Originally Posted by CB HI
Fellow cyclist, please dig a little deeper before you give up our right to use the roads. First go to the definitions section and read the definition of an expressway. Also read the requirements for banning bicycles and other vehicles from expressways. Please note that a sign is required stating the prohibition at the expressway entrances.
21-1205.1.(a) refers to expressways.
21-1205.1.(b) refers to all other roadways, like MacArthur.
Originally Posted by DCCommuter
The law in question (quoted in this thread) says bike "lane," which is not the same thing as a bike path. There is no bike lane on Macarthur Blvd, and it is legal for cyclists to ride on the roadway.
The bike path that exists is exceptionally poorly engineered, and is not safe, and the mandatory shoulder/bike lane law has a safety exception, which was strengthened in the most recent legislative session.
Interestingly, the state has proposed putting bike lanes on both sides of the road, which would go a long way in reducing cyclist/ motorist conflict. However, the plan was killed by the town of Glen Echo, which is opposed to any change that would increase traffic. So cyclists slowing motorists there is not only legal, it's by design.
I stand corrected on the bike path issue. But for large parts of the length of MacArthur Blvd the path connects to the road forming a paved shoulder, and as of last month it was in pretty good shape. It may not be safe to ride at 20+ mph, but at 12 to 15 it works well. That doesn't stop me, and won't stop me from riding on the road instead of the path along MacArthur, but I do pull over when a car comes up wanting to pass and I can let him by safely.
I've never seen the Maryland police enforcing the shoulder rule, and for that I'm thankful. Some of the county websites do repeat this rule in their description of Maryland bike laws and tell bikes to use the shoulder.
Originally Posted by koffee brown
....Mr. Kalb doesn't know the law. For someone who's supposed to be so learned, he certainly didn't take the time to get some simple facts before he opened his mouth and spouted out his pro-road rage against cyclists.
Mr Kalb is certainly ignorant of the laws regarding bicycles. We must gently educate him as to his error.
If we want "them" to empathize with "us", we must also empathize with "them". Sometimes them is us.