Here's the street view of the Smith River bridge, near the northern border of California:



Here's my wife crossing it yesterday:



We hit this bridge on a few rides a year, and there's no way around it.

The cars are traveling about 60 MPH, and there are a good number of large trucks. The "Bicyclist of Bridge" flashers work. You cannot see far enough back to wait until no one is coming, although yesterday I managed to make it all the way across with no cars.

Would you completely take the lane here, or stay closer to the right?

Middle of the lane with a bright rear blinky!

In the bottom pic, the car has its left tires on the yellow line and it looks like there's plenty of clearance on the right for the cyclist. I'd likely ride the white line in situations like this.

I would take the lane, and move over to ease a car/trucks passing after they have slowed and when it is clear for them to pass.

This +1,000,000

Gotta agree with this... And the blinkies and the bridge signal. Even better would be to find a cooperative motorist that would follow with their flashers on.

But bottom line, take the lane... riding the line means you invite too fast passers who only at the last second realize they are too fast or too close... and then it is too late.

I concur, take the lane, watch for oncoming traffic and keep an eye on the mirror. If someone is behind you and you can see that there is more than enough space for them to pass then wave them around and pull over to the right tire track, else hold the lane to discourage them from passing unsafely. No matter what you do it is risky and you are putting yourself in peril, but if there is no other way around this bridge then cross it the safest way you can.

And I appreciate you wearing the hi-viz stuff too, we are practically invisible to motorists anyway and anything we can wear to catch their eye is highly advisable. I see too many bikers in dark clothing that just blends into the background or horizon.

The safest alternative would be to walk along that narrow sidewalk either carrying the bike or having it on the road. It's a long bridge, though.

Personally, I wouldn't take the lane, but would ride about a foot/18-inches to the left of the fog line. And, make sure my big, bad, bright strobe taillight is working correctly. The chartreuse jacket/vest is good also.

I'd ride 1-2 feet from the white line and be very watchful for 60mph cars coming up behind me.

I have got to disagree with this. That curb is not a sidewalk and not meant to be walked on. The 'railing' is far to low to do so safely even if the curb was wide enough to safely walk. A strong gust from a passing truck (at speed) could easily blow someone over the side of the bridge if they were walking where you suggest.

I would ride at least 6 feet away from the guard rail, so that I would have enough room to move to the right and escape a close pass if necessary. Always leave an escape route for yourself. A good mirror is also essential in places like this, plus bright flashing lights. And the high-vis clothing helps too, I think.

Problem with this is it makes you about twice as wide. I would take the lane, and go fast. I once rode a section of PCH through Laguna Beach where you were damned if you do, damned if you don't. I did that ONCE. Now I find an alternate route.

From where bike lane ends to where is starts again is about a quarter mile. (Measured on Google Earth). I can sprint that far at about 20+ mph, and would sure do it here.

"Bicyclist on bridge when flashing"?

How does that work?

This.

That's not that safe. (And legally, you'd have to walk against traffic).

I suspect there is a button for bikes to push that is not in view.

I too am curious. This link indicates it is some kind of automatic sensor, but doesn't describe how it works.

"They come with an automatic sensor, which means the lights would flash without someone on a bike having to stop and push a button."


Maybe speed sensor if it detects relatively slow motion (it is a 60mph road)? The only other possibility I can think of is some kind of optical recognition system, but I would think that would be very expensive and not terribly reliable.

Interesting that the bride neither supports pedestrians nor cyclists, or horses or slow traffic... very indicative of the motorist centric mentality of California. I seem to recall just north of there, in Oregon some really nice wide shoulders on the highway designated as BL... these disappear as soon as you cross over into CA.

There is a button. I've seen the same for bridges in Oregon, as well as some tunnels...

BTW you can see the button in this street view. https://goo.gl/maps/RRlJT

And indeed the shoulder is wide here before and after the bridge.

You can see the tire tracks left by traffic in the lanes; ride just to the right of the "oil line", and pick up your pace. YES, use blinkies.

Hug the line? NO. Walk the bike on a narrow sidewalk? HELL NO.

This is just one spot where drivers have to 'suck it up', as evidenced by the large sign alerting them to bikes.

This bridge supports everyone but pedestrians. After all as the OP said, he has ridden across it in the past. As to the level of support, I would wonder how old it is, and how rural before making any judgements.

it isn't a sidewalk, its a curb. Was never meant for pedestrians.

Button isn't visible in the OP photo, and the link I posted above indicates Oregon is working on automatic sensors for such situations. Just doesn't explain how they work.

Well the OP signs are certainly push button operated. This from ODOT indicates they are just now planning on installing the first bike on bridge system using some kind of automated (but not described) sensor system.

https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/REGIO...ridgeSigns.pdf