Quote:
Originally Posted by Chazz
The law, Florida 316.2065(5), does not require bicyclists to ride to the furthest right possible. It requires the furthest right practicable (safe). There are exceptions to this and the one that applies most frequently in TV involves undersized lanes (i.e. under 14' wide, per FDOT engineering guidelines). In this case, the lane is too narrow for some motor vehicles to share the lane with a bicyclist and still allow the required 3 foot clearance. Therefore, the bicyclist is permitted to take the lane, as it is safer to do so. Most of the lanes in TV are undersized. Unfortunately, most drivers and bicyclists are not aware of this. The result is that most bicyclists, fearing the ire of angry drivers, ride too far to the right, inviting motor vehicles to unsafely pass them. The few bicyclists who correctly take the lane, invite the angry response of motor vehiclists who, wrongly, interpret bicyclists riding position as "do they think they own the road", instead of that they are riding safely.
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I agree with you. Outside of The Villages in many places all you have is the road. And the far right side of the road has all the grates, nails, broken glass and litter. So it's best to take over the lane. But inside of The Villages, for me it is safer on the paths. If you catch me, I'll pull over and let you pass me. It's my guess that Village people are not used to driving with bikes and it's a little late to educate most of them.