[VaSteve]

This is why I get out on the road at 6:30 am on weekends for a ride around my area. Even still have had a few closed calls. I don't know about the 3 foot rule, but many of the edges are pretty broken up. Sidewalk is too bumpy to ride unless touring with the kids. On a recent trip to Maine, I actually did a bit of riding next to the double yellow the road was so bad, but I was committed at that point. That's Vacationland, so everything was pretty peaceful. (Construction guys with a sign flipped from Stop to Slow and I told them that's all I COULD do).

People in MD have nice wide roads set up for the Amish I guess, we have vegetation all the way to the point where it can reach out an touch you sometimes.

I'm always SA with my mirror and my blinky lights. With the lights I have gotten few horn honkers than in the past. I don't listen to anything but my labored breathing and the chain mocking me since I'm in too low a gear and need to go up one.

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

Get the bell. Beats saying "onyerleft " all the time too. It is not the earbuds it is the people that get on a busy MUP and think they are walking alone in the woods. No clue of the rules of the path and complete expectation the the world is there to gently catch them should they stumble.
I size up each pass and how I signal it. Clueless turons get along distance bell ring and an on yourleft when I am a bit closer. Experienced jogger holding right a soft ding. Group of. Lime and pink spandex yanking away 3 wide. Soft ding and a nice voice thanks if they compress a bit.

Road. Rear light on. Brain on. Let them pass where safe take the lane where not. None of the bell and random acts of stupid as seen on the MUPs.

Warm weekend days are chock full o nuts.

Good summary VG.

I'd also note another category that requires a specialized approach. The slow, methodological approach For safety reasons of course.

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Potomac-Greg

I absolutely agree on both points. As to the first, point, I think a bike rider has a legal right to a full lane -- which is ridiculous. In theory, then can ride in the middle or even in the left tire groove, and you would have to wait for a safe place to pull into opposing traffic to pass. Thankfully, most bike riders will move over. But, consistent with your second point, if it's a hard-core, spandex-clad, Tour de France wanna-be, then they're not going to deviate course nor velocity for anyone. And then there are the packs of spandex-clad-riders .........

Also agree.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by vranko

Good summary VG.

I'd also note another category that requires a specialized approach. The slow, methodological approach For safety reasons of course.

Attachment 42535

^Worth a repost. I have become rather fond of ponytails in the past couple of years for some reason. Will have to tell you my MUP target fixation story sometime.

[vranko]

^ I did a lot of "research" to find that pic Looking forward to it. Hope to see you on the trail and hear all about it.

[Lt. Dan]

As someone who has become a fairly avid cyclist over the last 6 months, I find the different opinions in this thread pretty entertaining.....

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by Drscope

As a rider I find two types of cyclists to be REALLY annoying.

First the road riders who have decided after the 3 foot law went into effect that they now own the entire lane. Especially when this is on narrow, twisting roads with limited visibility and few places to make a safe pass. (I suspect this may in fact be the case with the cyclist in the article)

The others are the ones in the heavily used state park on the paths who are trying to break the land speed record while other riders are enjoying a sedate ride, pedestrians are walking, dogs are on leashes, and children are present.

They owned the lane before the 3 foot law. The laws regarding bikes and cars goes way back to cars, horses, farm tractors and the like for the most part. The issue riders have in hugging the fog line is that a car will cross 1/2 way over the double yellow to pass the bike and swerve back into the rider when they then encounter an oncoming car. This happens and more often that you might think. Ether the car can pass or it can't. If the rider were a slow dumptruck the car would be required to stay behind until the yellow line became dashed. Same for a rider. Bikes will often slide over to let a car pass but they do not have to and take on risk doing so. (assuming everyone follows the law which no one does.)

More than once I have had a car come up on a singlr lane no shoulder road, cross the yellow and throttle up and away only to have me pull up right behind them at the light. I tend to make a point to stop so I can make eye contact via their drivers side mirror. Lately I have been taking the lane on the smaller roads as I can maintain the posted speed limit on almost everyting but hills. If I am doing 25 in a 25 and the lines next to me are double yellow I am taking the lane. If I can move over so a car can go by without going over the lines I do so.

DC s up to its armpits in cars. Clogged roads and shortage of parking. At some point they need to make it easy and safe for people to ride around. No cost to taxpayers such as with metro. No buses on the roads just people moving around quietly and without bad impact on the infrastructure or enviroment. not the solution for everyone but it is a great one for many and can be for many more if it is setup as it is in many other cities.

I dont condone stupid riding on MUPs but they are just that, muli use paths. The riders the walkers and the dogs all need to understand the muli modal use of the MUPs. Got a dog and want to go for a walk? short leash keep him in control and don't walk a dog that goes nutcakes every bike he sees. Got a kid that is learnig to ride a bike? Don't have them learn on what is the bike version of the beltway. Want to go for a walk? Please do so in your lane and looking before you walk out of it. Want to go for a 8 mph ride? Please do so but not 3 wide and wanting to get pissy when someone wants to go past you on their 12 mph ride. do you get in the fast lane and go 55? No, you are an OK guy. but people clog up the MUPs doing what it is they want to do with disregard to the other people trying to do what they want to. when matters too. sunny warm weekend. No pace lines as the place is packed with a mix of users that do and don't know how to properly use a MUP. Gray november afternoon might see one or two people per mile and they are likley hardcore and follow the rules.

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

As someone who has become a fairly avid cyclist over the last 6 months, I find the different opinions in this thread pretty entertaining.....

I'd say the opinions so far are fairly mainstream. The topic of bicycling on roads with cars and trails with runners is a hotly debated all over the internet. Most of the opinions/thoughts here are just mostly common sense advice for everyone participating in all the above activities.

[Vicegrip]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

As someone who has become a fairly avid cyclist over the last 6 months, I find the different opinions in this thread pretty entertaining.....

And the same opinions seen all over the US.

Nothing will change an opinion other than seeing something from the other angle first person.

[vranko]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

They owned the lane before the 3 foot law. The laws regarding bikes and cars goes way back to cars, horses, farm tractors and the like for the most part.

Also Amish families with horse and buggies! Came way to close to taking one out on the drive to Mid-O a few years (Thanks Ed H!)

I once was bicycling on a rural road in Loudon County (probably not so rural anymore). Shoulder was about a half foot wide made up of large gravel/rocks. Dump truck comes barreling down the road. I heard it coming and saw it in my little mirror. Never gave me any space. I decided the safest thing to do was go into the gravel and dive into the ravine next to it. Ended up upside down on top of fairly soft foliage about 5 feet below the road surface. Not hurt at all luckily. What really p*ssed me off was another cyclist road by when it happened. Looked down and laugh and said something in a british accent then road off! Ever since when I hear a male british accent I want to punch the person (Not Aussie Tony K!)