CB HI

Florida's Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) law has allowed crossing the yellow line when safe for passing any SMV since before I took their drivers test in 1976.

dguest

I can see where a lot of people believe we have the right to be on the road with our bicycles, I totally agree. I also agree that in theory we have the right to take the lane legally. But in an environment where the car is much larger much stronger and much faster than us there are some of these rights we may have to defer in order to stay alive. In my opinion my choice is going to be give the lane and go single file and let the cars pass, instead of being dead right for taking the lane. In the very recent past there have been cyclists killed in accidents with cars for trying to prove they were right. In one case the cyclist was struck by a female driver that never even slowed down after striking him. Once she was tracked down by the same trooper that was involved in this incident she stated that she needed to get home. The trooper did his job and arrested her for felony homicide by vehicle, driving while license was revoke for 4 previous DUIs and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury (felony). Once this case went to trial the jury found the driver guilty of driving while license revoked and sentenced her to 8 months probation and permanent revocation of her license. So after speaking to the trooper again today I asked him about the incident and his response was he wanted the cyclists to understand that even though they were correct according to the law it may be in their best interest to think about their safety when they are challenging a 2000 pound car to prove they are right.

Frosty861

This is very much like the maritime Rules of the Road, the boat on Starboard may have the right of way but it comes down to one thing...big boat, little boat. And I'm always in the little boat.

AzTallRider

Your argument presumes it is safer to hug the side of the road, allowing cars to squeeze by, instead of taking the lane, requiring them to either wait, or to pass you by changing lanes - just as they would do to pass a car, truck, forklift, or whatever. Most experienced cyclists, especially those of us who commute in traffic, believe your presumption to be wrong. There are far more cyclists hit while on the shoulder, in a bike lane, or riding far to the right, than there are cyclists run down from behind when they are in the middle of a lane. Motorists may get pissed, but they see you. I'd rather have a driver honk and yell at me, than brush by, knocking me onto the sidewalk or shoulder as they drive away.

dguest

You opinion is valid but I am not going to risk my life with some dumb red neck that really could care less and knows that nothing is going to happen. But then that is why people have opinions and need to do what they fell is best for them. The woman did see the cyclist and he did have bright clothing on the impact was center grill so I do not think he was on the edge or she even felt she needed to go in the other lane. She just needed to go up the road. This is not in every case. But there are no bike lanes here and all these routes are marked as bike routes and the share the road sign is everywhere. Actually I have seen where these signs do nothing but make the drivers even more aggressive.

CB HI

+1
There are numerous stories of cyclist on shoulders and bike lanes getting run over and killed. Hawaii even had a cyclist killed while sidewalk riding. One of our own BF members was killed in the bike lane.

Seems dguest thinks I am dead by about 12,000 times over (maybe he thinks I am even dead right).

12,000 = approximate number of cycle commutes (6,000 days of commuting) during which I needed to take the lane for my safety over the years.

Robert Foster

That excuse only works if you are talking to a person that doesn't ride almost every day in or with traffic. It is a rationalization for doing something that makes you a wider obstical not a smaller one. When you are behind a SMV like a EV is it easier to pass if they are driving 2 abreast?

And isn't it the driver of the car that is responsible for passing safely? Are you saying the cyclist is taking that responsibility? Do you ride in group rides much? Is there a signal for double up?

I have never seen a line of slow moving trucks on a three lane road double up so I can pass quicker.

Don't know all of the details but it seems as if the cyclists were a bit like the critical mass people, simply trying to piss off the drivers so after they leave the driver can take it out on normal riders. Just saying.

AzTallRider

Whether to squeeze to the side or take the lane is a decision I make most every day. Like many things, we are playing the probabilities, and there is one short, high speed stretch where I really should take the lane, but generally don't. There are clearly instances where you are going to be run down no matter what, and there are no doubt times when someone like that woman may not have hit you if you were squeezed on the side. But, from a probability of safe passage standpoint, taking the lane wins.

CB HI

These are the type of riders that truly dislike any critical mass rides that do not follow the laws. Your attempted comparisons are completely off base.

NOS88

At this point, I have to ask, do any of you really think you're going to change the minds of those who have been most prolific and impassioned in this discussion?

AzTallRider

Ah.. last I checked, bikes were a lot narrower than trucks. Try again. And maybe read the thread?

In the groups I ride with, the "double up" sign is typically a horizontal circular motion, indicating a rotating paceline. Or someone simply creating a second line.

You have no basis for your allegations concerning the intent of these riders. "Just Sayin"

dguest

NO and have no intent too. Just putting this out for thought and friendly debate. I am glad to see there is not any name calling and believe a debate and discussion is good.

CB HI

Not in the old farts forum, but in some of the other forums the discussion has gotten some cyclist to thinking and reading.

I have chanced the views of several new cyclist I have talked with. I have even fixed a cop and several motorist.

I am not sure it is still happening, but the Hawaii Bicycle League did and may still teach a short class at the Honolulu Police Academy on VC and the reasons, plus the bike laws. One of the reasons we have few conflicts with younger cops here.

Old Whitebelly

(deleted)

CB HI

That was the other thread. Take your meds and sort the confusion out.

curbtender

I ride mostlly as a single. A group ride for me is 3-5. Out here when it gets more organized I see share the road signs, flags and police escort. I'm pretty sure that training rides of larger groups follow a course that's proven to be a safer ride. I see towns, that get overwhelmed with unscheduled riders, pass laws to limit thier group size. I'm sure they do this to give the locals as well as the cyclist a safer ride. On the road we hear more road noise than drivers do and know when we need to take the lane. Or maybe the lack of hearing is why it's posted here in the 50's?

Old Whitebelly

You are right, my mistake. Thanks for pointing it out in a nice friendly manner too, brah

Robert Foster

Nor do you I might add. Neither of us was as close to the situation as the OP. His assessment should have more weight than either of ours. If I assume a car can kill me moving to the left, for those of us that drive on the right is putting myself closer to said dangerous vehicle. I don't remove the safety guard on my table saw for the same reason, I prefer my body parts stay away from the saw blade.

But NOS88 is right. Wasted breath, and who really cares what happens to them or what the officer said?

CB HI

Your welcome, reponse offered in the same friendly manner as the friendly post.

Robert Foster

your opinion. neither more or less valid because you weren't there.

Mr. Beanz

Well that settles it as there has "NEVER" been a foum member killed while taking the lane.

NOS88

I was born with my hearing loss.

CB HI

Yeah, jump my case for pointing out the faulty logic, while you ignore the faulty logic:

CB HI

Says the guy with all the opinions that he insist are right.

big john

Yes, there has. I think the one he is referring to is Sidney, who was killed by an idiot teen who was downloading ringtones on his phone.