Not acceptable to pass someone on a bridge?
05-26-12 | 10:08 PM
#26
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My opinion is that the 3 foot rule applies whether you are in a car or on a bike. In other words none of us likes to have someone go past really close because it would mean that if we had swerved a little, for any reason, it would have resulted in an accident including most likely some broken bones and/or bike damage and no riding for a week or two. So if we use the old "do unto others....." rule - you should only pass someone closer than 3 ft, if YOU would like someone to pass YOU closer than 3 ft.
Judge: Why didn't you give the plaintiff three feet, before passing?
Defendant: I did give that idiot three feet!
Judge: Did the defendant give you three feet before passing, plaintiff?
Plaintiff: No, absolutely not! That moron didn't even give me one foot! That's why my collar bone is broken! I was startled, and it threw me off course!
So you see, you'd have to practically bring a yardstick, in order to make that determination!
Also, there's the real moron, who just doesn't give a darn. He passes you at 20 mph within an inch of clearance. What's his penalty for ignoring the three-foot rule?...Nothing! Therefore, the rule is unenforcible. That means that it's meaningless!
We've just got to have written laws that are enforcible!
I could imagine some anal person right now, sticking his yardstick out, just to see if it's legal (not necessarily safe) to pass.
Last edited by SlimRider; 05-27-12 at 01:16 PM.
05-26-12 | 11:11 PM
#27
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@Nightshade
In my original post I mentioned that I did call it out and that they did move over, but as I passed they got mad. I also said that the bridge was no more constricting than the path we were riding; it was the same width. On top of all that they were going way slower than the speed limit and I was going the speed limit, to pass them I slowed down which is how I know they were doing about 10mph. I am not trying to pick a fight with you but I just dont see what is wrong with passing someone given the situation described.
In my original post I mentioned that I did call it out and that they did move over, but as I passed they got mad. I also said that the bridge was no more constricting than the path we were riding; it was the same width. On top of all that they were going way slower than the speed limit and I was going the speed limit, to pass them I slowed down which is how I know they were doing about 10mph. I am not trying to pick a fight with you but I just dont see what is wrong with passing someone given the situation described.
05-26-12 | 11:14 PM
#28
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From: Denver, CO
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Yeah, while I was cycling home from the grocery store pulling the trailer on the downhill side of the road bridge going the speed limit, the same two people passed me in their car with the bikes on the car rack, yelling I was holding up traffic and I should get the **** off the road.
05-27-12 | 11:32 AM
#29
Just like we have rules and laws for auto drivers, we should have rules and laws for cyclists!
It may vary from state to state, just like some driving rules do, but we should have those laws for cycling. That way, we wouldn't have doubts and questions like this here on Bike Forums.
As cycling becomes more prevalent and gains in popularity, there will become an ever increasing need for more precise and judicious cycling laws, upon which we shall be held accountable.
In the future, there will be no doubt and no question. There will just be a code to follow, written about cycling on bridges within our state.
It may vary from state to state, just like some driving rules do, but we should have those laws for cycling. That way, we wouldn't have doubts and questions like this here on Bike Forums.
As cycling becomes more prevalent and gains in popularity, there will become an ever increasing need for more precise and judicious cycling laws, upon which we shall be held accountable.
In the future, there will be no doubt and no question. There will just be a code to follow, written about cycling on bridges within our state.
also.......
For those struggling with the fact that passing (overtaking) on a bridge is against the rules of the road for bicycles ,as well as motor vehicles, should look it up in their states motor vehicle code (which includes bicycles) or google it to see that overtaking on a bridge is unsafe and illegal !
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My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
05-27-12 | 11:33 AM
#30
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
05-27-12 | 11:41 AM
#31
Hogosha Sekai
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Since you're avoiding answering me Mr Nightshade, I'd like to point out in my state it's perfectly legal to pass on a bridge. So now would you like to answer me? FYI I'm not trying to draw you into an argument, I am quite honestly flabbergasted at your take on the situation and would like to know why YOU think that way, not what your states driver manual says.
05-27-12 | 12:02 PM
#32
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Don't think you were in the wrong, but especially if it's a short bridge or you don't have perfect view that no one is going to come the other way, I agree with this and probably wouldn't do it myself because there are no escape routes if someone gets squirrely (after having gotten pinch flats having to jump off trails while passing unpredictable noobs - after warning them - I tend to be a bit cautious about passing when I have escape routes).
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?),
05-27-12 | 12:58 PM
#33
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
I think a lot of people don't realize they have a negative emotional reaction to being passed. I don't see a problem with passing other cyclists on a bridge.
Whoever said 3 foot rule should apply must ride on a different class of bike path than we have around here. I think that would pretty much remove any possibility of passing except on a very few paths.
Whoever said 3 foot rule should apply must ride on a different class of bike path than we have around here. I think that would pretty much remove any possibility of passing except on a very few paths.
05-27-12 | 01:18 PM
#34
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05-27-12 | 01:24 PM
#35
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Sadly, they're probably the "weekend warrior" trail riding variety who don't understand why we "insist" on riding in their roads.
05-27-12 | 02:08 PM
#36
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Sounds like you passed a couple of cranks. You used proper etiquette by announcing your pass, and I trust you didn't crowd them, so whats the beef? I know of no 'no pass on bridge rule'.
Yes, there are rules we must follow, and good etiquette is mandatory where safety is concerned. Equally important are common sense and good judgement. If you hadn't announced the pass, then you'd be fair game for complaints.
Yes, there are rules we must follow, and good etiquette is mandatory where safety is concerned. Equally important are common sense and good judgement. If you hadn't announced the pass, then you'd be fair game for complaints.
Last edited by SwampDude; 05-27-12 at 02:26 PM.
05-27-12 | 03:29 PM
#38
For those struggling with the fact that passing (overtaking) on a bridge is against the rules of the road for bicycles ,as well as motor vehicles, should look it up in their states motor vehicle code (which includes bicycles) or google it to see that overtaking on a bridge is unsafe and illegal !
Some bridges may have 'no passing zones' on them, but that is a different story.
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05-27-12 | 08:47 PM
#41
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From: Montreal, Quebec
So today on my ride I was doing the MUP speed limit of 15 mph. I came behind two people riding at about 10mph. The couple were riding in a way that one was slightly in front of the other but also side by side enough to talk. They entered the bridge before I could pass them, so I once I entered the bridge I called out that I was passing on the left. As I was passing I got an earful from both of them. Keep in mind that the bridge was the same width as the trail we were riding so there would have been the same amount of room to pass. Am I missing something, was I in the wrong?
It might be illigal to pass on a bridge on the MUP - I've bever checked. I do know for a fact that here in Montreal its illegal to ride in any manner except single file. But most cyclist respect that about as much as they do stop signs anyway.
05-28-12 | 06:56 AM
#42
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From: Kamloops, BC, Canada
Unless there is a sign prohibiting overtaking, it's not illegal to overtake on a bridge.
05-28-12 | 10:20 AM
#43
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From: Hollister, CA
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You've got to "read the room" when passing on a MUP which it appears the OP did. We pass a lot of cyclists on our tandem as well as families with baby carriages, dog walkers, families with small kids on bicycles, sketchy adult riders. runners. Our passing speed is appropriate to the passee, but we would definitely pass on a MUP bridge, although the only MUP we ride on has bridges too narrow to pass side-by-side cyclists.
What I really dislike is cyclists riding side-by-side coming toward us, the one cyclists right on the yellow line. These are generally folks conversing and not paying a whole lot of attention. I'm not concerned about hitting them, but I'm sure concerned about the near cyclists loosing concentration and plowing into us.
05-28-12 | 11:13 AM
#44
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From: Alpharetta, GA
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My bridges are not everyone else's, but please do not pass on this bridge for instance. You won't see who's coming (might be me), and overtaking 10mph at 15 mph, you're liable to take half the length to get by, and this is the longest bridge on my loop with the clearest site path. Just slow down until it's clear, please.
05-28-12 | 11:35 AM
#45
Since you're avoiding answering me Mr Nightshade, I'd like to point out in my state it's perfectly legal to pass on a bridge. So now would you like to answer me? FYI I'm not trying to draw you into an argument, I am quite honestly flabbergasted at your take on the situation and would like to know why YOU think that way, not what your states driver manual says.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
05-28-12 | 11:27 PM
#47
Hogosha Sekai
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
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From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
Edited for the sake of both politeness and my sanity.
Last edited by RaleighSport; 05-28-12 at 11:33 PM.
05-29-12 | 02:15 AM
#48
05-29-12 | 02:19 AM
#49
05-29-12 | 08:29 AM
#50
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Anyway, in Virginia (DC's laws are basically identical), this is the law regarding passing, and to my knowledge there is no specific law governing MUPs...note that there is no law that dictates a cyclist must announce when passing, leave 3 feet, or refrain from passing on a bridge. I suspect that every other jurisdiction in the country is the same in this regard.
https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/programs/bk-laws.asp
Passing Bicyclists may overtake and pass another vehicle only when safe to do so. Bicyclists may pass another vehicle on the right or left, and they may stay in the same lane, change lanes, or ride off the road if necessary for safe passing. Please note that passing motor vehicles on the right side may be extremely dangerous if the motorist does not see the bicyclist and attempts a right turn.
A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall not travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, except where one lane is a separate turn lane or a mandatory turn lane.
Motorists must approach and pass a bicyclist at a reasonable speed at least two feet to the left of the bicyclist.
Reference: §§46.2-839,46.2-907
Last edited by MattFoley; 05-29-12 at 08:38 AM.