Old 07-16-08 | 01:47 PM
  #95  
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noisebeam
Arizona Dessert
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: AZ

Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex

Originally Posted by st0ut
OK so you know you ride slower.. yet you still ride in the center of a well used bike lane?
If using a bike lane traveling at any speed I'll ride in the center to left side (for the bike lane widths typical in my locality.) At 4-5' wide there is never any side by side sharing of a bike lane. A faster cyclist always needs to merge into the adjacent lane. That is always what I do when passing other cyclists. Since I'm merging into the adjacent lane there is never a need to announce myself - a cyclist being passed is very unlikely to swerve unexpectedly and without looking into the travel lane most often used by faster motor vehicles and since one is using the adjacent lane to pass one can pass with great passing distance giving some room/time to maneuver if the passed cyclist does swerve.

I think the OP has a point buried in all the nonsense they added to the discussion: There is either enough space to pass safely or there isn't. If there is enough space use it when passing, no need to shave closely announced or not. If there isn't - don't pass as that will require squeezing too tightly between cyclist and fixed or moving objects - which should not be done announced or not. Wait until there is enough space or negotiate passing space if needed with cyclist or more easily with passing motorists.

Al
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