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Old 09-27-07 | 09:11 AM
  #18  
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piper_chuck
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 562
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From: Columbia, SC
The NC drivers manual, which people are supposed to read before taking the test, has a decent section on sharing the road with bikes, pedestrians, mopeds, etc. It includes diagrams showing some common types of car/bike accidents and reminders such as:

"Bicyclists usually ride on the right side of the lane, but are entitled to the use of a full lane."
and
"A bicyclist staying to the right in their lane is accommodating the following drivers by making
it easier to see when it is safe to pass, and easier to execute the pass. Drivers wishing to
pass a bicyclist may do so only when there is abundant clearance and no oncoming traffic is in
the opposing lane
. When passing a bicyclist, always remember the bicyclist is entitled to the
use of the full lane
."

After seeing how much emphasis the NC DMV has placed on bikes being entitled to the use of the full lane, and the driver's responsibility to only pass when there is enough clearance and no oncoming traffic, I'll probably be taking a wee bit more of the lane from now on, especially in situations where I know someone approaching from behind can't pass safely.
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