Originally Posted by
alan s
This has got to be one of the stupidest ideas I have ever seen on a bike. What if another bike wants to pass you? They have to go way out into the traffic and risk getting hit, rather than saying "on your left" and passing a foot from you. Don't be suprised if you receive frequent hostile comments from other cyclists. The 3 foot rule is a common sense guide, not a hard and fast rule dictating the amount of space someone needs to give you.
Sorry, but the stupidest idea I ever saw on a bike was responsible for this post....
Originally Posted by
Bug Shield
It's fascinating that bikeforums people are more hostile to my flag use than the people who pass me every day are! Context is everything, I guess.
Yeah, the two I quoted here seem to be a little over the top. They read like self-appointed experts. I've toyed with this idea, but found a lack of need over the last couple years.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
Don't know why they do that? Because people like the o.p. create this culture of cyclists that must be coddled and passed with 6' clearance. You said it yourself... they are idiots. Idiots don't have any judgement or perspective so... since they don't know when they will be able to pass and they lack any impulse control they go for it when and where they find you. So the question is.... do you want to be at ground zero when there is a head on collision because you were claiming your right to the road? In my case, yes, sometimes they do go WAY around me (no flag by the way) and I am way over on the fog line. No reason at all to give me all that room... but they do. IF there ever is a head on in a situation like that... my conscience is clear. I was doing everything in my power to facilitate a pass that did not involve undue risk to anyone. The o.p. ... not so much.
Coddled...hmmm,...nope, don't think so. And as far as"ground zero" goes, what makes you think a PARTIAL lane change will avoid that head-on? Unless a rider gets SERIOUSLY buzzed, there will be SOME separation, and wheels over the centerline. Since I happen to think that taking the lane serves the same purpose, it's a matter of different strokes for different folks. It WORKS for the OP, if you don't want to do it, DON'T -- but to rail at him with your perception of him needing "coddling" is presumptuous in the extreme.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
I'd go to the other fog line too if I came up behind someoene with a 35.75" flag sticking horizontally from their bike. I mean... come on... how well does the average driver judge distances close to their car?? 25% are completely unable to parallel park. You want someone like that passing you with exactly 36" Inches? And... it might be me but... in the statutes... where does that 36" start? I have handlebars that are 28" wide and I have handlebars that are 20" wide. 36" from the centerline of the bike is a not unreasonable passing distance! You are adding as much as 14" to that... oh the vanity... but, rock on, truth is, most drivers give you the 3' whether you ask for it or not. Now you aren't asking. Most will give it to you anyway, but someone wont. It's inevitable. What then. Without the flag it would be a close pass. With the flag its drama. Splintering fiberglass, noise, shrapnel, maybe enough startle in there to upset your equilibrium on the bike. Maybe not. You take care.
The 3' referred to in most laws is from the left end of the handlebar; I have yet to see any place where it's measured from the centerline of the bike. That's a childish point.
Vanity...please. The VANITY here is you thinking you're the standard of right thinking about lane position for another rider.