*sadlebred* rules of the road

[Deleted]

Could you please bore me with the exceptions to traffic rules that cyclists would know? I do not want to be a person on a bike! Thanks

[sadlebred]

Most states follow the "Uniform Traffic Code" for motor vehicles and bikes. Some states have exceptions for bicycles.

Here in Georgia, cyclists can pass stopped cars on the right if the road is wide enough. Let's say that I am at a light with a line of stopped cars. I am turning right. I can pass the cars on the right side and turn right at the red light (assume for the sake of argument that you can turn right on red at this light, you have enough time to pass the car, etc.).

Reference: www.gahighwaysafety.org/docs/gabicyclelawenforcementguide.pdf

In Idaho, cyclists can do a "rolling stop" instead of a complete stop at stop signs under some circumstances. As far as I know, they are the only state to have such law. (I'd LOVE to see this law in Georgia. I stop at stop signs...)

www.lostrivercycling.org/idcode.html

A quick Google search of "Your state bike laws" will usually bring up your state's bike laws or the part of the Uniform Traffic Code that refers to bikes. There are also some states that allow anyone to ride on the sidewalk (it's illegal here in GA for anyone but children), etc.

[agrippa]

In Virginia, you can sit through one light cycle and then proceed cautiously through a red light if there is no car there to trigger the sensor for you.

[krista]

I've been biking on the streets in a new city for a couple of weeks now and am shocked at how vehicles completely ignore my right to be on the streets. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do have a right to be on the streets?! For example, a couple days ago I was at an intersection with 4 way stop signs, turning left. I attempted to proceed through the intersection just as I would if I was in a car, going when it was my turn. The car opposite me almost ran me over. Did I do something wrong, trying to get through the intersection?

I've been trying to google my new state's bicycle laws, but I'm not finding a lot of information.

eta: sadlebred, I just saw the other thread where you said bicyclists follow the same rules of the road as cars. good. That's what I thought and that's how I've been operating. This is the first time I've ever biked for transportation and I'm really surprised at how drivers ignore my right to be on the road with them.

[Deleted]

I learned today that in Michigan, if there's a path designated for bikes (like in our metro parks) that runs parallel to the road, you're not supposed to be on the road. Beyond that, the laws are pretty vague. I can be on the sidewalk as long as I yield to pedestrians and verbally announce myself when I plan to pass them.

[aurora]

Jun 17, 2012 7:18:20 GMT -5 krista said:

I've been biking on the streets in a new city for a couple of weeks now and am shocked at how vehicles completely ignore my right to be on the streets. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do have a right to be on the streets?! For example, a couple days ago I was at an intersection with 4 way stop signs, turning left. I attempted to proceed through the intersection just as I would if I was in a car, going when it was my turn. The car opposite me almost ran me over. Did I do something wrong, trying to get through the intersection?

I've been trying to google my new state's bicycle laws, but I'm not finding a lot of information.

eta: sadlebred, I just saw the other thread where you said bicyclists follow the same rules of the road as cars. good. That's what I thought and that's how I've been operating. This is the first time I've ever biked for transportation and I'm really surprised at how drivers ignore my right to be on the road with them.

If you're willing to say your new state's name there may be someone here who knows more about the specific bike laws there. But generally, I would also assume that a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a motorist on the kind of road that would have a 4-way stop sign (not a divided highway or huge road that has a separate bike lane), in which case you should be within your rights to stop and then take a left turn in the proper order. Unfortunately a lot of drivers don't know this, and you're the one who pays the price if they make mistakes.

I live in a fairly bike-friendly area, but there was a case a few years ago in which a cyclist came to a full stop at a stop sign without putting his foot down (he could balance while stopped) and then got ticketed because the officer said that for a cyclist a stop sign required one foot to touch the ground. There were a lot of jokes about motorists having to open their doors at every stop sign and touch a foot to the asphalt to make it equivalent.

[sadlebred]

As a general rule, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers. I'd check your state laws or with your state bicycle advocacy organization. FWIW kny, that car driver was being a jerk. If your state is the same as most states, you can take the full lane in order to turn left.

Most "paths" are not designated as BIKE ONLY. Sessalee--I'd make sure they are true "bike only" paths and not "mulituse paths." Georgia has the same law yet not one "bike only" path in the state. If there is a mutli use path along side the road, chances are you are not required to use it.