t595

See the link below. US DOT now is including biking in their official transportation policy for the country. Eventually this will trickle down to the local level, but it should start to get some money flowing to bicycle related transportation improvements from federal dollars. Now at least some of my taxes will get spent on something that I approve of.

https://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/06/dot-...thumbs-up.html

RJM

About time.

RichinPeoria

Chicago has allot of bike lanes, places to lock up etc. They have done a good job being Bike Friendly even on busy city streets like Lincoln.

rangerdavid

inspired to look up the traffic laws in North Carolina, I found that our DOT actually has a Department of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety. In our state, the law clearly says that a cyclist has the right to use one entire lane of traffic. Must ride in the direction of the flow of traffic, and when being passed, motor vehicles must allow at least 2 feet of clearance, and yield to cyclists.

Here's the quote from our DVM handbook starting on page 96.

Bicycles

Bicycle riding is an important means of transportation, particularly for traveling to and from work and school. Because bicycles are vehicles, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other drivers. Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane, but are entitled to use the full lane.

Pass with Care

A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating following drivers by making it
easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the pass. Drivers wishing to pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic
is in the opposing lane. When passing a bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist
is entitled to use of the full lane.

Go with the Flow
It is especially important for bicyclists to go with the flow of traffic, NOT against the
flow. Ride right, with the traffic, NOT facing traffic. Motorists often do not look in the
direction of bicyclists riding the wrong way.

Like drivers, bicyclists must:
• Ride on the right side of the road;
• Stop for stop signs and red lights; and
• Give hand signals.


Chapter 6 — Sharing the Road
96
Be Visible
Visibility is important during both daylight hours and at night. During the daylight, avoid
being obscured by other vehicles. At night, the law requires that a bicycle be equipped with
a light on the front visible for a distance of at least 300 feet and a red light or reflector on the rear visible for a distance of at least 200 feet.

Think Bike
Bicyclists can be expected on all roads except where expressly prohibited. Bicycles are narrow and typically operate at the right of the lane, so they may be obscured and difficult to detect.

Avoid the left cross, drive out and right hook types of potential collisions shown below.
Children on bicycles can be unpredictable. Be certain your child has been instructed about
how to ride a bicycle properly and knows the necessary signs, signals and rules.
All bicycle riders and passengers under age 16 must wear an approved protective bicycle
helmet and must be seated on a saddle seat.

A passenger weighing less than 40 pounds or less than 40 inches in height must be seated in a bicycle restraining seat.

The same driving while impaired laws that apply to motor vehicles also apply to bicycles.

RiPHRaPH

More importantly, remember this mantra. While cars are the intended users of the road, they are not the sole users of the road That's all you need to know.