Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14275997)

Some observations from my ride today got me wondering about how other riders are treated by traffic when people are riding in a no passing zone and it's clear for the motorists to pass.


What's everyone's experience with traffic and solid double yellow lines? Anyone have much success preventing high speed traffic from passing in a no passing zone when the road is clear?

Originally Posted by Digital_Cowboy (Post 14281477)

But sadly as has been said before too many people ignore even the yield signs. Not even bothering to slow down in the least little bit.

Originally Posted by hagen2456 (Post 14280574)

Thanks for your answer. My guess is that having "too many" no passing zones will make drivers tend to ignore them. Like the "too many" stop signs I've read about here, too. I wonder what makes traffic planners implement "too many" whatever.

Originally Posted by contango (Post 14280679)

In PA I see people passing Amish buggies all the time regardless of whether there's a double-yellow down the middle of the road. As far as I can tell (I'm usually there for only a few weeks each year so don't know every nuance of the local laws) it's considered a perfectly acceptable thing to do when faced with such a slow-moving vehicle.

I imagine it's either technically illegal but never enforced, or there's some threshold below which a vehicle is deemed sufficiently slow-moving that passing across a double-yellow is legal.

Originally Posted by CB HI (Post 14284045)

PA has similar law and handles it the same as Florida.



http://law.onecle.com/pennsylvania/v...3.001.000.html

Originally Posted by CB HI (Post 14284109)

PA no passing zone law



The no passing law is exempted for obstructions which SMV became legally considered.

Originally Posted by penn four foot passing law

(b.1) Overtaking pedalcycles.‑‑It is permissible to pass a pedalcycle, if done in accordance with sections 3303(a)(3) (relating to overtaking vehicle on the left) and 3305 (relating to limitations on overtaking on the left).

Originally Posted by Kansas traffic code 8-1516

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14284307)

actually, not quite. it was illegal for motorists to pass bicyclists under that allowance until Pennsylvania added language specifically mentioning pedalcycles and passing in no passing zones. previous to which, it was technically illegal for motorists to pass a bicyclist in a no passing zone.

HB 171, Pennsylvania's 4 foot safe passing law, included language allowing passing of pedalcycles in no passing zones.



states generally don't allow passing other vehicles, including bicyclists, under 'obstructing' standards in no passing zones. no passing zones are quite restrictive of road users and passing.

It's too bad florida claims bikes can be passed as "obstructions" across double yellow lines.

one of the de facto rules of the road exhibited everywhere - pass bicyclists in no passing zones if safe.

Here's an example from a state that specifically allows passing bicyclists in a no passing zone, Kansas...



So, the question remains: should motor vehicles be allowed to pass bicyclists in no passing zones if safe to do so? Should states codify this allowance as part of safe passing legislation? do these types of laws make bicycle traffic more acceptable to other road users when encountering bikes in no passing zones?

Originally Posted by kansas traffic statute 8-1516

The driver of a vehicle may pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction in a no-passing zone with the duty to execute the pass only when it is safe to do so.

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14286060)

the preferred version?

inaccurate mumbo jumbo about the 'engineering' of passing aside, :rolleyes: no passing zones are designated significantly differently than john postulates -example of a states' no passing standards
snips

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14284307)

So, the question remains: should motor vehicles be allowed to pass bicyclists in no passing zones if safe to do so? ?

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14286060)

Do motorists frequently pass you in no passing zones?

Do you consider it a de facto rule of the road, that motorists will pass you while bicycling, even in a no passing zone if its safe to do so?

Would knowing its legal to pass bicyclists in no passing zones enhance motorists' acceptance of bicyclists on the roads?

I consider them positive steps in traffic law, both as recognition of a de facto rule of traffic, and the laws' legitimacy factor. (I already know bicyclists are legitimate road users, its just not all motorists think this)

Originally Posted by contango (Post 14287171)

In the UK:

Motorists frequently pass me despite double white lines down the middle of the road (our version of your double yellow lines). I don't have a problem with it, if the road ahead is clear there's no reason why I need to be a rolling roadblock.

I expect motorists to pass me if it is safe to do so. If the posted speed limit is significantly faster than I can manage on my bike why wouldn't any motorist want to go at closer to the posted speed limit, if they could safely pass me?

Originally Posted by John Forester (Post 14282701)

The decision to paint a double-yellow center line is made by considering the sight distance required to safely overtake a vehicle that is moving rather close to the speed limit. The newest versions of the overtaking law allow overtaking of very slow vehicles, despite a double-yellow line, provided that there is sufficient sight distance for the overtaking movement to be completed safely. I presume that these versions are likely to spread to more states.

Originally Posted by genec (Post 14287188)

Agreed... now if only the motorists would do this in a safe and good manner... see my post #51 above.

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14284307)

actually, not quite. it was illegal for motorists to pass bicyclists under that allowance until Pennsylvania added language specifically mentioning pedalcycles and passing in no passing zones. previous to which, it was technically illegal for motorists to pass a bicyclist in a no passing zone.

Originally Posted by CB HI (Post 14288612)

actually, not quite. It was legal before to pass any SMV including cyclist under the obstruction exemption I cited. PA has decided to add specific law making it expressly clear that cyclist can be passed. That was done to quite objections to the 3 feet passing law.

So an extra law for something that was already legal. Simply adds more confusion on the meaning of the laws in totality.

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14288802)

snip

The addition to Pennsylvania law clarifies it is legal to pass the most frequently encountered slow moving vehicle in no passing zones in pennsylvania. it is a clarification in the law, and one that likely enhances acceptance of bicyclists sharing narrow two lane roads with motorists.

Originally Posted by Bekologist (Post 14290003)

.....statutory regulation of vehicles interacting with bikes in traffic code can aid in legitimizing bike traffic to other road users- why yes, John.

How astute of you.