Passed while speeding
09-11-07 | 11:26 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 7
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Bikes: '84 Centurion Accordo RS, '06 Gary Fisher Marlin, '06 Schwinn Fastback 27, '06 Litespeed Teramo
One good side effect of riding my bike verywhere is that is has helped me become a more relaxed driver as well. I have gotten used to purposely picking a slower (but healthier and cheaper) mode of transport to work. If I can find an extra 10 minutes in the morning and at night, why not find it when I am driving my car somewhere else. I try very hard never to speed in town, but on the highway you will NOT see me in the slow lane.
Happy riding,
André
Happy riding,
André
09-11-07 | 12:49 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 4
From: Davis CA
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check, '85 Giant road bike (unrecogizable fixed-gear conversion
There's a popular misconception among motorists that one is legally required, or at least permitted, to travel "the speed of traffic" even if that speed is in excess of the posted limit.
I learned this when I tried to contest a speeding ticket a couple decades ago. I was going 70 on the freeway and people were passing me. All the judge said was "two wrongs don't make a right. That'll be $100."
I learned this when I tried to contest a speeding ticket a couple decades ago. I was going 70 on the freeway and people were passing me. All the judge said was "two wrongs don't make a right. That'll be $100."
09-11-07 | 01:19 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Disgruntled grad student
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Champaign, IL
Here's a link to the Illinois bike laws (subsection from the road laws).
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1990 Trek 330
2006 Trek 7.2FX
2006 Trek 7.3FX (Wifey's Steed)
1990 Trek 330
2006 Trek 7.2FX
2006 Trek 7.3FX (Wifey's Steed)
Last edited by beingtxstate; 09-11-07 at 01:24 PM.
09-11-07 | 01:53 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
Likes: 8
From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I had a guy peel out next to me when a light went green, and then get stuck right in front of me at the light on the next block. I applauded him and said "Congratulations. Your car can outrun a chubby guy on a bicycle."
He turned up his stereo so he couldn't hear anything else I might say.
He turned up his stereo so he couldn't hear anything else I might say.
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
- Mandi M.
09-11-07 | 03:16 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: Steelman eurocross, Surly CrossCheck, IRO Rob Roy...
Had an odd expereince today that 1)points out something I did wrong, and 2)perpetuates the typical cager/JAM image.
On my commute to school today I was passed as I was doing 29 in a 25. The university district in my town has a well posted universal limit of 25. I ride down Green St. which is a two lane with a middle turn lane, and since it is narrow, and the limit is 25, I generally take the lane and cruise at the limit. Well today, I was feeling fiesty (it was the first truely 'cool' day) and was moving between 29 and 30. In the narrow, busiest part of the road, a JAM in a 'pimped' japenese sports car roars past me in the turn lane at around 45
this was very close to an intersection, and if there had been anybody turning, my goose would have been cooked. Of course said JAM was caught by the next light, and as I filtered through (legal here) I politely shouted in his window "the speed limit is 25" and went on my way.
Nothing more happened other than I continuely filtered past him at each light, probably pissing him off more each time
All of this got me thinking about the fact that it is truly rare as a biker (ie commuter) to actually hold the speed limit let alone break it. Do you guys ever worry about actually speeding? I was traveling pretty much with traffic flow, but technically a cop could have ticketed me.
-Frank
On my commute to school today I was passed as I was doing 29 in a 25. The university district in my town has a well posted universal limit of 25. I ride down Green St. which is a two lane with a middle turn lane, and since it is narrow, and the limit is 25, I generally take the lane and cruise at the limit. Well today, I was feeling fiesty (it was the first truely 'cool' day) and was moving between 29 and 30. In the narrow, busiest part of the road, a JAM in a 'pimped' japenese sports car roars past me in the turn lane at around 45
this was very close to an intersection, and if there had been anybody turning, my goose would have been cooked. Of course said JAM was caught by the next light, and as I filtered through (legal here) I politely shouted in his window "the speed limit is 25" and went on my way.
Nothing more happened other than I continuely filtered past him at each light, probably pissing him off more each time
All of this got me thinking about the fact that it is truly rare as a biker (ie commuter) to actually hold the speed limit let alone break it. Do you guys ever worry about actually speeding? I was traveling pretty much with traffic flow, but technically a cop could have ticketed me.
-Frank
09-11-07 | 03:28 PM
#32
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Here is the reasoning:
Quote:
"Why are speeders allowed an 11 mph buffer?
The 10 MPH margin is intended to address language in the Arizona Revised Statutes related to speed offenses that defines, "...reasonable and prudent..." speed. It also provides a reasonable margin of error/grace for inaccurate vehicle speedometers and short-term lapses of attention by otherwise law-abiding and generally cautious drivers.
Our primary focus is on intentional, aggressive and negligent drivers. Statistics tell us that at 10 MPH over the posted speed limit, the probability of being involved in a crash doubles. However, at 20 MPH over, the probability increases to 11 times greater. We are trying to change the driving behavior of those persons who are most likely to cause crashes."
09-11-07 | 04:10 PM
#33
Conservative Hippie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 0
From: Wakulla Co. FL
...Of course said JAM was caught by the next light, and as I filtered through (legal here) I politely shouted in his window "the speed limit is 25" and went on my way.
Nothing more happened other than I continuely filtered past him at each light, probably pissing him off more each time
Nothing more happened other than I continuely filtered past him at each light, probably pissing him off more each time
I got warned by a LEO one time, a few years ago, for speeding...and I was speeding, in the middle of the motor vehicle lane. He was on foot and it was just a hand signal to slow it down. I did, until I got around the curve and out of his sight. He had seen me at this location before and after that particular day, and nothing else came of it.
As for being passed, I was in my canoe fishing the St. Marks River this past weekend, and got to thinking about the powerboats going by. Some would slow to pass, others would not. Some slowed to idle speed, others only slowed to off plane, throwing a larger wake. I started equating this to cars and cycling. What I came up with is; as long as a safe distance is kept, I would rather be passed at a higher rate of speed. The faster they pass, the sooner the get the heck away from me.
I can be a very sociable person when I want to be. I rarely want to be.
09-11-07 | 06:20 PM
#34
www.chipsea.blogspot.com
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: South of Dallas, Texas
Bikes: Giant OCR C0 road
Yes - I'm not a militant angry cyclist (most days) but this annoys me to no end, especially approaching a stop sign when someone zooms around me.
If I hear a car approaching while coming to a red light I often speed up instead of lazily coasting to a stop like normal. And take the lane more to prevent getting passed/cut off.
If I hear a car approaching while coming to a red light I often speed up instead of lazily coasting to a stop like normal. And take the lane more to prevent getting passed/cut off.
When that happens I will filter forward to the front of that car, either to the crosswalk lines or to just behind the the car in front of it, and take the lane. Yes I know: petty. But outside of this I am a paragon of virtue!
