100 points to the first one who tells me what law is being broken here. Also since I get a lot of bad feedback about me pointing out violators, let me remind you that I was nearly killed by a car on my bike so I am going to call you on your driving/biking skills which includes knowing and obeying traffic law.
DBV 10/21/08 from Paul Emerson on Vimeo.
on Oct 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Wait, what’s wrong with a bicyclist in a bicycle lane? (Your social world of spinning wheels moves too fast for me to keep up with your rapidly changing definitions of proper etiquette.)
on Oct 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Riding to close to the left line maybe?
on Oct 21st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Bingo! From ARS 28-815 Section A: “A person riding a bicycle on a roadway … shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway”
What is worse, and often seen, is some roadies insist on riding on the right hand side of the car lane WHEN THERE IS A BIKE LANE 6″ TO THEIR RIGHT.
Question 2: How do you pass this guy?
on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
This guy’s position is completely kosher and is also safer than the “in the gutter” position you are advocating. From the League of American Bicyclists (http://www.bikeleague.org/resources/better/roadrules.php) under the topic of “how far right?”:
“# Directions to ride “as far to the right as practicable” appears in most laws
# No clear definition of practicable has been identified”
Or how about:
“# Give yourself ample room to your right to maneuver in an emergency ”
Or perhaps:
“#Motorists are looking for other vehicles in or near the travel lanes, not against curbs”
And:
“#Ride just to the right of the travel lane to remain visible to other motorists ”
“#Avoid riding where glass and other trash accumulates on the right side of roadways”
RE: passing him:
Bell? “On your left”?
on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Good points. But a good reason follow all traffic laws is in case of an accident, you are not liable, which makes it easier to collect your damages. Laws always trump recommendations.
I remain unconvinced that riding closer to the traffic has any benefit. Conversely it has the detriment of aggravating motorists. And since we are kittens in the lions den, I prefer to anger the lions.
on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I prefer, and I think the LAB advocates, riding in a manner that keeps you from getting creamed in the first place, as opposed to riding in a manner that allows you to collect damages when you get hit.
Why would riding in the bike lane aggravate motorists? Cyclists have equal rights to the road . This guy is right of the white line by at least 2 ft. Motorist should be left of the bike lane, so why does it matter that he is riding in a visible location that avoids road detritus?
on Oct 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Well the motorist aggravation comes when a bike is in the street outside the bike lane as this same guy did this morning and I often see happen. My path is no less dangerous than his. The right side is usually as clear as the road so far as garbage, except minor pebbles etc, but I have the tires for it.
Full disclosure: I am so nitpicky that I get bothered by people in the middle of the bike lane. Maybe I need counseling.
PS good dialogue and it is always valuable to get everyone’s opinion on these kind of issues.