The problem with traffic laws is that they are by and large made for higher-speed vehicles like cars which have limited side and rear visibility but basically unlimited mass and power and highly variable intelligence. Cyclists feel the danger of "6000 lbs and stupid" and the poor fit of traffic laws (red lights, stop signs) every day. Cyclists are largely unprotected from others' mistakes and thus have to look out for themselves much more than others. In my experience, this is where the "I am above the law" attitude comes from. Very understandable in my view.

Where I live and where I like to drive (mountain roads), we have many cyclists, in particular on the weekends and I make it a point to ALWAYS go out of my way to respect them. That means if I approach a cyclist from behind, I break down to the same speed and keep a non-threatening distance until I can overtake SLOWLY on the other side of the road, keeping about a lane width of distance. Conversely, when I see a cyclist approach me, I also ALWAYS slow down to signal that I saw him/her and do not pose a risk.

Again, to the cyclist I am a predator, so it's just common courtesy in my opinion to signal very clearly that I am not. BTW, it also has the effect that nearly all cyclists' response is to make it really easy for me to pass. Many even wave, which makes me happy, too.

 

So, I also live in Southeastern Pennsylvania too.

All the wonderful roads by me have speed limits that range 35 mph to 45 mph, with blind curves and hills. They're also all double lines until the next traffic light which could be 5-6 miles out. So, on these roads where a cyclist is doing let's say 10 mph up hill, I can break the law, pass on a double line and potentially get into a head-on collision, possibly killing myself or God-forbid seriously hurt someone else - someone innocent, pulled into an unnecessary emergency situation. Now take the opposite, another motorist crosses the double lines into my lane - now were both bearing down towards each other (assume 45 mph) at almost 133 feet per second. Why? What for, personal freedom? I understand it takes two to make an accident, but which party created the impetus for action?

I have no problem sharing the road, and always try to be courteous and respectfully - and trust me I break at every blind corner as the thought of hitting some innocent person out for a ride sickens me - all the fun and joy I have with cars would be over in an instant and that's the least significant outcome. However, it would seem reasonable and prudent to me that if a cyclist doesn't have the option of a bike path or wide shoulder that perhaps he or she should stay to roads where they can maintain or be within a reasonable level of the speed limit.

Why are certain roads restricted to motor vehicles? Perhaps for everyone's safety.

 

Well said. I experience the same sensations when driving also.

 

The Pennsylvania motor vehicle code expressly allows crossing a double yellow line to pass a cyclist.

http://www.justdrivepa.org/Resources...-Motorists.pdf

 

Thanks for clarifying, and I sincerely mean this - I think what you're doing is great for you and the environment.

The issue I'm focused on is how we can both share the road safely. There's a reason for the double line in the road - it's because the traffic engineers deemed it unsafe for cars to pass. I'm thinking of the roads by us - not many of them with double lines go on with an unobstructed view for a half a mile. Due to the blind curves, I can't safely pass and essentially have to wait for the next traffic light, because the cyclist can't pedal at 35 - 45 mph on undulating hilly roads. Let's say, it looks clear, I decide to pass and now I'm coming straight at a mother in an SUV with her three kids in the back. What happens? Conversely, let's say someone has crossed the double lines and I'm around the bend with my wife and child.

It seems to me there's a legitimate need for more bike paths, but also for cyclist to try to avoid riding on roads where they can't keep up with the posted speed limit.

If that's not a solution, then for everyone's good, maybe the answer is to go back and revise the law for exactly, where, when and how cyclists can use public streets so that they can be safe and healthy and help the environment, which in turn benefits all of us.

 

Posted speed is the maximum speed.

When was the last time you "drove" your Porsche on the Schuylkill Expressway? Did you average more than 15 mph in rush hour between Conshohocken and Belmont? Should we limit access to that road to Porsches, Ferraris, and Lambos? Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of old folks (old as someone older than I) in Buicks not going fast enough in the left lane. How about, if we limit use of the roads to brown eyed folks? Let the blue eyes walk or take a bus. Sounds silly huh?

Co-existence is the sole remaining solution. On behalf of my fellow cyclists I do apologize for those 30 minutes you will probably spend over the next 10 years waiting to pass a cyclist.

Out here in northern central Chester County we may be a little more tolerant as we have all been "trapped" behind Amish folks traveling in buggies pulled by horses out on Route 322 or 23.

As I said in a previous post, deal with it.

 

Clearly you're not open to a dialogue or any other perspective. Have you been in Congress?

Routes 322 and 23 have plenty of straights with excellent visibility and line of sight.

 

Now, now, let's keep it civil. Me a Congressman? There is no lower form of life.

I think you need to re-read my post and/or join me on a bike ride on Route 23 in northwestern Chester County into Lancaster County. Lots of rolling hills and curves.

 

I appreciate the offer. Be safe out there and I'll keep look out next time I head to the Shady Maple- if you notice a friendly wave from a black C2S you'll know it's me (silver was the color of my 997).


Pax Vobiscum.

 

And to you.

 

Awesome! For all us cyclists, thanks for looking out. For me, I prefer cars to pass quick-ish while at least giving me some space to the side. A car that goes my speed while camped behind me is annoying. I just want them to get past. The roads I ride on that isn't much of an issue as they're mostly multiple lanes each direction (with some bike lanes in segments). Half my rides weekly are in darkness before people leave their houses. I find it's safer than riding after work with all the impatient people trying to shave milliseconds off their daily commute. Plus my lights are very bright and make it impossible not to know I'm there. So far so good. Although I've had 2 flats this summer running over sharp objects I couldn't see. There's no perfect solution!!

 

http://www.dailylocal.com/general-ne...cling-accident

 

I appreciate the value of bike rding as serious exerecise, but also recognize the potential danger of incurring life-long physical disability due to a bike-car accident.

I do not ride on roads that I have to share with cars. Instead, for several years, my bike riding has consisted of a series of
"repeats" up a long, exteremely steep, very lightly traveled road. Climb at maximum effort, coast down, and repeat as many times as endurance and will-power allow. It makes a nice cross-training change from running fast quarter-mile "intervals" on a track.

Frankly, I don't understand the mentality that make bike riders put their physical well-being on the line in order to assert their " right to the road".
Having had a friend permanently crippled while riding as the result of car driver error, I have no interest in it.

 

Road cyclists require roads. I can't imagine anyone cycling as purely an assertion to a right. Cyclists cycle because they enjoy it and enjoy the many tangible benefits to include social aspects, achievement, conditioning, etc. Some, like me, are very safety conscious and try to be very visible. Sure it's a risk, but we'd rather be on dedicated bike paths not subject to traffic. Not everyone has a an optimum choice.

I cycle starting at 5am several days a week. Traffic is very low. A month ago I was cycling in a less than well lit segment. I have a flashing front light that is quite bright. Luckily, just in time, I saw two runners wearing all black and running side by side right in my path going the same direction. Nothing to make them visible. A quick maneuver is all that stopped me from running over one of them.

We all have to make the best of our conditions. Cycling in groups is safer than alone. Cycling where and when traffic is minimal is a good practice too. I personally don't cycle to assert my right to be on a road. I do try to share it as safely as possible though.