Originally Posted by
prathmann
Actually the CVC (Calif. Vehicle Code) does allow cyclists to 'take the lane', i.e. to move farther left when the right hand lane is too narrow to safely share with an overtaking motor vehicle.
Can you quote the CVC where it specifically says that? All I've been able to find is CVC 21202 which says:
"Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway ... shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except ..." with the list of exceptions. Passing another bicycle, making a left, when necessary to avoid road conditions, etc. I've not been able to find anything which says that a bicyclist can specifically take the lane.
In fact, CVC 21208 specifically says that:
"Any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway ... shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that the person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations..." with the same list of situation from 21202.
Which is why I say that it's not specifically stated that a bicyclist can take the lane, but it's written in such a way to allow it. But if you've got a CVC which specifically states as such, please share.
Originally Posted by
prathmann
The rule about pulling over when followed by 5 or more other vehicles is in a separate section of the CVC and doesn't mention bicyclists specifically
It's also in CVC 21202:
"Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway ... shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except ... When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions ... that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656."
And CVC 21656 says:
"... a slow-moving vehicle ... behind which five or more vehicles are formed in line, shall turn off the roadway ... in order to permit the vehicles following it to proceed."
So, it does, you just have to look for it.