Don't Ride in the Middle to Left Side of the Lane
06-17-12, 08:51 PM
#51
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A whole 6,000 miles, your the man, we should all bow to your experience.
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06-17-12, 08:59 PM
#53
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Haha, now I remember why I don't come to this place. And I thought the people in the Road forum were a**holes!
Haha I crashed a week ago for the second time ever.
And if nothing has happened for the last 6,000 miles why should I change to a riding style? How many times have you been honked at or been in an accident involving a car?
And if nothing has happened for the last 6,000 miles why should I change to a riding style? How many times have you been honked at or been in an accident involving a car?
Last edited by fishymamba; 06-17-12 at 09:16 PM.
06-17-12, 09:19 PM
#55
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06-17-12, 09:19 PM
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25+ years on the road says otherwise.
Sorry, that's not the case. In the past two weeks I've come across at least a dozen folks riding mid to the left side of a travel lane on a two lane road that was either 45 or 55mph. Rolling terrain, lots of curves, and on the 55mph road, fresh pavement.
I have no problem with folks moving from the side to avoid broken pavement, debris, whatever, but the folks who are riding down a 55mph road at 15mph thinking their right trumps everyone else on the road irk the crap out of me and nearly all the folks I ride with.
If you want to share the road then share it, don't take it.
Sorry, that's not the case. In the past two weeks I've come across at least a dozen folks riding mid to the left side of a travel lane on a two lane road that was either 45 or 55mph. Rolling terrain, lots of curves, and on the 55mph road, fresh pavement.
I have no problem with folks moving from the side to avoid broken pavement, debris, whatever, but the folks who are riding down a 55mph road at 15mph thinking their right trumps everyone else on the road irk the crap out of me and nearly all the folks I ride with.
If you want to share the road then share it, don't take it.
it's not my intention to be insulting here, but if you're not trolling, you're clueless.
oh yea, ****.
maybe too harsh. maybe just naive.
06-17-12, 09:22 PM
#57
Cycle Year Round
Haha, now I remember why I don't come to this place. And I thought the people in the Road forum were a**holes!
Haha I crashed a week ago for the second time ever.
And if nothing has happened for the last 6,000 miles why should I change to a riding style? How many times have you been honked at or been in an accident involving a car?
Haha I crashed a week ago for the second time ever.
And if nothing has happened for the last 6,000 miles why should I change to a riding style? How many times have you been honked at or been in an accident involving a car?
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Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.
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06-17-12, 09:42 PM
#59
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06-17-12, 10:00 PM
#60
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Originally Posted by Florida
Since the minimum clearance for passing a bicyclist is 3 feet (see “Overtaking and passing a vehicle” above) and the total width of larger motor vehicles (with extending mirrors) is commonly 8 feet or more, an outside traffic lane with less than 14 feet of width for travel is commonly not wide enough to accommodate passing motor traffic within the lane.
Originally Posted by Nevada
Bicycle Compatible Street / Road – A bicycle compatible street or road has at least 14 feet or greater between the lane line and the lip of the curb, plus a 1.5-foot wide gutter pan that can accommodate shared lane travel between motorists and cyclists.
Originally Posted by Wikipedia
In the United States of America, wide outside lane (WOL), or wide curb lane (WCL), is a term used by cyclists and bicycle transportation planners to refer to the outermost lane of a roadway when it is wide enough to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a wider motor vehicle at the same time. Generally, the minimum-width standard for a WOL is 14 feet (4.3 m).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_outside_lane
Originally Posted by Texas
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless:
...(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outside lane that is:
(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane
...(4) the person is operating a bicycle in an outside lane that is:
(A) less than 14 feet in width and does not have a designated bicycle lane adjacent to that lane
06-17-12, 10:15 PM
#61
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Thanks benjm,
Glad someone had the patience to put together a lesson plan.
Glad someone had the patience to put together a lesson plan.
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06-17-12, 10:18 PM
#62
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Usualy stay the he11 out of these threads, but...
About two years ago a guy moved to my hometown from some midwestern city, can't remember where. Its pretty hilly here, with lots of blind curves, and a mix of narrow roads without even a white line on the right, and roads with great big paved shoulders. Add to that, its a tourist town that attracts a lot of people from flatlands who have never seen a curve or a hill, and are waving a camera around while driving, as well as phones.
This guy was a take the lane commando. As the only other cyclist in town at the time who did everything on a bike, I got a lot of unsolicited lectures on riding. I nodded and smiled a lot, and continued to ride to the right, letting traffic pass on certain roads, and take the lane VERY aggressivley on others. Some roads require a little of both. THis guy just solidly rode in the middle of the lane, all the time.
Within a few months there were several fender benders caused by cars passing him regardless of blind turns and hitting oncoming traffic or forcing it off the road. At least once He was hit by the passing car swerving back into him. He *****ed to me about how drivers here suck every time I ran into him(I really agreed with that).
Not sure if he still lives around here, but I know that he was simply driving everywhere last few times I saw him.
I don't give a crap where anyone else rides, but for most commenters to have an absolute opinion about how to ride on roads in areas that they don't ride in strikes me as funny.
About two years ago a guy moved to my hometown from some midwestern city, can't remember where. Its pretty hilly here, with lots of blind curves, and a mix of narrow roads without even a white line on the right, and roads with great big paved shoulders. Add to that, its a tourist town that attracts a lot of people from flatlands who have never seen a curve or a hill, and are waving a camera around while driving, as well as phones.
This guy was a take the lane commando. As the only other cyclist in town at the time who did everything on a bike, I got a lot of unsolicited lectures on riding. I nodded and smiled a lot, and continued to ride to the right, letting traffic pass on certain roads, and take the lane VERY aggressivley on others. Some roads require a little of both. THis guy just solidly rode in the middle of the lane, all the time.
Within a few months there were several fender benders caused by cars passing him regardless of blind turns and hitting oncoming traffic or forcing it off the road. At least once He was hit by the passing car swerving back into him. He *****ed to me about how drivers here suck every time I ran into him(I really agreed with that).
Not sure if he still lives around here, but I know that he was simply driving everywhere last few times I saw him.
I don't give a crap where anyone else rides, but for most commenters to have an absolute opinion about how to ride on roads in areas that they don't ride in strikes me as funny.
06-17-12, 10:50 PM
#64
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Or were you trying to be obscure but failed?
The context and intent of your post was sufficiently clear to me.
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06-17-12, 11:35 PM
#65
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No problem at all. There are areas where it is dangerous to pass for sure, but the roads where I see this behavior are not those road. I'll take a lane when approaching an intersection, and I'll also slow and stop short to let motorized traffic behind me go through first if they're stacked up behind me.
When it is not safe, take the lane. Otherwise stay towards the right.
06-17-12, 11:48 PM
#66
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I'm sick of seeing weekend warriors on the roads I frequent doing 15mph tucked into their aerobars and staying a foot or two to the right of the double yellow on 55mph roads.
Stay to the right of the lane for your own safety and respect for other users of the roads -- cars, bikes, MCs, farm equipment, I don't care. If you are not the fastest vehicle on the road then move to the right. Hogging the lane to 'protect your right' may be legal, but it's just damn rude to vehicle traffic. A driver that gets stuck behind some asshat in the middle of the lane is going to remember that inconvenience for a long time. Move to the right so they can pass you safely with minimal intrusion into the other traffic lane.
Try to keep your view of the white line between your front wheel and shifter. If it's outside your shifter you are too far over.
Stay to the right. Even if the road is rough riding on the white line itself can be smoother than the middle of the lane.
Stay to the right of the lane for your own safety and respect for other users of the roads -- cars, bikes, MCs, farm equipment, I don't care. If you are not the fastest vehicle on the road then move to the right. Hogging the lane to 'protect your right' may be legal, but it's just damn rude to vehicle traffic. A driver that gets stuck behind some asshat in the middle of the lane is going to remember that inconvenience for a long time. Move to the right so they can pass you safely with minimal intrusion into the other traffic lane.
Try to keep your view of the white line between your front wheel and shifter. If it's outside your shifter you are too far over.
Stay to the right. Even if the road is rough riding on the white line itself can be smoother than the middle of the lane.
06-17-12, 11:54 PM
#67
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I'm with this guy, I see too many people riding in the middle of the lane going 15mph, it's annoys me and it annoys drivers even more. And these are the same people that get angry when someone honks or yells at them, what do you expect when you are blocking the whole lane going 15mph on a 30mph+ road?? I don't have a problem with riding on the edge of the road, why do you guys have to take the lane? I hate all the "it's our right to take the lane" c**p, your rights are not going to help you if you get hit by a car and get killed.
06-18-12, 02:19 AM
#68
Cycle Year Round
Too bad you did not learn from your first right hook. I am certainly not going to take advice from a mostly MUP riding guy that does not play straight with the forum.
Yesterday while going to school in the morning I was riding on the road at about 15 mph.
All of a sudden a car pulled up a little bit in front of me and quickly turned right(no blinker) into a parking lot. The car was right in front of me and I had no time to brake, so I crashed into the side of the car. I don't even think the driver even noticed! He just kept on going while I was getting of the ground. By the time I got up he had disappeared!
Fortunately my bike was in working condition, but the shifters are scratched badly and the wheel was kinda bent. Meanwhile my fingers had gotten crushed between the car and the shifters. They were bleeding, but no major damage. I was furious after that! I went into the parking lot, but could not find the car so I just went on my way.
Still kinda angry that I never got to see the driver and that he didn't stop.
All of a sudden a car pulled up a little bit in front of me and quickly turned right(no blinker) into a parking lot. The car was right in front of me and I had no time to brake, so I crashed into the side of the car. I don't even think the driver even noticed! He just kept on going while I was getting of the ground. By the time I got up he had disappeared!
Fortunately my bike was in working condition, but the shifters are scratched badly and the wheel was kinda bent. Meanwhile my fingers had gotten crushed between the car and the shifters. They were bleeding, but no major damage. I was furious after that! I went into the parking lot, but could not find the car so I just went on my way.
Still kinda angry that I never got to see the driver and that he didn't stop.
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06-18-12, 04:12 AM
#69
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I think we could have this argument forever, but it comes down to attitude. If you're taking the lane because you need to to be seen and there not enough room to share, then most drivers are going to think "fair enough". But if you display a discourteous attitude, it doesn't matter whether you ride to the right, centre or left; it will give us all a bad reputation. So whatever you do, try to appear considerate and courteous.
06-18-12, 04:42 AM
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That's the problem right there, not the fact that he was riding further out into the lane. If someone is willing to pass unsafely in this fashion, they will likely do so regardless of how far out they have to move.
06-18-12, 05:03 AM
#72
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just because a lane in georgia is 'too narrow to share' doesn't mean cyclists get to ignore their duty of care and fail to consider traffic laws in their totality.
riders in a lane 'too narrow to share' 
- are still statutorily bound to be reasonable about riding away from the right side. In georgia by statue, and in every state by common law that forms the foundations of statutory law.
yes, the confused 'bicycle rights' motif is a growing one in america- somehow a growing number of bicyclists now think its acceptable to relentlessly tool along at the center lane stripe anytime a lane isn't 15 feet wide.
That interpretation of bicycle rights is ABSURD.
the correct interpretation of "FRAP unless the lane is narrow" laws is : choose a reasonable & safe lane position away from the right.
take the lane when needed, ride as far right as is safe and reasonable.
Originally Posted by GA traffic code 40-6-294
every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road.
- are still statutorily bound to be reasonable about riding away from the right side. In georgia by statue, and in every state by common law that forms the foundations of statutory law.yes, the confused 'bicycle rights' motif is a growing one in america- somehow a growing number of bicyclists now think its acceptable to relentlessly tool along at the center lane stripe anytime a lane isn't 15 feet wide.
That interpretation of bicycle rights is ABSURD.
the correct interpretation of "FRAP unless the lane is narrow" laws is : choose a reasonable & safe lane position away from the right.
take the lane when needed, ride as far right as is safe and reasonable.
Last edited by Bekologist; 06-18-12 at 05:48 AM.
06-18-12, 05:14 AM
#73
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Bullpucky.
Partial lane changes to pass a slower vehicle -especially a narrow, slow moving one driven predominately to the right - are legal in EVERY state.
it's even legal to partially cross solid double yellow lines in some states if passing slow vehicles can be done so safely.
Partial lane changes to pass a slower vehicle -especially a narrow, slow moving one driven predominately to the right - are legal in EVERY state.
it's even legal to partially cross solid double yellow lines in some states if passing slow vehicles can be done so safely.
06-18-12, 05:36 AM
#74
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riding skills FLASH:
Riders that think they need to be relentlessly positioned 12 feet out in a 13 foot wide lane on two lane, 55mph state highways to prevent 'partial lane changes to pass' are aggrandizing their rights, ignoring their road responsibilities, and doing something wrong.
get a grip, ride wise, ride right, ride far left in the lane only when reasonably necessary for your safety. Riding in a manner to prevent partial lane changes to pass simply to prevent a partial lane change to pass is aggrandizing road behavior..... it would be aggrandizing absolutism by a moped driver travelling 20 mph, a horse drawn cart moving 5 miles an hour, and a bicyclist moving 15 miles an hour.
Riders that think they need to be relentlessly positioned 12 feet out in a 13 foot wide lane on two lane, 55mph state highways to prevent 'partial lane changes to pass' are aggrandizing their rights, ignoring their road responsibilities, and doing something wrong.
get a grip, ride wise, ride right, ride far left in the lane only when reasonably necessary for your safety. Riding in a manner to prevent partial lane changes to pass simply to prevent a partial lane change to pass is aggrandizing road behavior..... it would be aggrandizing absolutism by a moped driver travelling 20 mph, a horse drawn cart moving 5 miles an hour, and a bicyclist moving 15 miles an hour.
Last edited by Bekologist; 06-18-12 at 05:43 AM.
06-18-12, 09:14 AM
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Let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. On a 2 laner when 2 cars coming from the opposite direction decided to pass a slower one. Neither one got around the slower one before we all merged. Luckily, I had some shoulder and was inside the white line as far as I could go. Had I been out there close to the yellow(because it was my right) my kids would be fatherless today on Father's Day! As it was, I just saw my life pass before my eyes! I'm ordering another front blinkie light as I type.