I just wrote and sent this to the local paper
#26
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Probably rare and potentially shows my age but in drivers ed on my first "drive" I remember going around a tight corner and being more worried about cars coming across the line and drove a bit towards or in the shoulder.
I then got reemed by the instructor about staying off the side of the road because of peds and cyclists and if I had to choose I should clip or hit a car instead of a person.
I then got reemed by the instructor about staying off the side of the road because of peds and cyclists and if I had to choose I should clip or hit a car instead of a person.
Driver ed teaches several lane positions (5 to be exact) depending on the situation. Those positions can take you from the middle of the lane to over either the middle or fog line. Students are taught that if a vehicle is coming that prevents the far left lane position to pass a cyclist, wait until the traffic clears so you can.
Again, don't blame driver ed. Blame impatient drivers.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 73
From: Vandalia OH
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Quick 5, 2014 Raleigh Revenio 2.0
Ironically as it is I'm going into audio production, where most of the better schools don't factor act scores in. Although I'm equally interested in political science and/or philosophy.
You know the best cager moment was when this trashy teal Ford Escort did the whole "get your @$$ off the road!" thing. It had a fish logo on the back as well.
WonderMonkey, I have a good friend of mine that lives in Beavercreek, OH. Do you know where that is?
You know the best cager moment was when this trashy teal Ford Escort did the whole "get your @$$ off the road!" thing. It had a fish logo on the back as well.
WonderMonkey, I have a good friend of mine that lives in Beavercreek, OH. Do you know where that is?
Beavercreek is about 20 minutes from me, a bit south east.
#28
52-week commuter
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 1
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Redline Conquest, Cannonday, Specialized, RANS
Driver ed teaches several lane positions (5 to be exact) depending on the situation. Those positions can take you from the middle of the lane to over either the middle or fog line. Students are taught that if a vehicle is coming that prevents the far left lane position to pass a cyclist, wait until the traffic clears so you can.
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The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation's capital representation in the national legislature. District residents have no vote in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. www.dcvote.org
#29
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
Likes: 1
From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Just out of curiosity, is the "far left lane position" staying within the same lane? It seems that it never occurs to a lot of drivers that they can leave their lane to pass a cyclist. They seem to think their only options are either buzzing or tailgating until you pull over.
I've noticed this same behavior. Maybe a lot of them just act like they can't cross it to more or less to give us a message to move over or get off the road.
__________________
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#30
beatz down lo|seatz up hi
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: Missouri, USA
Bikes: A 2007 Trek 4300. 22.5", 1981 Trek 610 24" (61cm)
#31
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I have several 90 degree wide bends in the road between town and my house (this is not my cycling route, 99% of the time). The road has about a 2 foot shoulder. Almost every car cuts the corner so tight that they're OVER the shoulder and on the gravel. People on the outside lane are sometimes 2+ feet into the inner lane.
When I'm in my car I make it a point to stay inside the lines. If there's a car coming the other way, I try to hold my line and make them get the hell back into their lane. Sometimes I wind up giving a little to avoid a collision, but they get an earful of horn for my trouble.
I think I've seen a SMALL amount of change in the number of people that stay in their lanes around those corners since I've started doing that.
I DO ride that way sometimes, and I'd prefer it if people weren't coming up behind me (usually 20+ over the posted limit) driving straddling the shoulder...
When I'm in my car I make it a point to stay inside the lines. If there's a car coming the other way, I try to hold my line and make them get the hell back into their lane. Sometimes I wind up giving a little to avoid a collision, but they get an earful of horn for my trouble.
I think I've seen a SMALL amount of change in the number of people that stay in their lanes around those corners since I've started doing that.
I DO ride that way sometimes, and I'd prefer it if people weren't coming up behind me (usually 20+ over the posted limit) driving straddling the shoulder...
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Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 5
From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Schwinn Paramount P15, Fisher Montare, Proteus, Rivendell Quickbeam
I disagree. If you confront someone by yelling, screaming and tearing off parts of their motor vehicles, then all they are thinking of is retaliation no matter what they did. Most times people don't even realize what they did wrong and never will if you tear off their mirror. Have you ever made a mistake while driving? Did someone tear off your mirror for it?
Officer, I had to run over that biker because that crazy s.o.b. had already ripped my mirror off and was trying to kill me. It was self defense.
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 73
From: Vandalia OH
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Quick 5, 2014 Raleigh Revenio 2.0
I disagree. If you confront someone by yelling, screaming and tearing off parts of their motor vehicles, then all they are thinking of is retaliation no matter what they did. Most times people don't even realize what they did wrong and never will if you tear off their mirror. Have you ever made a mistake while driving? Did someone tear off your mirror for it?
Officer, I had to run over that biker because that crazy s.o.b. had already ripped my mirror off and was trying to kill me. It was self defense.
Officer, I had to run over that biker because that crazy s.o.b. had already ripped my mirror off and was trying to kill me. It was self defense.





