would have happened around here is that if a cop had seen the situation you described, you both would have been cited: you for being too far left, the car(s) for passing on a solid yellow line. That's assuming you didn't get a cop who thought that bikes were meant to be passed at any point.

As far as what I would have done in your situation . . . well, as others have said, I usually try to stay out of the way of cars if it is safe for me to do so. I stay as far right as is safe (out of the way of doors and debris) and if they want to go around me they can. My experience so far has been pretty good. Drivers give me plenty of space (usually) and don't honk or yell.

andy

Originally posted by kobyj
Last night on my ride home, I was doing about 25 in a 30MPH zone. I was about 1.5-3 feet from the solid yellow center line (basically where the driver side tire would travel).

My question is, what do you guys do to deal with a similiar situation?
Kobyj,

I have to vote with those who say that you should not be so close to the centerline. There are exceptions, but generally, I stay closer to the outside of the lane, or at most, the center of the lane.

First off, I'd like to say that there are situations where I'll ride that close and closer to the outside edge of a lane, so I'm not prepared to judge kobyj's actions here in this regard without a clearer picture of the situation.

Second, he's highlighted here a typical example of auto hypocricy. Everyone knows the laws of traffic don't apply to cyclists when it comes to overtaking, or giving way at interseections, or even normal civil interaction. However, if a cyclist blows a red light or stop sign, all cyclists become outrageous scofflaws, and letters are sent to the editor demanding that if cyclists wish to use the road, they must obey the rules.

Case in point: last year, an angry letter was sent to the local newspaper when the author was allegedly nearly run off the road. The situation was this: a motorcyclist crossed a double white line to pass a group of cyclists, moving into the path of the vehicle of the author of the letter. Did the author hold the motocyclist responsible for this irresponsible and dangerous (not to mention pointless) act? Like hell. It was of course the cyclist's fault for just being there and 'forcing' the motorcyclist to pass dangerously.

The unwritten rule of the road here then is: motorists must be able to pass cyclists at all times in all places without slowing down. If, in passing the cyclist(s), a dangerous or illegal act is performed, it is of course the cyclist's fault.

So, what do I do in the situation in the original post? I stay alert to avoid the fool's inevitable collision with an oncoming vehicle, but otherwise do nothing other than pass them again at the next set of traffic lights.