Submitted by patrick (not verified) on July 5, 2007 - 9:17pm.
The caller (Lucien?) talked about the low-cost of adding bike lanes compared to adding transit (although he misspoke when saying we only need 2 feet). Melody said, “I’d like to say ‘God Bless’ to the bicycle riders, but please stay in that two feet because I’ve seen in the commute and in the gridlock actually, bicyclers in the lane of traffic and going along at a good clip slowing down at the red light, going through the intersection, and this has caused a lot of friction between the drivers and the bicyclists. I understand what the caller is saying but there’s a lot of controversy about that method.”
As a frequent bicycle commuter, I’d like to make two points.
First, while bicyclists are supposed to ride as near to the right of the roadway as “practicable and safe,” we are allowed to operate in the middle of the lane if we determine that is safest. Frequently the pavement condition, debris in the road, the presence of parked cars, and other factors make it unsafe to ride in the “two feet” that Ms. Simmons felt we should be allowed to use. I’ve listed the text of the law below for further reference. While there may be some “controversy” about bicyclists taking a lane of the road, it is usually legal and sometimes the safest option. Until there are better provisions for bicyclists on most roadways, they should be encouraged to take the lane when they deem it appropriate.
Second, Ms. Simmons referenced bicyclists who slow down or come to a stop at a light, but then proceed through when the determine that it is safe. While I can see that this might frustrate some auto drivers, since they can’t get away with this, it is perfectly safe the way that she described it. Bicyclists crossing against the light recognize that we’re always more vulnerable than auto users and we tend to behave accordingly, making sure it’s clear before we cross. There will always be some idiots who ride through without looking, but I think it’s appropriate for bicyclists to cautiously proceed through red lights and stop signs after a rolling stop. In fact, the state of Idaho saw fit to change the law to reflect this and I would hope other states will follow suit.
§ 21-1205. Riding on roadways or on highway.
(a) Riding to right side of roadway.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter at a speed less than the speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing on a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and safe, except when:
(1) Making or attempting to make a left turn;
(2) Operating on a one-way street;
(3) Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle;
(4) Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards;
(5) The right lane is a right turn only lane; or
(6) Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter
and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(b) Riding two abreast.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway may ride two abreast only if the flow of traffic is unimpeded.
(c) Passing.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway shall exercise due care when passing a vehicle.
(d) Walking bicycles on right side of highway.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway may walk the bicycle or motor scooter on the right side of a highway if there is no sidewalk.
The caller (Lucien?) talked
The caller (Lucien?) talked about the low-cost of adding bike lanes compared to adding transit (although he misspoke when saying we only need 2 feet). Melody said, “I’d like to say ‘God Bless’ to the bicycle riders, but please stay in that two feet because I’ve seen in the commute and in the gridlock actually, bicyclers in the lane of traffic and going along at a good clip slowing down at the red light, going through the intersection, and this has caused a lot of friction between the drivers and the bicyclists. I understand what the caller is saying but there’s a lot of controversy about that method.”
As a frequent bicycle commuter, I’d like to make two points.
First, while bicyclists are supposed to ride as near to the right of the roadway as “practicable and safe,” we are allowed to operate in the middle of the lane if we determine that is safest. Frequently the pavement condition, debris in the road, the presence of parked cars, and other factors make it unsafe to ride in the “two feet” that Ms. Simmons felt we should be allowed to use. I’ve listed the text of the law below for further reference. While there may be some “controversy” about bicyclists taking a lane of the road, it is usually legal and sometimes the safest option. Until there are better provisions for bicyclists on most roadways, they should be encouraged to take the lane when they deem it appropriate.
Second, Ms. Simmons referenced bicyclists who slow down or come to a stop at a light, but then proceed through when the determine that it is safe. While I can see that this might frustrate some auto drivers, since they can’t get away with this, it is perfectly safe the way that she described it. Bicyclists crossing against the light recognize that we’re always more vulnerable than auto users and we tend to behave accordingly, making sure it’s clear before we cross. There will always be some idiots who ride through without looking, but I think it’s appropriate for bicyclists to cautiously proceed through red lights and stop signs after a rolling stop. In fact, the state of Idaho saw fit to change the law to reflect this and I would hope other states will follow suit.
§ 21-1205. Riding on roadways or on highway.
(a) Riding to right side of roadway.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter at a speed less than the speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing on a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and safe, except when:
(1) Making or attempting to make a left turn;
(2) Operating on a one-way street;
(3) Passing a stopped or slower moving vehicle;
(4) Avoiding pedestrians or road hazards;
(5) The right lane is a right turn only lane; or
(6) Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter
and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(b) Riding two abreast.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway may ride two abreast only if the flow of traffic is unimpeded.
(c) Passing.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway shall exercise due care when passing a vehicle.
(d) Walking bicycles on right side of highway.- Each person operating a bicycle or a motor scooter on a roadway may walk the bicycle or motor scooter on the right side of a highway if there is no sidewalk.