Originally Posted by
daveF
I don't see anything in Pennsylvania state statutes that prohibit making a left turn from a traffic lane or passing a slower rider. This is from the statutes regarding bicycles:
[3301(b). Vehicle proceeding at less than normal speed.
Upon all roadways, any vehicles proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at
the time and place under the conditions than existing shall be driven in the right-hand
lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge
of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the
same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into an alley,
private road or driveway. This subsection does not apply to a driver who must
necessarily drive in a lane other than the right-hand lane to continue on his intended
route.]
I will give some major props to the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, I emailed them within minutes of posting here and had a response within an hour or so... the short of it is:
*There is a regulation in Philadelphia stating that bicycles must use a bike lane/trail if available and not use the roadway.
*There is a PA state law (which supersedes local rules) which states:
"
Section 3501. Applicability of traffic laws to pedalcycles.
(a) General rule. -- Every person riding a pedalcycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this title, except as to special provisions in this subchapter and except as to those provisions of this title which by their nature can have no application."
So basically state law trumps local and what I did is correct, and the local folks are trying to amend/repeal the bike path regulation in the Philadelphia rules since it's not practicable... there are additional pieces of state law that specifically refer to slower-than-traffic vehicles and left turns, so I may have to make a little cheat sheet and stick it in the panniers for future law-enforcement interactions
