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
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
As I noted in my response to Deadsy. To my mind, bicyclists curising merrily along at 20 or 30 mph on the shoulder of a roadway where the limit is 60+ is a tacit admission they have no business being there. Maybe they have the RIGHT to be there, maybe it's LEGAL, but just because it's legal doesn't preclude it being mindnumbingly stupid. Had I my druthers I'd probably make it illegal to ride a bike anywhere the speed limit is >40 and put bike lanes everywhere else, despite the insistence of my host last weekend that "you don't HAVE to drive the speed limit. " Yeah, sorry, but eco-concerns and convenience aside, bicycles don't belong on highways, but it seems the only ones from which they're legally barred are controlled access highways. Get off your little self righteous high horse/banana seat and show some common sense. Creating a hazard and impeding the flow of traffic isn't saving the world, it's violating two separate laws designed to keep both you and me alive.
Sorry if I got a bit tangential there, but my point is: The shoulder is not a bike lane; a BIKE LANE is a bike lane. The shoulder is there for temporary/emergency stops. If anyone else tried to operate a vehicle in it for extended periods they'd be ticketed, so I'm not sure why bicyclists should get a pass.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
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Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today
28/06/2010 05:44:45 AM
- 1670 Views
Ummm
28/06/2010 06:01:19 AM
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Let me guess. You live in an American suburb. *NM*
28/06/2010 06:12:24 AM
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Yeah, the "sport" part gives that away even more than everything else... *NM*
28/06/2010 08:06:03 AM
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seriously, you think people didn't use bikes as transportation anymore!! *NM*
28/06/2010 08:26:36 AM
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That was offensive to cyclists. People who think like you are why so many of us die. *NM*
28/06/2010 08:28:24 AM
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Now that I've calmed down a bit, I'm going to actually address your points.
28/06/2010 12:16:10 PM
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hey now!
28/06/2010 01:18:16 PM
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I understand that what he said offended you
28/06/2010 04:11:57 PM
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You're right, I was stereotyping and getting a little ad hominem. I'm sorry. *NM*
29/06/2010 08:33:20 AM
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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
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Re: My social capital at this site is pretty low, so I don't mind admitting that I agree with MK.
28/06/2010 06:27:42 PM
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This point:
28/06/2010 06:37:32 PM
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Not in the United States.
28/06/2010 07:25:56 PM
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Highways are, of course, a different matter.
28/06/2010 07:32:50 PM
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I know
28/06/2010 07:34:04 PM
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Re: I know
28/06/2010 08:27:04 PM
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Re: I know
28/06/2010 08:38:14 PM
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It is illegal to drive on the shoulder.
29/06/2010 09:43:40 AM
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i'm pretty sure bicycles are banned from almost all highways, regardless of access
29/06/2010 02:34:00 PM
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Maybe I should have said "modern roads."
28/06/2010 08:20:55 PM
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Perhaps.
28/06/2010 08:36:15 PM
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I think we just disagree on the necessity is all.
28/06/2010 09:00:44 PM
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Yes, because that cyclist is SUCH a hazard to you in your car.
29/06/2010 01:03:05 AM
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The central issue is people.
29/06/2010 09:52:22 AM
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you keep talking about cyclists on highways as if it applied to all roads.
29/06/2010 02:37:31 PM
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There are TWO equally important points there:
30/06/2010 01:15:17 AM
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then why are you arguing with me? I said that the central issue is people being stupid. *NM*
01/07/2010 05:59:23 AM
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Two words: Public Transportation
30/06/2010 03:32:05 AM
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...doesn't exist or is completely dysfunctional in a lot of places. *NM*
30/06/2010 03:57:26 AM
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Re: Two words: Public Transportation
30/06/2010 08:43:51 AM
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Re: Two words: Public Transportation
01/07/2010 08:05:37 AM
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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
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My city doesn't have ANY. not even shuttle buses. *NM*
01/07/2010 06:00:22 AM
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Re: My city doesn't have ANY. not even shuttle buses.
01/07/2010 08:08:02 AM
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Outside of a highly urbanized area, I surmise. The entirety of the US is not like the East Coast. *NM*
02/07/2010 02:11:01 AM
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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
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Get your head on straight, you silly cyclist
01/07/2010 08:02:58 AM
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He never said there were no buses in our city. He said that, as a student, he can't afford them. *NM*
01/07/2010 08:42:47 AM
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I'd say most urban areas have few roads with speed limits above 50 km/h (30mph)
01/07/2010 10:35:20 AM
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Now now, there's no need to be rude.
02/07/2010 12:04:16 AM
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Re: Now now, there's no need to be rude.
04/07/2010 05:53:01 PM
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That's always upsetting. You just have to remember that some people are simply arseholes, and...
28/06/2010 11:41:22 AM
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Re: I got screamed at by a motorist while riding my bicycle today
28/06/2010 03:25:22 PM
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Are they supposed to use sidewalks anywhere? *NM*
28/06/2010 04:58:50 PM
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In Sweden we often have combined bike and walking paths a few meters to the side of the road
28/06/2010 06:22:40 PM
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Not sure, but
28/06/2010 06:53:14 PM
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Thankfully I live in a very bike-friendly city, though this sort of thing has still happened to me. *NM*
28/06/2010 07:56:59 PM
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I'm so glad I actually READ what you said before responding.
29/06/2010 09:16:25 AM
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?? I thought it was matter of COURSE that bikes weren't allowed on the highway
29/06/2010 09:27:06 AM
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Should be, but it's not.
29/06/2010 09:59:35 AM
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Question for you.
29/06/2010 10:22:13 AM
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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
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