Originally Posted by
WalksOn2Wheels
1) In my description of Arlington, I forgot to mention the lack of good shops. There is one, Bicycles Inc, but it's so far on the southwest edge, it's practically Fort Worth. I've actually never been there, and currently work at a shop in Dallas. There is a small shop near downtown/UTA called Front and Center Cyclery, conveniently located on Front and Center streets. I'm actually good friends with the owner, and worked for her when UTA tried to run a student bike shop. It's definitely geared towards getting all sorts of folks on 2 wheels, and definitely not a full on shop with trek/specialized or anything like that. It's great, and relatively low cost if you don't have a car and just need basic work done, but don't expect a hydraulic brake bleed. And then you have Sun and Ski Sports, but I wouldn't rely on that one in terms of quality.
2) Regarding "taking the lane," Texas state law has a very different opinion of what I guess the police there told you. If I were in the unfortunate situation of living there, I would just take the lane and have a printed copy of the state law on hand for when I did get pulled over. To my admittedly limited knowledge, state law should trump any local ordinance. At least, that is what I would think...
I should have said that it's 'de facto' illegal rather than illegal, as obviously Abilene cannot override state law. The local police acknowledge one's right to take the lane, but will issue a citation for 'obstructing traffic' if one cannot keep up with the speed of cars whilst doing so. Which is, of course, impossible. They told me they'd do the same thing to a motor vehicle traveling significantly below the speed limit, and that it wasn't specific to bicycles, for what that's worth.
In my case I was taking the lane to prepare for a left turn a block ahead and a police cruiser came up behind me. I got pulled over almost instantly. I pointed out the state law allowing cyclists to take the lane and he was aware of it, but told me that if I wanted to do that then I should be prepared to keep up with the flow of traffic, and that what I was doing was dangerous because he "had to slam on [his] brakes" and I "could have caused an accident".
I'm not the only one, either. I complained about it on facebook and heard from a few other folks in Abilene that had had similar experiences.
I'm not a lawyer, but I'm guessing that unless the take the lane statute contains language allowing 'obstructing traffic' or vice versa, the whole thing would have to be taken to court to establish which statute takes precedence over the other. I also highly suspect that it's less a matter of enforcing the law and more a matter of cops angry at cyclists for getting in their way and finding something to charge them with.
It's important to remember that Abilene doesn't really have any kind of cycling culture and although there are many cyclists those seen riding in public are almost universally those too poor to afford a car or too drunk to keep their license, so riding a bicycle is generally seen as something unfortunate. The reaction I usually get from people when I tell them I ride a bicycle to work is along the lines of "Oh, I'm sorry. That sucks." When I inform them that I do, in fact, own a car and ride because I enjoy it I get looked at like I'm some kind of alien.
On a positive note, I'd like to plug our good shop, VT Bike Stuff. They're very friendly and have great service and reasonable prices. If they don't have something you're looking for they will find it and get it for you. Tom, the owner, always remembers your name & what you ride and gives great advice.
Edit: didn't see AusTexMurf's post. Apparently it is state law that we have to ride 'as far to the right as practicable' and can only take the lane in limited circumstances.