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Old 05-13-02, 07:36 AM
  #7  
John E
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796

Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;

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Originally posted by Allister
Ride closer to the kerbside as they go pass, forcing them to move into the lane. A literal interpretation of traffic laws would say that this is the side you're supposed to pass oncoming traffic on anyway.
The ambiguity of this situation is precisely what makes passing these clowns so dangerous.

Scenario 1: Per Allister's advice, hug the curb/kerb, creating a contraflow lane between two proper-flow lanes (you and motorists).

Scenario 2: Move toward the main travel lanes, thereby creating only one contraflow friction zone, between yourself and the wrongway folk. This is my normal procedure when I encounter contraflow joggers: assume and hold a line within the bike lane, just inside its traffic-side demarcation.

Scenario 3: When faced with a swarm of wrong-way cyclists or joggers, assume your best position in the bike lane (see above), come to a full stop, and force them to go around you. This will significantly reduce your chance of injury and render them, rather than you, at fault, should a collision occur.


Above all else, be assertive, decisive, and predictable. Know where YOU want to be in the bike lane, and assume and hold that position far enough in advance to give a clear signal. Drop down a few gears to boost your pedal cadence, to give them an initmidating illusion of speed and determination on your part.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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