I thought the Bronco was owned by Al. Then again...maybe he was just doing the driving...

That cyclists claim they can live harmoniously with "cages" under the same rules of the road. The driver of the explorer could not legally pas them on a double yellow.

How happy would you be if you rolled up behind a car doing 12mph in a 55 and you could not pass due to the double yellow?

Lendaddy,

The riders were riding on the shoulder allowing the Ford to pass. He could have done so. If the ford driver decided to not pass the cyclist due to his inability to judge his own car within a given legal width of the street, then how can he blame the cyclist for holding him up or forcing him to pass over the double yellow? He had as the same amount of room around the cyclist as he does anywhere else on the road. There were no need to pass on the other side of the street or double yellow. The width of the road between the lines hasn't change.

I'm not saying the guy isn't a tool. That being said, you cannot pass on a double yellow period, it does not matter if you don't cross the line. I agree that he still should have passed I am just pointing out what I believe his motivations were, I was not defending his actions.

Really, I learn something new everyday. I went to traffic school 9 million years ago, in my late teens, and asked if one can pass within a lane that is wide enough for two vehicle to go through without going over into the on coming traffic lane. the answer was yes. I assume the laws are the same in other states.

I'm sure they are. Do you think it's ok to pass a motorcycle on a double yellow if I don't cross the line? If no then why not and why does that same reservation not apply to bikes?

My point in all this is that bikers claim they follow the same rules when in reality that's silly...it's not possible.

How is it not legal if you don't cross the double yellow and pass within your own lane? A double yellow means you can NOT pass going over to the on coming traffic lane or cross the double yellow, to overtake a slowwer vehicle.

I have no idea where you came up with that. Double yellow means no passing, it does not mean just no crossing the line. You cannot pass and two vehicles cannot occupy the same lane at the same time. So it cannot be legal without *special* accommodations in the law for bikes.

Seems like the fellow was just frustrated that he could not pass and had to follow them for miles. I have to wonder why cyclists choose narrow roads where passing is not allowed and they cannot keep up with traffic. Apparently they were riding for recreation and not transportation since they obviously were not going to work in those outfits. Why couldn't they choose a safer route where they did not inconvenience people for no reason?

Colorado law specifically permits a driver to cross a double yellow line to pass a bicycle, this is part of the 3 foot law there.

Colorado cyclists and drivers try to make canyons safer

How about around your block in front of your house and do that for 40 miles for some exercise. What's next? why do people have to walk on the street unless there's a sidewalk? Not like they can walk the speed of traffic. that looked like a real safe route to me. Not too many cars around.

So, JB, what did you end up doing?

G

Called the Hilton and the oil company and ratted them out....waiting to hear back.

Find a road with bike lanes, passing allowed or at least a wide shoulder to exercise. I imagine the speed limit was 55 mph or better on that road.

I wouldn't choose that road to walk or run down for exercise either...even if there are no sidewalks. The continuous double yellow lines tell you it ius not an especially passing friendly/safe road.

According to the local paper, Longmont Times-Call:

"Dennis Hiatt, who has lived near the intersection of County Line Road and Colo. Highway 52 for 18 years, said heavy traffic mixed with cyclists and no shoulders along the road worries him.

"It needs to be four lanes," he said of the road. "It is just crazy."

He said some motorists are impatient with other motorists and with cyclists. Most, he said, seem to try to co-exist...."

and

"An unidentified motorist who was traveling County Line Road on Wednesday afternoon said cyclists who ride the county road have "a death wish.""

Motor vehicles once were required to have a flagman proceed them into towns. They also had a curfew and a speed limit.

They got a lobbyist and then made rules favoring the auto.

Bicyclist are getting stronger and will soon get laws that clarify the rights they ALREADY have.

One day soon a gaggle of spandex groupies will OD on lattes and drag some driver out and scratch out his eyes. Provided they don't ruin their manicures.

Interesting that they are actually going to get back to you? For the vids if they need them?

G

Fint, read my post about CO law. Passing was allowed on that road. He could have passed them and been on his way. Instead he was the one who held up traffic, and apparently is being charged for it.

By the way, I expect plenty of people driving on that road were doing so for recreation. To go to a movie, to the mall, visit friends, etc. Don't pretend that every car there is on their way to save crippled children.

If he could pass, he likely did not know or did not feel like he could safely do so.

Cars, even driven for recreation can normally go the speed limit and not obstruct traffic...that us why golf carts are not generally allowed on busy highways.

While I cannot excuse the fellow's behavior, I certainly understand it. We don't know how many days in the last month he has to follow cyclists for 10 miles at speeds 30 mph below normal traffic speeds.

That is why I don't ride on roads like that. It is simply dangerous and I would consider myself an ass to hold up traffic like they generally do. People that choose to do so have every right to ride on a road like that...and it is up to their conscience...but I bet if you were behind a car doing the same slow speed for miles where you felt it unsafe to pass every day (and they have the same right) you would be plenty irate.

This is what I meant by "special accommodations" for bikes. Some of that law is really good for everyone, but that's not my point. Again my point is that cyclists try to claim "Same Roads...Same Rules...Same Rights" when in fact that is illogical and actual untrue.

95% of the time..a car will not see me at this one right turn for them..it happens pretty much all the time. i bomb down rutted, rooted steep hills with low overhead branches..and the part that scares me is the road ride back to my home..i have gone on this trail for 9 months..i bet SEVEN cars have seen me at this turn and stopped for me.

i know this intersection, and will proceed with extreme caution. funny when they do see me, eyes go wide. i take my safety into my own hands..and eff it..i dont even get pissed anymore there. at the beginning i wanted to wheelie into their window. not worth the waste of anger.

I think most people do not know every special bicycle rule...especially since they differ state to state. You always hear that they are to be treated like any other vehicle and the same laws apply...yet you see them blow through red lights and stop signs routinely. It almost seems like the only time the rules really apply is when they are to the cyclist's benefit.

If you ride a bike, the impression made by other cyclists (especially the militant ones) will likely impact you.

Obviously he could safely pass. The video doesn't show any unusual amount of traffic in the other direction. Any faintly competent driver could pull to the left by a few feet for the couple seconds needed to pass a bicycle riding on the right roadway edge. If he couldn't, he shouldn't be driving.

His ignorance of the law that specifically permits crossing a double yellow to pass a cyclist is not a valid excuse to threaten others and obstruct traffic. It is a Colorado law, he lives in Colorado, he should know the motor vehicle laws in his state. Well, now he does.

The road in question is very near my house and one I ride on. It is a rural country rd (rural by standards here) and is a decent road for cycling. It's a through North South Rd with worse options all around to go N or S.

No excuse for this guy, as it's been shown that this is not his first aggressive encounter, he knew very well what he was doing was harassment and I'm glad charges have been brought.

Honking at cyclists: Erie man, 75, ticketed in incident near Longmont - Boulder Daily Camera

I'm curious if any of our pelican posters that are police officers would issue a ticket based on a biker's videos?

The double yellow lines would tell me that perhaps it might npt be safe to pass. Are they arbitrary in that part of CO or are they due to the inherent danger in passing due to visibility, speed, etc like in other places?

Seems to me that cyclists feel they can determine when it is safe to pass or not as well as the appropriate speed for any given highway. It is no wonder that some motorists get annoyed. I don't excuse bad behavior by motorists, but I am not surprised.

Just for shtz and grins I called the local PD. They won't do a thing despite a clear shot of the plate, video and audio showing a traffic violation of pure stupidity.

I guess when they see the vids after I die the lawyers can do something with it. Glad to know our taxes are doing something.

Someone explain the 3 foot rule to me. 3 feet from the rider's elbow? 3 feet of smooth roadway? 3 feet from the curb? 3 feet from parked cars? I think this and the double yellow line rule will settle the issue of passing and when it is legal.

It's already been posted, but it's legal to pass cyclists on double yellow here, ignorance to the law is no excuse.

Not sure what you mean by cyclists determining speed and when it's safe to pass?

3 foot law

Colorado's Three Foot Law - YouTube

Point was, it is only legal to do when it can be done safely. When it is "safe" is pretty subjective since it requires you to cross a double yellow line (no passing area where experts have determined it unsafe to pass in general) facing oncoming traffic (at high speeds) while not being able to pass quickly as you have slowed down to a crawl be hind the cycles. This means that you cannot pass quickly because the cyclists are still going about the same speed as you have slowed to.

Cyclists always determine the speed because they are the slowest thing on the road other than a tractor...and other cyclists just proclaimed it was safe for the motorist to pass...while he might have thought differently.

I drive in rural highways a couple hours on most days and find it very difficult to pass cyclists...after slowing down to 10 mph to wait for an opportunity...you are going far too slow to pass unless there is an extremely long stretch without traffic.

Once you are beside the lino of cycles (video taping you on their cell phones) and they are doing 10 mph and you are doing 20...the long line behind them fills the gap behind and a semi rounds the curve ahead at 70mph...what do you do? Take the semi head on...or crush the guys in Spandex?

Then I would suggest speeding up, passing with a few inches, like everyone else does.

You must be an extraordinarily poor or timid driver. At 20 mph it takes appx 2 seconds to pass a cyclist doing 10 mph. You are unable to find a pause in oncoming traffic "extremely long" enough to let you put a wheel over the centerline for just 2 seconds? In a "rural" area? Maybe you should turn in your drivers' license? Or stop making stuff up?

Spot on

We understand your situation SmileWavy



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1348159970.jpg

Rural roads are generally pretty narrow with no paved shoulder. You can't just "put a wheel over centerline to pass and give the minimum of 3 to 5 feet you need to give weaving cyclists space so you can safely pass... You need to be almost fully in the other lane to pass safely (especially if they are agressive and "take the road" as many do). As far as two seconds to pass at 20 mph... You had better redo your math (remember that you have to include acceleration as you are initially at the same speed as the bikers (10mph). Everyone does not drive a 930. Also, how often do you see a biker alone on a country road? Usually there are more than one...too far apart to pass quickly but too close to squeeze between and pass one at a time.

It is a simple scenario that happens all the time. Why does it anger you so when it is pointed out? Personal attacks are out if line. We just disagree regarding where/when it is safe to ride and where it is not.

Cyclists can't even discuss cycling without being jerks...no wonder so many ride the way they do.

Obviously if there is a double yellow line on a hilly, curvy rural road...an "extremely long" straightaway with long visibility would be much different than "extremely long" on a interstate in Nebraska.

Perhaps I am just overly concerned with not killing a cyclist...because they are the one that loses if I judge the distance and speed incorrectly.

I would guess that I am one of the better drivers where I live, and most certainly drive some of the most capable local vehicles... So if I am concerned with the scenario describe, I can only assume that others are moreso. Once again... Why I don't ride a bike on roads like that.

Your 3 feet and my 3 feet must be way different.

Relax, I think its an American mentality thing. BTW, I know a very avid cyclist who oddly happens to drive an 18 wheeler as a career. Opinions will always vary and NOBODY owns the roads. I still peave at both drivers and cyclist but what difference does it make? Lets not forgot the lack of law enforcement regarding both drivers and riders rights! Just deal with it. Lastly... ever travel in China?

It is a simple scenario that happens all the time, and when I am the driver I slide over, pass the cyclist, and am on my way. If I am unlucky and it is a few cyclists and a pod of oncoming traffic, I am delayed for a minute or so, during which time I fall back a couple of car lengths, and then there is a lull in oncoming traffic, I accelerate, pass and am on my way.

You make it sound so difficult, which is why I think you are a timid and incapable driver, driving a car that is remarkably larger yet also unable to accelerate to 20 mph in a couple of car lengths, on narrow rural roads that are always choked with oncoming traffic - or you are exaggerating to the point of untruth. Ya know, I think it might be the latter.

At the end of the day, in the video there were two cyclists, riding all the way over to the right edge, going slowly, the driver could have passed them with no more effort than passing a mailbox, and you guys are tying yourselves in knots and making up stuff and road laws that don't exist in an attempt to pretend the driver's actions weren't those of a first class tool.

Gosh, was that an aggressive thing to say? My wife rides a bicycle, my kids ride bicycles, if I saw some ding dong in an SUV driving behind them laying on the horn, yes, I might feel aggrieved. Or aggressive.