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Not in the United States. Avendesora Send a noteboard - 28/06/2010 07:25:56 PM
It is illegal for bicycles to be on interstate highways. Where there are no sidewalks (between cities and most of rural america outside the immediate town/city), there are signs that say "shared roadway" which shows a car and bicycle in the picture-because people assume bicyclists aren't allowed on the road. Where I live it is also illegal for bicycles to be on the sidewalk. Generally where the speed limit is higher, the shoulder is too narrow to accomodate bicyclists.

There is a very windy* mountain road that I travel frequently. It is also the only road into a tourist area, so bicycles and cars frequently share the road. Now, part of this road is on the side of a mountain on a steep incline, where a river winds next to the mountain. The shoulder is literally 4 inches wide, then there's the stone wall, then a cliff that drops into a river. There are also many blind bends in the road so you can't see if there's someone coming in the opposite lane. The speed limit there is 55. So, of course, people drive 70. If there is a bicyclist in the lane, you have to basically do a the sign of the cross and try to go around, or be stuck and add 20 minutes onto the travel time because there is now way to pass.

Much of this issue could be solved simply by widening the shoulder. As Aemon said: infrastructure. This is on backcountry roads of course. I don't mind bicyclists. Most of the time I am not bothered by them, and I always watch out for them. Especially when the speed limit is low, there is lots of stop-and-go traffic and pedestrians to watch for, etc anyway. However, there are many places in this country where it's simply dangerous (for cars and bikes alike) to have shared roadways. And I agree with Aemon's point in that respect. Many of our roads are specifically designed to just be for automobile traffic and don't include the proper shoulders/paths for safe bicycle travel. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it just is.




*as in wind the watch, not wind that blows
*MySmiley*

I believe all news and research that supports my opinion, and dismiss the rest as conspiracy and lies.
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I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today - 28/06/2010 05:44:45 AM 1689 Views
Ummm - 28/06/2010 06:01:19 AM 1308 Views
Let me guess. You live in an American suburb. *NM* - 28/06/2010 06:12:24 AM 558 Views
Sorry, but no. - 28/06/2010 06:17:20 AM 1115 Views
I think you missed the part... - 28/06/2010 06:22:35 AM 1061 Views
Now that I've calmed down a bit, I'm going to actually address your points. - 28/06/2010 12:16:10 PM 1429 Views
hey now! - 28/06/2010 01:18:16 PM 967 Views
See apology below. *NM* - 29/06/2010 08:34:17 AM 578 Views
it's okay dude i was just giving you a hard time *NM* - 29/06/2010 09:24:56 AM 564 Views
I understand that what he said offended you - 28/06/2010 04:11:57 PM 1190 Views
My social capital at this site is pretty low, so I don't mind admitting that I agree with MK. - 28/06/2010 04:12:42 PM 1062 Views
This point: - 28/06/2010 06:37:32 PM 1175 Views
Not in the United States. - 28/06/2010 07:25:56 PM 1166 Views
Highways are, of course, a different matter. - 28/06/2010 07:32:50 PM 1120 Views
I know - 28/06/2010 07:34:04 PM 1223 Views
Re: I know - 28/06/2010 08:27:04 PM 1082 Views
Re: I know - 28/06/2010 08:38:14 PM 1209 Views
That makes me mad. - 28/06/2010 08:46:58 PM 1190 Views
Don't be mad - 28/06/2010 08:52:47 PM 1029 Views
Re: I know - 28/06/2010 09:15:22 PM 1174 Views
To your last question: Arlington County, VA - 30/06/2010 03:29:55 AM 997 Views
It is illegal to drive on the shoulder. - 29/06/2010 09:43:40 AM 1199 Views
Maybe I should have said "modern roads." - 28/06/2010 08:20:55 PM 1172 Views
Perhaps. - 28/06/2010 08:36:15 PM 1224 Views
I think we just disagree on the necessity is all. - 28/06/2010 09:00:44 PM 1000 Views
Matters of degree, I suppose. - 28/06/2010 09:07:40 PM 1004 Views
Yes, because that cyclist is SUCH a hazard to you in your car. - 29/06/2010 01:03:05 AM 1145 Views
The central issue is people. - 29/06/2010 09:52:22 AM 1130 Views
you keep talking about cyclists on highways as if it applied to all roads. - 29/06/2010 02:37:31 PM 1188 Views
There are TWO equally important points there: - 30/06/2010 01:15:17 AM 1188 Views
Re: I think we just disagree on the necessity is all. - 02/07/2010 09:19:13 PM 1141 Views
Two words: Public Transportation - 30/06/2010 03:32:05 AM 1154 Views
three words: share the road - 30/06/2010 04:08:28 AM 1177 Views
Re: three words: share the road - 01/07/2010 08:03:54 AM 1233 Views
Re: Two words: Public Transportation - 30/06/2010 08:43:51 AM 1331 Views
Re: Two words: Public Transportation - 01/07/2010 08:05:37 AM 1160 Views
Re: Two words: Public Transportation - 01/07/2010 08:40:10 AM 1107 Views
How the hell is a 7,000 person town Urban? - 01/07/2010 08:52:45 AM 1174 Views
Re: How the hell is a 7,000 person town Urban? - 04/07/2010 12:30:43 AM 1118 Views
Re: How the hell is a 7,000 person town Urban? - 05/07/2010 09:03:03 AM 1190 Views
I'd say you have it exactly the wrong way round. - 01/07/2010 09:41:27 AM 1245 Views
You can't be serious. If you do think that's always (not just sometimes) a viable option, then... - 30/06/2010 09:20:03 AM 1100 Views
Really? - 01/07/2010 08:07:29 AM 918 Views
Have you heard of Britain? - 01/07/2010 08:38:11 AM 1150 Views
My city doesn't have ANY. not even shuttle buses. *NM* - 01/07/2010 06:00:22 AM 636 Views
My city doesn't have anything eather. *NM* - 04/07/2010 12:32:52 AM 728 Views
You do realize that... - 28/06/2010 08:38:39 PM 1142 Views
Bikers can be equally as rude, I agree. - 29/06/2010 03:00:18 AM 1155 Views
heh - 29/06/2010 04:45:46 AM 1115 Views
Despite your subject line, I'm glad to see that we agree with each other more than MK and I do. - 29/06/2010 10:13:29 AM 1220 Views
Get your head on straight, you silly cyclist - 01/07/2010 08:02:58 AM 1014 Views
Now now, there's no need to be rude. - 02/07/2010 12:04:16 AM 1233 Views
Re: Now now, there's no need to be rude. - 04/07/2010 05:53:01 PM 1010 Views
What part of "there are no alternatives" don't you understand? - 04/07/2010 09:10:23 PM 1087 Views
What part of my post did you not read...? - 05/07/2010 09:01:32 AM 1251 Views
I agree entirely. - 28/06/2010 05:27:36 PM 1261 Views
Really???? - 28/06/2010 04:59:12 PM 1141 Views
that's always really annoying - 28/06/2010 06:27:07 AM 1290 Views
Re: I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today - 28/06/2010 03:25:22 PM 971 Views
Are they supposed to use sidewalks anywhere? *NM* - 28/06/2010 04:58:50 PM 537 Views
I doubt it. *NM* - 28/06/2010 05:32:17 PM 484 Views
my daughter rides her bike on the sidewalk all the time - 28/06/2010 06:07:01 PM 1117 Views
Not sure, but - 28/06/2010 06:53:14 PM 1018 Views
That all depends on what kind of road, I guess. - 28/06/2010 07:09:52 PM 1151 Views
we actually have a lot of cyclists on one of our 50mph roads - 29/06/2010 01:08:31 AM 1036 Views
I would - 28/06/2010 07:25:22 PM 1031 Views
You've alluded to that a few times now. - 28/06/2010 07:42:05 PM 1008 Views
a lot of the time they do in smaller cities - 29/06/2010 01:05:38 AM 926 Views
Of course. Most bikers not in the mid-size to larger cities do. - 29/06/2010 03:06:03 AM 989 Views
Re: Are they supposed to use sidewalks anywhere? - 02/07/2010 09:57:46 PM 1023 Views
That sucks - 28/06/2010 04:34:35 PM 967 Views
You have every right to be on the road. The guy was an ass. - 28/06/2010 07:30:23 PM 1089 Views
I'm so glad I actually READ what you said before responding. - 29/06/2010 09:16:25 AM 1148 Views
?? I thought it was matter of COURSE that bikes weren't allowed on the highway - 29/06/2010 09:27:06 AM 1097 Views
Should be, but it's not. - 29/06/2010 09:59:35 AM 1097 Views
Question for you. - 29/06/2010 10:22:13 AM 936 Views
the law says they have to to ride in single file as close to curb as is practical - 29/06/2010 03:31:55 PM 1010 Views
and i haven't said that anywhere. - 29/06/2010 02:39:06 PM 972 Views
That is what you get for living in Austin *NM* - 29/06/2010 02:38:20 PM 606 Views
about the driving on the shoulder thing - 29/06/2010 02:49:29 PM 1182 Views

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