FBinNY 

+1,

I generally ride in the right 1/3 of the lane so I'm more squarely in driver's line of sight. Then I'd move over and wave the driver around when passing was safe.

B. Carfree

That flashing sign has the same meaning as a sign that says "Cyclists may use full lane" and the old "Share the Road" signs. They are all reminders to motorists to perform their duties, obey the law and don't hit things or people who are in front of them. Rather than place millions of extra signs all across America, perhaps we should just do a better job of requiring motorists to know and understand the vehicle code.

Of course, with over half of all licensed drivers in California failing the knowledge test when required to take it for renewal, my suggestion is clearly a pretty tall order.https://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/profile/...evaluation.htm

FBinNY 

The issue may not be one of requiring motorists and police to know the law, but the more fundamental issue of informing them. NYS has a 3' passing law for about 3 years or so, and yet there's not been the least bit of effort to publicize the law. Are we seriously expecting people to be psychic? How can we expect or require them to obey laws they have no of knowing the existence of?

We need the states to take their laws seriously enough to pay for PSAs and other advertisements to inform the public of what's expected. While it's ridiculous to expect universal good will, most drivers would willingly share the road if they were told what the rules were.

BTW- to the OP, I'm curious, how does the sign detect a bicycle and know when to flash?

njkayaker

Asked and answered earlier in the thread.

Chris516

The motorcycle officer really needs to brush up on the CVC, and any codes specific to LA County.

FBinNY 

Yes, the FTR rule is totally misunderstood by most of the population, cyclists, motorists, and police officers included. I don't know California law, but in NYS a cyclist cannot be cited for impeding if he's proceeding in the right lane at whatever speed he can muster. This is the same rule as for construction equipment, or any other slow moving vehicle. To accuse you of impeding the state would have to show, that you were intentionally holding up traffic.

OTOH, when I'm on narrow 2 lane roads where safe passing is difficult, and a few cars have accumulated behind me, I'll look for a decent stretch where I can move farther right and allow them all to pass. This is partly courtesy, and partly survival because if a long line forms someone will get impatient and pass, possibly in a poorly chosen place.

TromboneAl

Here is what I wrote to ODOT on their web site's contact form:

FBinNY 

How about something clearer and to the point? "bicyclists use full lane".

TromboneAl

I'm not sure I understand that. "Bicyclists: Please use full lane," "Warnng: Bicycles will use the entire lane", "Warning: Bicycles do use the entire lane."

This:



pretty concisely says: "Bicyclists are allowed to use the full lane, so you may encounter one that is doing so. Don't get road rage."

And, I realized that the bridge is in California, so I sent that suggestion to CalTrans.

Jseis 

Interesting to see what WSDOT and ODOT do on the 4.2 mile long Astoria-Megler Bridge (US101). It was re-striped a few years ago and has a decent space (~3') right of fog line. On Hood to Coast and Kite Festival weekend a cyclist asked me if she should take the lane. I said no because there is space and a 4 mile rolling slow down with hundreds of accelerating cars going around cyclists into a heavily traveled opposing lane is more dangerous than 45/50 mph weekend traffic. Bridge painting really slowed cars down as well.

FBinNY 

I guess language varies through the USA.

Here in NY there's lots of signage in the imperative tense, as in "use 2 lanes", "keep Right" etc.

If the may use full lane, implies that permission is granted, but motorists may feel that cyclists should move over for them.

Bicyclists use full lane is a direct instruction, leaving no option. If motorists don't like it, they can't blame the cyclist, they have to take it up with the DOT.

Alternatively they could instruct motortists "Do not pass bicycle in the same lane".

gsa103

This is a very important distinction and I agree completely with the "Bicyclists USE full lane" instruction.

One other thing, I would probably go VERY far out of my way to avoid that bridge. No way I'm crossing that. You're left to choose 2 bad options:

1) Take the lane and risk an inattentive driver going 70 mph not seeing you until its too late. The speed differential is way to high for a slow moving object like a bicycle. Think about how often furniture in the freeway causes accidents.

2) Stay right and get tons of dangerous passes.

The only realistic option is basically to target a slow moving truck to use as a road block for you. Alternatively, dial to 400W and wind suck behind a truck at 50 mph.

FBinNY 

Thanks for the endorsement, but I wouldn't let a narrow bridge intimidate me. Thses are often at critical points where the options for avoidance are very limited.

We have a similar bridge here, with an open steel deck to boot. It's well signed, "Caution, Narrow Bridge" and I've never had a problem with an impatient driver or dangerous pass. BTW- this bridge is so narrow that cars going in opposite directions slow to 10-15mph to pass each other, and many drivers come to a stop if they have a truck coming the other way. Sometimes, narrower is actually safer than wide enough to inspire (false) confidence.

TromboneAl

Here's their response. Wow, huh?

FBinNY 

Congratulations on making a difference.

Who says government officials aren't responsive? This is proof that they can be if a problem is brought to their attention and a reasonable remedy offered.

Let's hope they get the sign replaced before the bridge.

556x45

I'd take the lane on this one.

buzzman

Cool. A rare event in A&S. Someone actually takes an action on an issue and then, wow, actually gets a result. Or more accurately, gets a promise of a result. Keep us updated. But good job!

Gallo

Clearly you had the right to the full lane. I do not know where else you could go safely. Officer got it way wrong and your reaction with courtesy was perfect