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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 8, 2010 - 07:16pm PT
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Take note of the rules you agree to, when when you obtain a driver's Lic.at least, in California
So, on an urban road, two lanes going each way, like let's say, hypothetically, Ashby in Berkeley, or Civic, in walnut Creek, Ca, where there is no bike lane, it is NOT okay to share the lane in your car, with a bike.
The rules of the road™, say that you treat a bike with the same space requirements as a car, you don't tailgate, you don't crowd. If you need to pass, you wait for the opportunity, and patiently drive slower, until then., remember that a bike will stop a lot faster than you in your car will, plan accordingly!
You probably will never get a ticket for this reckless behavior, but the life you save be avoiding it, may very well be mine!
End of Rant.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Dude, that is not a rant.
That's a reasoned plea for responsible behavior. You can do much better. Squint those eyes. Tense all muscles. Crank the volume. Get the spittle flying.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 8, 2010 - 07:21pm PT
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How about how I get pissed when I yell "FUKC YOU!" as loud as I can, when they almost kill me, and I know they can't hear me, with the windows rolled up, and they are not paying attention in the first place?
Cheers, ghost!
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Greg Barnes
climber
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But, to play devil's advocate here, the letter of the law says a single bicyclist could go up Hwy 120 towards Yosemite at 5mph and block all traffic for miles, until there is a reasonable place to pull over.
Try that in a car, and the CHP (or Yos LEOs) would simply pull them over and have them towed - for good reason.
The honest truth is that there is NO cohesive set of laws concerning bike use on roads in California. Interpreting the existing laws is not black-and-white. And it's those shades of grey that a small subset of bikers interpret far too aggressively - hence the blocking traffic, riding side-by-side on narrow roads, etc.
Here's the vehicle code for going too slow:
22400. (a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.
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Ed Hartouni
Trad climber
Livermore, CA
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urban bike jamming is a contact sport
when I road a lot in NY I think I got away with being hit 4 times... and since I was younger, got away no worse for the wear...
I'm a much more defensive rider now, but that sometimes leads to violating, or certainly bending, the "rules of the road" so that it is safer, but i've run into cops with a different interpretation of that behavior vis-a-vis the Cali vehicle code.
I tend not to yell at people, simply put, you don't know what their intention is... you'd wish they were paying better attention to driving. I get pissed when people drive by oblivious to the road on their cell phones, talking or texting... huge worry in my mind out there. It is easy for them to forget where their car is and just sort of kill you.
No solution to this problem of mixed mode transport. Most bike paths I've ridden on have traffic problems too.
I have thought about riding to Yosemite, but I am sure I wouldn't go down 120 for most of the trip... there are other great roads to use to traverse the Central Valley. But there are only a few into the Valley, and grinding up Old or New Priest Grade would suck even with out the traffic.
Anyone here ever do this?
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 8, 2010 - 08:20pm PT
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Paging Yerian?
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aguacaliente
climber
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Most cyclists don't want to block traffic and be followed very closely by a car, it is uncomfortable. But it's not always possible or safe for us to let a car pass the instant it comes up. For me, if I am riding a bike on a narrow mountain road and you're behind and I'm not over to the side of the road, it means it's not safe for you to pass yet - like, there's a blind turn ahead and I can't see if there is oncoming traffic, or the pavement on the shoulder is bad and I can't use it. Just wait a few seconds and once it's clear I'll move over to the fog line so you can go by.
The Cali vehicle code says slow traffic should keep "as close to the right as is practicable" or something like that. I take "practicable" to include allowing a safe pass, but not an unsafe or instant one.
Some riders may take longer to move over, but in general a few seconds of patience solves a lot of problems. Similarly, if I am out with a friend and there is little traffic we may ride side-by-side to talk. If a car comes up we'll get in single-file, but it takes a little while to do that.
In urban situations, often I don't want to pull to the right because it's in the door zone of parked cars or there isn't room for a car and bike in the same lane, just wait a few seconds until we get to the end of the block to pass.
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EP
Social climber
Way Out There
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Just got a Surly Long Haul Trucker. I'll be riding from Vancouver to Santa Monica this summer if my dad's cancer treatment has him well enough for me to be gone for 9 weeks.
I am concerned about the long trip on a bike, knowing too well how inattentive drivers can be.
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 8, 2010 - 08:49pm PT
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It's a jungle out there, Fattrad! As you know!
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mucci
Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
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I target all of those fixed gear Poofter's.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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dude, please tell me you aren't trying to ride a bike on ashby.
i dont even drive on ashby if i can avoid it.
better off soloing twilight zone barefoot and naked.
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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I say we just grid out all the cities. Every other street is bike only. Makes the bikers happy, makes the drivers happy, makes the earth happy, cuts down on heart disease, and we can pull our boys home from the middle east. Win win win all around. Either that or just shoot all the drives. that would work even better. ha (don't think I haven't been tempted)
And riding side by side isn't just for talking; its often a safety mechanism. Otherwise cars will try to shoot by squeezing into one lane and drive a single cyclist into the gravel or gutter or glass or whatever sh#t is way off to the right. Of course we don't own the road - but we have a right to be safe and keep people from running over us.
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rotten johnny
Social climber
mammoth lakes, ca
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Jaybro.....try cranking your neck when you hear a car approaching and give the driver a look...i think most drivers are cowards and will feel less inclined to run you over if you they know the cyclist has a face.....how much time do you think dr. thompson should do for crashing the 2 cyclists in brentwood...? .rj
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Jaybro
Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 9, 2010 - 03:52pm PT
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I do do that sometimes, good call.
Well, what is the puishment for attempted murder?
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rotten johnny
Social climber
mammoth lakes, ca
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thompson is probably smart enough not to do that again.....crash the cyclists that is...loss of his drivers license for a while which might force him to commute by bicycle.....he should have to cover the cyclists injuries and ensuing complications from those injuries for life....suspension of his drs. license.....the dr. moved from california i believe and am wondering if it was because of the numerous death threats he received.....?
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LimestoneCowboy
Trad climber
Houston, Texas
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Though I'm not a Californian, I really take this thread to heart. I've been sidelined from climbing for 12 weeks now after an oblivious driver broadsided me on my road bike here in Houston. Broad daylight...very light traffic (odd for Houston)...fractured femur. PAY ATTENTION PEOPLE! I'm not asking for you to go out of your way to make room for us cyclists, but at least don't run us over. Please?
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olivier
Social climber
Hood River, OR
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Ed,
I've ridden from Mammoth to Berkeley in 98. That was before Google maps, which could really make a difference these days in terms of planning and safety. We took a path from Manteca towards Walnut Creek which to this day is the most dangerous road I've ever been on as a cyclist. It's called J4. X.
Today I would recommend riding to Yosemite to any experienced cyclist who is willing to ride a portion on dirt, MTB only, by navigating backroads the entire way. Only as you approach the valley will you be on the main roads, which are relatively safe. Old Priest Grade is safe as the speeds for everyone are low. Allow 3 days.
The state of the roads for cyclists has gotten very bad in recent years, in my opinion: Cell phones, road ragers, traffic density (cars and bikes). Berkeley is special, even the pedestrians cop an attitude, but it is in a class of its own.
In France bicycles have their own code of conduct and a portion of driver's ed. is dedicated to bicycles and the rights they have on the road. Everybody is required to learn this. We could certainly benefit from that approach here as more and more people are attracted to bikes for general transportation purposes.
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rotten johnny
Social climber
mammoth lakes, ca
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Olivier....them french are a bunch of slack-jawed faggots.....i prefer bike to car full contact encounters......rj
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olivier
Social climber
Hood River, OR
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rj,
I appreciate your response, but I can assure you that there is plenty of
car to bike contact. Usually the cyclist wins as the cars are so much smaller over there.
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