“Recommendations for cyclists operating in narrow multi-lane roads (typically ~12 ft or less)”...
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Transcript of “Recommendations for cyclists operating in narrow multi-lane roads (typically ~12 ft or less)”...
“Recommendations for cyclists operating in narrow multi-lane roads (typically ~12 ft or less)”
Presentationby Martin Pion, B.Sc. (M.Sc.)
March 12, 2012
* Certified Cycling Instructor, League of American Bicyclists, since 1998
* Adult cyclist promoting bicycle transportation for over 40 years
• Research scientist with degrees in Physics & Math., London University, England
Police car followed from before A to Baptist Church driveway at B
N. Florissant at First Baptist Church of Ferguson
Pulled over by Ferguson Police Officer at Ferguson 1st Baptist
Church
Officer started writing a ticked for obstructing traffic and also checked
Ferguson municipal code:Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways
See next slide
Ferguson Municipal Code Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways
Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles. (Code 1973, § 42.92.3(2), (3); Ord. No. 96-2809, § 1, 1-9-96) State law reference- Similar provisions, RSMo 307.190.
(Emphasis added)
Florissant Rd. near Baptist Church
The following graphics illustrate the safety issues
inherent in trying to share a narrow lane on a multi-lane
arterial road or collector
Graphics provided courtesy of ©Keri Caffrey, Inc.,
founder of Savvy Cycling, and used with permission.
Minimum recommended clearance:
3 ft between motor vehicle & cyclist on roads with
moderate speeds
Ohio state law
A cyclist should maintain a safety zone two feet or more from a curb or edge of pavement. Since the recommended minimum clearance for passing a cyclist (at moderate speed) is 3 feet and the width of larger motor vehicles with extending mirrors is 8 feet or more, a lane must have at least 14 feet of usable width too allow motor traffic to pass safely within the lane. When passing parked vehicles, cyclists should ride a predictable line outside the “door zone” danger area. Some open doors extend 4 feet from the car.
Bicyclist’s Essential
Operating Space
The Ford F-Series was the best-selling U.S. passenger vehicle in
2006. SUVs and trucks were the top-selling
vehicle types until mid-2008. They remain a
significant percentage of the vehicles on the road
today.
___________________________
Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space
Only a Mini Cooper can
give a bicyclist anywhere near 3ft of passing clearance in a
12ft lane
Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space
When a bicycle driver operates far enough left to encourage other drivers to change lanes, she gets more operating space, 6-8 ft of clearance is typical (making a 3 ft law irrelevant).
Location of incident on N. Florissant Rd., Ferguson
The first slide following is a repeat of the plan view shown earlier, shortly before the point where the cyclist pulled off the road into the entrance to the First Baptist Church of Ferguson
N. Florissant at First Baptist
Controlling the lane
encourages motorists to
change lanes, or wait behind
you until it’s safe to pass
Bicycling along Florissant Rd: videotaped at 2:15 pm the following day - Wednesday,
February 29, 2012
Short video clip: Florissant Rd. adjoining First Baptist Church
Note: May need to click or double-click video to play
Avoid interpretation issues in local ordinance by amending it as follows:
Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride two abreast in lane. Where bicyclists have the option of a bicycle lane or shoulder, they may choose to use it instead of controlling or sharing the travel lane.
We should be encouraging safe competent cycling for many reasons:
Air pollution
Ozone hole
Road building/widening/runoff
SprawlClimate change
Resource depletionForeign oil
dependency/foreign wars
Obesity/lackof exerciseepidemic