Another bicycle versus cars rant.... WWYD, report them?

[fintstone]

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.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by fintstone

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

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.

[mikeferg75]

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.

[Joe Bob]

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?

[fintstone]

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.

[Joe Bob]

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.

[Zeke]

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.

[mikeferg75]

Originally Posted by fintstone

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.

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?

[mikeferg75]

3 foot law

Colorado's Three Foot Law - YouTube

[fintstone]

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?

[Joe Bob]

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

[jyl]

Originally Posted by fintstone

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.

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?

[mikeferg75]

Originally Posted by jyl

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

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by fintstone

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.

We understand your situation

[fintstone]

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.

[fintstone]

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

[fintstone]

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.

[mikeferg75]

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

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by fintstone

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

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?

[jyl]

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.

Originally Posted by fintstone

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.