How far in to ride?
04-22-10 | 01:14 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Sirrus
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.
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...18.08,,0,17.71
https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...18.08,,0,17.71
04-22-10 | 03:27 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: 1997 Schwinn Searcher GS, 2007 Dahon Curve D3
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.
Maybe it is different in CO, but everyone (including cops) are delighted when cyclists stay out of the way of auto traffic.
04-22-10 | 04:39 AM
#5
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Wilson NC
Bikes: 09 Giant Defy 3
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.
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.
04-22-10 | 04:47 AM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
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.
04-22-10 | 06:59 AM
#10
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
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.
You should probably find out what the local laws are concerning riding a bicycle on the sidewalk.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
04-22-10 | 08:00 AM
#11
Very, very Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Bikes: 2012 Surly Troll, 1999 Hardtail MTB
04-22-10 | 08:27 AM
#12
Bike addict, dreamer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,165
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York
04-22-10 | 08:31 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,506
Likes: 4,579
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
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.
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.
04-22-10 | 10:00 AM
#14
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
Between the ight tire track and center of outside lane. If you ride to far right drivers will not merge early to pass.
04-22-10 | 11:22 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 961
Likes: 0
From: the Georgia Strait
Bikes: Devinci Caribou, Kona Dew Plus, Raleigh Twenty
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.
04-22-10 | 11:27 AM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
I'd take the bike path through.
04-22-10 | 06:45 PM
#20
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Sirrus
04-22-10 | 06:46 PM
#21
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Sirrus
Do you know if CO prohibits sidewalk riding? I know there is this:
# 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.
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.
edit: I should have kept reading:
#
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.
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.
Last edited by Speedwagon98; 04-22-10 at 06:55 PM.
04-22-10 | 07:14 PM
#23
rebmeM roineS
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,231
Likes: 366
From: Metro Indy, IN
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Generally, riding on the sidewalk is like playing with your toy bike.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
04-22-10 | 08:50 PM
#25
Very, very Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Bikes: 2012 Surly Troll, 1999 Hardtail MTB