Bike Forums - How far in to ride?

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How far in to ride?

In the right lane here, how far in would you ride? On the edge of the pavement, or in further? This actually widens up quite a lot as you go further east on the road, and not too far east. The right lane is wider than the left lane by a little bit, but it is kind of iffy on if it's wide enough for both car and bicycle with proper distance between.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...18.08,,0,17.71

I'd ride on the sidewalk. It looks like a nice one.

Maybe it is different in CO, but everyone (including cops) are delighted when cyclists stay out of the way of auto traffic.

What does your laws say? Mine I believe are as far to the right as reasonably possible, or something to that effect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lot's Knife (Post 10706769)

Right tire track.

Thats what I would say. If you give a vehicle the road, they will definately take it. Take your space and they have to go around

I remember when I first started road cycling, I used to stay on the white line or further right if there was space and cars would near about hit me with there mirror. Then I started riding with more cyclist and they stayed close to the right tire track and cars would'nt even come close.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyZ (Post 10706755)

I'd ride on the sidewalk. It looks like a nice one.

Maybe it is different in CO, but everyone (including cops) are delighted when cyclists stay out of the way of auto traffic.

Around here, the pedestrians will yell "get off the sidewalk!" at you. Rightfully so, since by default it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk in WI. (Madison has an ordinance permitting it, but only in residential areas... I'm close enough to downtown that most places I ride it is also illegal)

It's also pretty damn dangerous to ride on the sidewalks in a lot of situations. Pedestrians only move at about 2-4mph, so drivers are not looking for an 8-15mph bike rider. And sidewalk pavement is usually a lot nastier to ride on than the street. I'll do it when it's the only real connector, and it's a stretch of legal sidewalk, but I'm not a fan.

If I'm going straight, I'm usually in the right tire track on a road. There are stretches of road where I might take the left tire track for straight, but usually I'm there to set up a turn. On arterials, I normally have a bike lane, so I use that.

i would ride near the right tire track.

5 feet out from the curb.

one tad on the pavement, next to the concrete. just enough to not get that salt built up on the side

I would probably ride it in the right tire track. When traffic approached from behind, if the lane was definitely wide enough for a safe pass within the lane (i.e., lane width greater than 14 feet), I would squeeze right to let traffic through within the lane, but only if I was convinced that such passing was safe, and I would go back to the right tire track after the motor traffic passed me. If motor traffic was heavy and impatient and the sidewalk was clear of debris, I would consider taking that, but it wouldn't be my first choice. I suspect that there are few pedestrians on that stretch.

You should probably find out what the local laws are concerning riding a bicycle on the sidewalk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyZ (Post 10706755)

I'd ride on the sidewalk. It looks like a nice one.

Agree - especially since it doesn't seem to have many pedestrians at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyZ (Post 10706755)

I'd ride on the sidewalk. It looks like a nice one.

Maybe it is different in CO, but everyone (including cops) are delighted when cyclists stay out of the way of auto traffic.

And the pedestrians don't mint either, I guess? :p

since there are no parked cars and it seems like a high speed area; I would ride just on the left edge of that big white line going down the right shoulder near the curb. I would also suggest 2 bright rear strobes - especially for when you are under the overpasses.

if you get buzzed dangerously close then you might have to do some traffic herding, but honestly - if it's just this section we are talking about - you be better off taking the sidewalk for that 1/2 mile or whatever it is. Doesn't look like an pedestrian area.

Between the ight tire track and center of outside lane. If you ride to far right drivers will not merge early to pass.

I've ridden that road a few times during rush hour. Right tire track of the right lane.

I would ride about a meter out from the curb.

About a third of the way into the lane. I always use a mirror as well, so if people do not appear to be changing lanes to pass me early enough I would probably weave around a bit to get their attention.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyZ (Post 10706755)

I'd ride on the sidewalk. It looks like a nice one.

Maybe it is different in CO, but everyone (including cops) are delighted when cyclists stay out of the way of auto traffic.

Ditto - from the pic, I wouldn't say it's a "sidewalk" as much as it's a "bike path". If you look around at the ariel view it's obviously a path for non-motorized transportation, not just an obligatory neighborhood sidewalk. If you look either direction, they seem to have gone out of their way to keep any intersections with the street to a minimum.

I'd take the bike path through.

If the traffic is thick and fast and there are very few pedestrians, I'd use the sidewalk. Otherwise right tire track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by exile (Post 10706804)

What does your laws say? Mine I believe are as far to the right as reasonably possible, or something to that effect.

This is what CO law says as well. That is why I am asking... what do other believe is "reasonably possible" for this section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeshoup (Post 10708002)

I've ridden that road a few times during rush hour. Right tire track of the right lane.

I was hoping a local would post up. Thanx.

Do you know if CO prohibits sidewalk riding? I know there is this:

Quote:

# Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right-hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder. These provisions shall apply, except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards.

But I don't know if sidewalk riding is actually prohibited.

edit: I should have kept reading:

Quote:

#

1. A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
2. A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.
A person riding or walking a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 42-4-802.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedwagon98 (Post 10710504)

I was hoping a local would post up. Thanx.

If you give them any more room than that, expect to be buzzed, realllllyyyyyy close.

Generally, riding on the sidewalk is like playing with your toy bike.

Didn't see the sidewalk question.

It is not against CO law to ride on the sidewalks. Only municipality I can think that its illegal in is city and county of Denver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanMM (Post 10710627)

Generally, riding on the sidewalk is like playing with your toy bike.

Generally, riding on a highway with 50mph traffic and getting hit means no more playing with your toy KHS.