(a) overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;(b) preparing to make a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
(c) traveling straight through an intersection that has a right-turn only lane that is in conflict with the straight through movement; or
(d) reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand edge of the roadway including:fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians,animals, surface hazards or a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane (Utah Code41-6a-1105)
To my mind that allows you to take the lane in any circumstance that makes you feel unsafe. Debris from the rain storm? Recycling bin in your way? Parked car that might door you? Take the lane! But how?There is no law that specifically addresses the safest way to take the lane, but a few experienced cyclists have some advice for you. The blog antranik.org has this very handy guide to riding safely in the street. The author offers some advice for taking the lane. If you need to take the lane, the best and safest place to be is on the LEFT side of the RIGHT lane.The author writes,
“Riding on the LEFT side of the RIGHT lane makes a bold statement that this lane is not shareable and ensures your visibility. Drivers get the hint from a distance that they need to change their lane because they can’t squeeze past you. You have to be confident that you are doing the right thing and the law is on your side".
What are your thoughts? How often do you take the lane? How do you take the lane? How can new or inexperienced riders feel safe and confident in taking the lane?
I take the lane every time I ride. I usually just signal in, especially if there is a police car behind me. I definitely dominate the lane for any reason I can. parked cars, even if I just don't want a large truck passing me on main street. And for sure when I'm approaching an intersection I pass the waiting cars on their left.
ReplyDeleteI was just talking about this with my sister who works up at Aggie Blue Bikes. She got pulled over in Logan the other day for taking the lane to avoid a right turn only lane. The cop was being dumb and kept just saying stuff like "You really need to read up on your rights and blah blah blah" and she kept saying stuff like "I know my rights and it's the law that I can take the lane as I did. Perhaps YOU should go read up on my rights as a cyclist." Then recently one of her co-workers got pulled over because he took the lane to avoid construction and as he did a huge truck and trailer decided to pass him pretty recklessly and moments later the cyclist got pulled over by a cop. Frustrated, he argued the law with the cop for a while, telling him he definitely should have pulled over the truck, not the cyclist.
ReplyDeleteI personally rarely have problems when I take the lane, which I do often and confidently. I do it well, though, meaning I check the lane and make sure it's a decent time to move out, so cars rarely react aggressively. Hearing those experiences up in Logan is a bit frustrating though. The number one thing my sister hears working up there is "I don't ride much because I never feel safe on the roads." It would be helpful if the cops were as up-to-date with the cycling laws as the cyclists are.
Nicely-put, Juli!
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with most of what is quoted here. I'm fairly used to taking the lane (i.e. riding out of an established bike lane) if and when I need to.
I'd also like to acknowledge the importance and courtesy of sharing a truly shared-use lane (sharrow). My stance is this: don't just take the entire lane because you can. If you can ride towards the right safely, do it and allow cars to pass within the 3' realm safely on your left.
While riding on 17th S the other day, a man in a 1950s-era convertible pulled up alongside me, while riding, and said with a smile, "Are we sharing the road?" to which I replied, grinning, "Why yes! Yes, we are." It was light-hearted and made me smile the whole way home. Think of it! We're actually Sharing The Road!
That said, it's also paramount that cyclists take the lane (as explained above) confidently AND predictably. This kind of cyclist behavior will allow vehicle traffic to acknowledge your presence and lawful right to use the road just like a car or motorcycle.
With taking the lane there is the concomitant responsibility to line up with the other cars in the lane when you come to a stop. In other words, you shouldn't ride up to the front of the line on the right-hand side. Instead, you should stop behind the last car in the line. I know it's an unpopular position, but it really is the safest. First, you avoid cars that suddenly pull out to the right. Second, you stay out of the right-turn-only lane where you are vulnerable to all kinds of wacky driving maneuvers. Third, the cars parked around you form a protective cocoon around you. Fourth, you don't have to have all those cars pass you going to the next intersection: they're already in front of you.
ReplyDeleteBut, man, cyclists sure don't want to give that one up.
Absolutely!
ReplyDelete