When commuting I ride like a car, I use bike lanes and I signal most of my turns. I do not block cars on purpose. I try to be courteous unless my rights are violated.
Most drivers are not aware of what the California Vehicle Code actually says about cyclists and their rights. I have covered these issues before on this blog.
The Fresno Bee published an article yesterday regarding the upcoming Climb To Kaiser.
This article covers some of the issues related to having hundreds of cyclists on the road, on the same day, in a mountain region that is known for being less than cyclist friendly.
In a typical Automobile biased media, the Fresno Bee author states that:
“This year, organizers hired two CHP officers to patrol the course and help ensure cyclists and motorists obey traffic laws. For cyclists, that means riding single file on the right side of the road. For motorists, it means giving cyclists enough room to maneuver.“
That statement is incorrect for two reasons:
Firstly, cyclists are required to ride as far to the right side of the road as practicable. That means that cyclists must ride to the right but are allowed to move to the left to avoid hazards, pass slower cyclists or make left turns. The portion regarding riding single file is incorrect. “Single File” is not required. Nowhere in the California vehicle code does it state that riders must ride single file. Other states have specific sections in their vehicle laws that use the words “single file”. Single file is required when two riders riding two abreast will impede traffic.
In my opinion, single file is appropriate when the road is narrow and the traffic is heavy.
The problem with the way law enforcement has interpreted the law is, they will write you a ticket if they see you riding next to each other at any time. Sometimes there are reasons to be riding two abreast. Passing, preparing for a left turn, or avoiding hazards.
Secondly, the article writer states that:
“For motorists, it means giving cyclists enough room to maneuver.”
This statement is incomplete and does not emphasize the fact that cyclists have a right to be in the road. It smacks of sarcasm in my opinion and further advances the negative sentiment that drivers have for cyclists in the road.
Educate cyclists and drivers to know the law. If you get ticketed or pulled over by the police educate them too. Know your rights.
Rant over.
I will be taking all of my vehicle code paperwork with me just in case.
Zak
2 users commented in " CHP Assigned To Patrol The Climb To Kaiser "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackAs always thanks for keeping us in the loop. Zak our local bike advocacy specialist.
I’m sorry, but after that business down in L.A., I’m convinced that we should take down the license plate numbers of any motorists threatening cyclists, track them down at home and burn their houses down. The cops don’t care and the public already sees us as the enemy. It can’t really get any wore and if people start being afraid of getting their homes barbecued after menacing bicyclists, they might think twice. And it would be a leaderless movement, so nobody could really be definitively tracked down or held liable for whatever happens.
At the very least, I say we burn their cars and leave an old junk bicycle in their lawn as a replacement.