Bike lanes cause impure thoughts

I dont think you fully understand what I mean. That was just an example. When coming over one hill when suddenly there is a cyclist in front of you, and you are about to crest the next hill, there is nothing you can safely do but pass. And Im not going to cross the center line. But thats just an example. In any situation, the cyclist is unfortunately the one I would rather hit, than hitting something much larger, like another car. Just like I would rather hit a Miata than hit a Sierra.

See what Im saying?

They have the right to be there, just like motorcycles, Miatas, P71s and Hummers. There is just an order to who I would choose to run into...

Joey

joey48442 wrote: I dont think you fully understand what I mean. That was just an example. When coming over one hill when suddenly there is a cyclist in front of you, and you are about to crest the next hill, there is nothing you can safely do but pass. And Im not going to cross the center line. But thats just an example. In any situation, the cyclist is unfortunately the one I would rather hit, than hitting something much larger, like another car. Just like I would rather hit a Miata than hit a Sierra. See what Im saying? They have the right to be there, just like motorcycles, Miatas, P71s and Hummers. There is just an order to who I would choose to run into... Joey

Hmm... I guess you're right. I don't fully understand why slowing down and waiting until it is safe to pass is not an option. I am not seeking out a pissing match here, I am just trying to point out that the rules of the road regarding passing other vehicles apply to passing cyclists also. Just because it's a bike and you can squeeze by him without crossing the double yellow doesn't make it legal. You should pass where passing is allowed, and you should move over into the other lane when doing so.

From the NC Motor Vehicle Code:

20-150. Limitations on privilege of overtaking and passing.
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center of a highway, in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be made in safety.
(b) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction upon the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver's view along the highway is obstructed within a distance of 500 feet.

Now, this doesn't mean that you still pass but you don't cross the center line, it means you don't pass there, period.

From the Guide to NC Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws:

Passing a Bicycle A motorist overtaking a bicycle must pass at least two (2) feet to the left of the bicyclist and must not move back to the right side of the highway until safely past the overtaken bicycle. [§20-149(a)] A motorist may not drive left of the center ofthe highway to pass a vehicle, including a bicycle, in these circumstances:
• Unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead that the motorist can pass the bicyclist safely. [§20-150(a)]
• On the crest of a hill or at a curve in the road where the driver cannot see at least 500 feet ahead. [§20-150(b)] • At any railroad grade crossing or intersection, unless directed to do so by a traffic control officer. [§20-150(c)] • Where the Department of Transportation has placed signs or markers indicating that passing should not be attempted. [§20-150(d)] and [(e)]

I am sure the laws are similar in your area.

Im not looking for a pissing match, either. I dont even want an argument, but when I come over a hill at 55 mph, and there is a cyclist literally feet in front of me doing, maybe 8 mph, there is not enough time to slow down and not pass before cresting the next hill. I will hug the center line, but Im not going to cross it and put my life, as well as whoever might be coming at me in jeopardy. Thats all I mean.

Maybe a minimum speed law would be in order on these 45-50- or even 55 mph roads? Doesnt matter what your driving, bicycle or car, if you cant maintain 80% of the speed limit, you should not be there? I dont know.

Non-argumentatively, Joey

I understand that there will be situations where you can't help but do something that you would not normally do, depending on the circumstances at hand. And I do hope that the situation that you described does not happen often, but I can see how it could happen.

All I ask, and I am not directing this specifically at you but at drivers at large, is to take a moment to consider the safety of the cyclist when you encounter one on the road. We are not there to be bullied or for target practice. Please share the road.

I stay off the heavily traveled roads, but I don't mind riding on side streets on my bike. I stick to the rightmost foot of the road, so that people can pass me with their left tire at the centerline.

In the summer I commute to work on what is as close to a country road as there is around me. Its also heavily populated by bikers and deer. Only time I ever had a problem with a cyclist was when a deer came running out from my left, with a cyclist on my right. I almost spun out, but got out of it okay. I looked in my rearview, and the deer and cyclist were tangled together. I got out, because I assumed I hit the rider; turns out I had avoided both, the deer ran into the bike

There really does need to be an attitude shift. Folks in cars who are rude to bicyclist (particularly those who are following the rules of the road) are very lucky that they're able to leave the scene soon enough not to be the recipient of road-rage against bicyclists. (not condoning road rage...but you can bet cycle-commuters probably have a lot more provocation than car drivers).

I guess I feel like with the rising energy prices...folks are going to have to get smart and deal courteously with the ever-increasing number of cyclists (and scooters and Motorcycles) on the road.

Clem

There has been a big increase in people biking in NYC, to the point where I regularly see bike on bike accidents, as people continue to be absorbed in their phone conversations and texting and oblivious to the world around them. Last week there was a good head on collision between a Dominos delivery guy reading directions and a lady on a handheld phone. The way they're going it's only a matter of time before the govt makes us insure our bicycles

If I wait for an approriate passing area on a road them make my way around the bicyclist why does he pass me when I am sitting at the light? Belive me I wont try to hit him but I wont take as much room to pass him again.
And why is it that the bicyclists think it is O.K. to lean against my truck when we are both waiting for the light to change? (I popped the clutch and watched him splatter on the pavement, He was holding onto the tail gate ) That is why the get so little respect.
If they are in a "bike lane" why cant we pass them any time? They should stay in the "bike lane" and I should stay in my "car lane"

porksboy wrote: If I wait for an approriate passing area on a road them make my way around the bicyclist why does he pass me when I am sitting at the light? Belive me I wont try to hit him but I wont take as much room to pass him again. And why is it that the bicyclists think it is O.K. to lean against my truck when we are both waiting for the light to change? (I popped the clutch and watched him splatter on the pavement, He was holding onto the tail gate ) That is why the get so little respect. If they are in a "bike lane" why cant we pass them any time? They should stay in the "bike lane" and I should stay in my "car lane"

It's not OK for cyclists to make their way to the front of the line at lights, it just forces everyone who just passed them to pass them again and it is inconsiderate to the drivers who made an effort to pass them safely.

However, they are legally allowed to the vehicle lane whether there is a bike lane available or not. Segregation is not necessary for us all to get along, and citizens are not going to pay for bike lanes on every road with their tax dollars. Please share the road.

Yeah, the ambivalence of your average Joe sixpack toward bicyclists is really puzzling.

In the instances where it turns to aggression, it's one of the biggest examples of someone (driver) being a complete Bob Costas . Injure and run. Good job, toughie.

If there's a dedicated left turn lane and the road I'm turning onto has a bike lane, I'll go to the front next to the car in the turning lane. Where the cars arc to the left, I go straight, and then turn into the bike lane.

Three main reasons: Keeping the chain on the middle rear cog means I accelerate slowly but don't have to shift mid-turn. People around here tend to give bikes wayyyy too much room; like ten feet in between my rear tire and their front bumper. Most importantly, though, I don't like the thought of being a car sandwich, so I try to keep a lane position that allows an emergency exit.

Share the road applies to bikes too, not just cars. There is no reason to ever ride in anything other than a single file line as close to the shoulder as possible. Legally (and logically) you should yield to faster traffic. I have no problem with bikes on the road, just the bikers who think its ok to ride in the middle of the lane when they have plenty of room on the shoulder.

Only problem with that is all the crap car drivers toss out of their car ends up on the shoulder, along with all the broken edges of the asphault and the rest of the stuff that just bends rims. Unless you live somewhere with a very good street sweeping system, the shoulder is dangerous.

Imagine running over a muffler on a road bike once. It's not like there is a lot of suspension there.

gamby wrote: Yeah, the ambivalence of your average Joe sixpack toward bicyclists is really puzzling.

I live in a college town, and cyclists here continually pull crap that would get them a beat down if they did it in a car. I've been cut off dozens of times by cyclists diving from the right hand bike lane across traffic to go the wrong way in the oncoming bike lane. I've seen hundreds of them run red lights - often without even as much pause as you'd give an empty stop sign. And they signal less than cops do.

There's also a main artery headed north out of town that is a typical PA semi-rural 2 lane blacktop: no shoulder, lots of blind turns, lots of hummocks and hills, solid yellow line everywhere. It's right near an unending network of smaller, infinitely-less-travelled back roads (not to mention a huge state park full of bike trails). Guess where many of the recreational cyclists ride? Yup. Up the busy road and back, blocking cars, SUVs, and even dump trucks, and nursing their resentment of all us evil environment-destroyers.

I know it sounds like I've got a chip on my shoulder, but in all truthfulness I've got nothing against cyclists as an idea. I'm happy to share the road when I see it works both ways and I'm treated with respect by a cyclist. But when I see a complete arrogant lack of common sense, it really chaps my ass.