Originally Posted by
LarrySellerz
You can't slow down or change directions in the middle of a pack, that's rule number one. If we tried to stop and pull over as a group we would have crashed out.
These very large group rides cause riders to ride in a way that is against state law, at least in the ones I've observed. I've read a lot of cycling laws, including from your state of California and I've noticed that they all, for the most part, are very similar. Like I said above, I've also seen these large group rides around here in Florida and it's somewhat common to see them blow thru stop signs and take up the entire roadway. It's simply against the law.
See below, your state laws which are very similar to my laws here in Florida and most other states.
Originally Posted by
LarrySellerz
We try not to blow stop signs but **** happens on the fast days, its part of the sport, and its part of the reason some cars hate us. But that's no excuse for what he did.
This is the problem with Regular Joes attempting to be like the professionals. When riding a bike your first responsibility is to ride IAW the law. There is NO sport to that. I never look at my riding as sport when out on the roads. It's life and death, literally.
I'm not sure what the law is about a guy blowing his horn for 1 full minute, but it is definitely wrong to blow thru stop signs. People die doing that. Horns are just annoying.
https://www.walkuplawoffice.com/cas-...ike-laws-2018/
Various Excerpts:
VC 21200, USE OF A BICYCLE
Under California law,
every person who rides a bike on a street or highway has the same rights and responsibility as someone operating a motor vehicle. This means he or she must obey all traffic signals, ride to the right (not facing traffic), obey posted speed limits and stop signs, and more. Further, motorists and bicyclists have an obligation to share the road, and each party owes a duty of care to the other.
VC 21208, USING A BICYCLE LANE
The Bay Area has taken a progressive approach to install bike lanes throughout the city and along major area roadways. Knowing how to use these lanes is essential.
Under California law, anyone who travels slower than the speed of normal traffic must use a bicycle lane if one exists, unless the following conditions apply:
- A bicyclist wants to overtake another bicycle or pedestrian traveling within the bike lane.
- A bicyclist wants to prepare to make a left turn at an intersection or into a driveway.
- To avoid road debris or another hazardous condition that exists within the bike lane.
If a bicyclist must leave a bike lane, he or she must wait until it is safe to do so and must give an appropriate hand signal to vehicles around to adequately warn of deviation from the lane.
VC 22111, Using Hand Signals
California law sets certain requirements to standardize the use of hand signals. Use the following indications whenever possible:
- A bicyclist should indicate an intention to turn left by extending that hand horizontally to the side of the bicycle.
- To indicate an intention to turn right, a bicyclist should use the right hand to extend horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.
- A bicyclist should indicate a sudden decrease in speed by extending the left hand down next to the bicycle.