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Time for another episode of Share the Road 101
2011-May-12, Thursday 21:46If you encounter a cyclist on the road you may NOT pass them in the lane they are in, whether a motorcycle or a bicycle. You are in fact REQUIRED to change lanes and pass them. Please do not buzz by a cyclist with a foot of clearance and think that's all right. You can blow the cyclist right off the road, or suck them into your car and cause serious harm.
I really don't think everyone who does this is a jerk. I think people just don't get it how freaking dangerous it is to breeze by like that. Also, if I'm in the center of the lane, or changing my position, understand that it is for a reason not because I don't know what I'm doing. there are road hazards that might not phase a car but which could throw me right off my bike. This includes storm drains which can trap narrow tires of road bikes, scrobble on the road, badly broken pavement and poorly repaired manholes. Always assume that a cyclist will change their position within the lane they are in to avoid hazards and accept that this is because it is in fact THEIR lane and not just them trying to be a jerk to you and keep you from passing.
If there is only one lane, and it is a no passing zone, a polite cyclist WILL get over as far as they can and nod at you when it's safe. Please don't honk. They know you are there, and you could startle them and cause an accident. How hard do you jump when someone suddenly blows for no reason when you are driving? Now imagine jumping like that when you are cycling. Please don't do it. Also please don't expect them to ditch the bike for you just because you are behind them. They do have the right to be on the road and in fact it is where they are supposed to be riding.
Please pass this information along so that more people understand the real rules of the road regarding sharing our roadways with cyclists.
I really don't think everyone who does this is a jerk. I think people just don't get it how freaking dangerous it is to breeze by like that. Also, if I'm in the center of the lane, or changing my position, understand that it is for a reason not because I don't know what I'm doing. there are road hazards that might not phase a car but which could throw me right off my bike. This includes storm drains which can trap narrow tires of road bikes, scrobble on the road, badly broken pavement and poorly repaired manholes. Always assume that a cyclist will change their position within the lane they are in to avoid hazards and accept that this is because it is in fact THEIR lane and not just them trying to be a jerk to you and keep you from passing.
If there is only one lane, and it is a no passing zone, a polite cyclist WILL get over as far as they can and nod at you when it's safe. Please don't honk. They know you are there, and you could startle them and cause an accident. How hard do you jump when someone suddenly blows for no reason when you are driving? Now imagine jumping like that when you are cycling. Please don't do it. Also please don't expect them to ditch the bike for you just because you are behind them. They do have the right to be on the road and in fact it is where they are supposed to be riding.
Please pass this information along so that more people understand the real rules of the road regarding sharing our roadways with cyclists.
