Quote:
Originally Posted by Bosoxfan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bosoxfan
No its not below me to ride on the ( " cart" ) multimodal path if I were on a casual ride but not if I want to move at a cardiovascular workout pace. There are more problems on the paths then you'd realize. Cyclists have the right to be on the roads I just wish ALL motorists would accept this and respect the safety of everyone on the road.
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This isn't the first thread along these lines, so at risk of incurring the ire of cyclists, let's bring some clarity to this thread:
First of all, bicycles are vehicles and have the right to use the roads, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW. I'm all in favor of safety, cyclists are much more at risk for injury than a car. However, in the spirit of sharing the road, there are RESPONSIBILITIES that go along with cyclists RIGHTS.
The link provided is to a cyclist association page, the "information" is NOT THE LAW, it is the author's OPINION and INTERPETATION of the law. So lets look at the actual Florida law:
316.2065 Bicycle regulations.—
(5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the
right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or
substandard-width lane, which makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge or within a bicycle lane. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is
too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
The law is vague, it does not give a specific lane width or separation of motor vehicle and cycle. This is likely because the distance is relative to speed. The author in the link has interpreted subsection 3 to mean bicycles can ride in the middle of the road at any speed any time they want and "own the lane". This is NOT what the law states. The bicycle association itself advocates a minimum distance of 3 feet. The lanes on BV and Morse, at least south of 466A are 12-14 feet. My full size SUV is 6 feet wide, so hugging the center line, it allows 6-8 feet for the cyclist. Therefore, UNDER THE LAW, the cyclist has NO RIGHT to ride in the middle of the road at less than the speed of traffic, except as noted in subsection 1&2. It does not matter what the bicycle association has to say, only what THE LAW states. If you are riding in the middle at 35 mph, go for it. There is no reason for anyone to pass you. But if you are riding at 15 mph, you are IN VIOLATION of the law and can be cited.
Also:
(6) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane.
How many times do we come up on 3-4-5 cycles abreast in the middle of the lane so they can chit-chat?? They are also VIOLATING THE LAW. I also agree with Rubi---there are some (not all) cyclists who are loathe to stop at stop signs or lights because of the inconvenience of toe clips. Here's news--it is also "inconvenient" to stop a car as well, but it is THE LAW.
All that being said, motorists need to realize they are much safer than cyclists and act accordingly. But that does not excuse cyclists from taking over a lane when the LAW clearly forbids it.
Now I'll retreat to the bomb shelter.