Do DMV driving manuals contain instructions about sharing the road with cyclists?
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Do DMV driving manuals contain instructions about sharing the road with cyclists?
I haven't seen one since I started driving, but shouldn't this be mandatory? Was thinking this the other day, when a motorist honked and told me to get on the sidewalk.
In Massachusetts, we actually have share-the-road laws, that's why I'm not sure why a lot of drivers are still ignorant about this.
In Massachusetts, we actually have share-the-road laws, that's why I'm not sure why a lot of drivers are still ignorant about this.
#2
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Pick one up and see ... DMV has a rack full of them . dont have to stand in line to get one ..
#3
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The ones in MD do. If you check the DMV website, they have cycling laws up there too. I'm thinking about printing a bunch out and handing them to obnoxious busybodies who insist on sidewalk riding.
M.
M.
#4
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NYS manuals do, but I don't think any one reads that chapter. I've also seen signs that say "BIKE ROUTE / SHARE THE ROAD" but they don't do much good when the driver is too busy texting, eating a Whopper, or picking their nose to read them. Riding in traffic long enough has made me learn to ignore passing cars, and people in general and just keep on pedaling.
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I was kinda wondering the same, since I had a student driver pass a little close for comfort on my way to work yesterday.
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Just looked up the Texas driver's manual. There is a section on sharing the road with bicycles:
Share the Road with Bicycles
A bicycle is a vehicle. Any person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and responsibilities as a driver of a
vehicle.
Bicycle Rules for Motorists
1. Bicyclists are not restricted to the right lane of traffic. One-way, multi-lane streets are one example.
Another instance is when the bicyclist is changing lanes to make a left turn. The bicyclists should
follow the same path any other vehicle would take traveling in the same direction.
2. Motorcycles should merge with bicycle traffic when preparing for a right turn. Avoid turning
directly across the path of a bicycle traffic.
3. Bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right in the lane as possible only when the lane can be
safely shared by a car and a bicycle, side-by-side. Even then there are certain conditions which
allow a bicyclist to take the full lane.
a. The person is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
b. The person is preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway.
c. There are unsafe conditions in the road such as fixed or moving objects, parked or moving
vehicles, pedestrians, animals, potholes, or debris.
d. The lane is of substandard width making it unsafe for a car and a bicycle to safely share the lane
side by side. When this is the case, it is best for the cyclist to take the full lane whether riding
single file or two abreast.
Car-Bicycle Crashes Caused by Motorists
The most common motorist caused car-bicycle crashes are:
1. A motorist turns left in front of oncoming bicycle traffic. Oncoming bicycle traffic is often overlooked or its speed misjudged.
2. A motorist turns right across the path of the bicycle. The motorist should slow down and merge
with the bicycle traffic for a safe right turn.
3. A motorist pulls away from a stop sign and fails to yield the right-of-way to bicycle cross traffic. At
intersections, the right-of-way rules apply equally to motor vehicles and bicycles.
A bicycle is a vehicle. Any person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and responsibilities as a driver of a
vehicle.
Bicycle Rules for Motorists
1. Bicyclists are not restricted to the right lane of traffic. One-way, multi-lane streets are one example.
Another instance is when the bicyclist is changing lanes to make a left turn. The bicyclists should
follow the same path any other vehicle would take traveling in the same direction.
2. Motorcycles should merge with bicycle traffic when preparing for a right turn. Avoid turning
directly across the path of a bicycle traffic.
3. Bicyclists are required to ride as far to the right in the lane as possible only when the lane can be
safely shared by a car and a bicycle, side-by-side. Even then there are certain conditions which
allow a bicyclist to take the full lane.
a. The person is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
b. The person is preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway.
c. There are unsafe conditions in the road such as fixed or moving objects, parked or moving
vehicles, pedestrians, animals, potholes, or debris.
d. The lane is of substandard width making it unsafe for a car and a bicycle to safely share the lane
side by side. When this is the case, it is best for the cyclist to take the full lane whether riding
single file or two abreast.
Car-Bicycle Crashes Caused by Motorists
The most common motorist caused car-bicycle crashes are:
1. A motorist turns left in front of oncoming bicycle traffic. Oncoming bicycle traffic is often overlooked or its speed misjudged.
2. A motorist turns right across the path of the bicycle. The motorist should slow down and merge
with the bicycle traffic for a safe right turn.
3. A motorist pulls away from a stop sign and fails to yield the right-of-way to bicycle cross traffic. At
intersections, the right-of-way rules apply equally to motor vehicles and bicycles.
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Looked at the MA RMV manual online (which I should have done, duh!), and yes, the manual clearly spells out the rules regarding sharing the road with cyclists. Of course, this won't help me at all when the motorist left-turners go first on a green light, even though I have the right-of-way.
Short of printing the relevant law on my jersey, I'm not sure how to educate motorists further.
Short of printing the relevant law on my jersey, I'm not sure how to educate motorists further.
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Tennessee - yes, absolutely. https://www.tn.gov/safety/dlhandbook/DL_Manual2011.pdf
begins on page 104
excerpts below
On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users..
They must ride as close to the right side of the road as practical, while avoiding road hazards that could cause them to
swerve into traffic..
If possible, give the cyclist the entire lane. When road conditions prevent this, pass the cyclist with extreme caution. Cyclists who are not on the extreme right hand side of the lane are not being careless, but are in fact attempting to account for traffic conditions and/or preparing to make a left turn..
Safety Tips for Drivers:
• When passing and overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction, do so slowly and leave
at least a distance between you and the bicycle of not less than 3 feet. It’s the law in Tennessee! Also be sure to maintain this clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
• A driver should never attempt passing between a bicyclist and oncoming vehicles on a two-lane road. Slow down and allow vehicles to pass the rider safely.
• NEVER pass a bicycle if the street is too narrow or you would force the bicyclist too close to parked vehicles.
Wait until there is enough room to let you pass safely...
Lane Positions for Bicycles
Bicyclists are required to ride as far right in the lane as possible only when a car and a bicycle, side by side, can safely share the lane. Even then, there are certain times when a bicycle can take the full lane. A bicyclist should be allowed full use of the lane when:
• The rider is overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction.
• If the lane is marked and signed for bicycle use only, drivers must NEVER use this lane as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking.
• There are unsafe conditions in the roadway, such as parked cares, moving vehicles or machinery, fixed obstacles, pedestrians, animals, potholes or debris.
• The lane is too narrow for both a care and a bicycle to safely share the lane. In this case it is safest to let the bicycle take the full lane.
begins on page 104
excerpts below
On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users..
They must ride as close to the right side of the road as practical, while avoiding road hazards that could cause them to
swerve into traffic..
If possible, give the cyclist the entire lane. When road conditions prevent this, pass the cyclist with extreme caution. Cyclists who are not on the extreme right hand side of the lane are not being careless, but are in fact attempting to account for traffic conditions and/or preparing to make a left turn..
Safety Tips for Drivers:
• When passing and overtaking a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction, do so slowly and leave
at least a distance between you and the bicycle of not less than 3 feet. It’s the law in Tennessee! Also be sure to maintain this clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.
• A driver should never attempt passing between a bicyclist and oncoming vehicles on a two-lane road. Slow down and allow vehicles to pass the rider safely.
• NEVER pass a bicycle if the street is too narrow or you would force the bicyclist too close to parked vehicles.
Wait until there is enough room to let you pass safely...
Lane Positions for Bicycles
Bicyclists are required to ride as far right in the lane as possible only when a car and a bicycle, side by side, can safely share the lane. Even then, there are certain times when a bicycle can take the full lane. A bicyclist should be allowed full use of the lane when:
• The rider is overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction.
• If the lane is marked and signed for bicycle use only, drivers must NEVER use this lane as a turning lane, passing lane or for parking.
• There are unsafe conditions in the roadway, such as parked cares, moving vehicles or machinery, fixed obstacles, pedestrians, animals, potholes or debris.
• The lane is too narrow for both a care and a bicycle to safely share the lane. In this case it is safest to let the bicycle take the full lane.
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And I frequently see internet comments on articles extolling the virture of this quaint Boston habit and advocating that the rest of the world follow their example ...
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those 3 most likely accident scenarios in the Texas book can all be improved with bike strobes
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Yeah they do, I just looked mine up. A cop broke the law that states that there has to be 3 feet when you pass a bicycle. You know why? Because they may get ran off the road and crash, which happened to me today. A COP did this mind you, pulling a trailer, which the manual also states that if you're pulling a trailer you're supposed to give EXTRA room. This guy had the whole left lane and he made me crash.
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Yeah they do, I just looked mine up. A cop broke the law that states that there has to be 3 feet when you pass a bicycle. You know why? Because they may get ran off the road and crash, which happened to me today. A COP did this mind you, pulling a trailer, which the manual also states that if you're pulling a trailer you're supposed to give EXTRA room. This guy had the whole left lane and he made me crash.
H
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Trailers are the worst. Every second F-350 around here is pulling a 14' long trailer loaded with landscaping equipment. And they pass you with 18" of space. If I were to crash everytime that happened... ... so I don't. I've learned how to hold my line. You do the same. Heal up and get back out there and ride like a man. Or don't ride. Fear will kill you sooner or later. Don't ride with, or in, fear of anyone or anything.
H
H
I ride as far right without being in the gutter as possible, so not to hold up traffic. I figure common courtesy would tell people to give me a little space.
More and more things like this have been happening, though, and it's about to prompt me to move farther left regardless of the traffic in the road. The honking I can handle because I don't really care about that, but when people cause me to crash because their ******** it's a whole different story.
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I would be more curious as to how many and how often are the written exams asking questions relating to sharing the road. Having sections in the manual doesn't really help if the test indicate they are not expected to know the law in that area.
Also, I believe most of the sections are relatively recent (I never had any in the manuals I examined the last time I needed to take a written driving test, over 15 years ago). How many drivers on the road have had written exams since these changes were made?
Also, I believe most of the sections are relatively recent (I never had any in the manuals I examined the last time I needed to take a written driving test, over 15 years ago). How many drivers on the road have had written exams since these changes were made?
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Yep, so if you ever get a chance to shout back at someone "Get off the road!, if you don't know bicycles belong on the road then you shouldn't have a license"
#19
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Yep.
These are two pages from the 2013 California DMV manual. I renewed my DL this year and had to actually go in and take the written test and eye exam since I'm over 70.
These are two pages from the 2013 California DMV manual. I renewed my DL this year and had to actually go in and take the written test and eye exam since I'm over 70.
#20
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The problem is the instructors gloss through it and the rules are not absorbed by the student. What I remember from Drivers Ed is most of my peers being so excited about driving that cycling was about are relevant as their old teddy bear or any other item left behind in childhood.
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I was disappointed last fall to see that the Indiana manual dropped their bicycle-in-traffic info from nearly two pages to a paragraph. But then, the city has produced a PSA for TV about the changes in LOCAL law, and they've been broadcasting that pretty frequently.
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