A self-described “avid” cyclist offers advice for cyclists in the canyons above Malibu.
And gets most of it wrong.
Despite what he says, bike riders aren’t expected to ride on the shoulder, or even hug the white line at the right of the road. In fact, nothing to the right of the limit line is even considered part of the roadway under California law.
And despite a common misperception, cyclists are not required to ride as close to the right as possible. Rather, bike riders — like any other slow moving vehicles — are expected to ride as close to the right as practicable.
Which means far enough into the roadway to avoid the broken glass, rocks and potholes that too often accumulate on the right.
Then there’s the question of the narrow traffic lanes usually found on canyon roads. The requirement to ride to the right does not apply to any lane too narrow for a bike and a car to safely share with at least three feet between them. Which includes most of the right lanes in Southern California.
There’s also nothing in California law prohibiting cyclists from riding two or more abreast, as long as they stay within a single unsharable lane. In fact, it’s often safer to ride abreast in order to increase visibility and maintain control of the lane.
While it may seem safer and more polite, riding single file along the limit line encourages drivers to pass cyclists in a dangerous manner, rather than change lanes to safely go around them. And it increases the likelihood that passing motorists will try to cut back in between the riders to avoid oncoming traffic, greatly raising the risk of a collision.
Never mind that it’s actually easier to pass a more compact group of cyclists riding abreast than it is a long, strung out line of single file riders.
Yes, bicyclists should always obey the law, and show courtesy to others on the road whenever it’s safe to do so.
And as he notes, we will inevitably come out on the losing end in any conflict with a motor vehicle.
That is why cyclists can and should ride in the manner they consider safest, and motorists should drive carefully around them. Even if drivers — or other “avid” cyclists — may not understand why we ride the way we do.
It only takes a modicum of courtesy and patience on everyone’s part to make sure we all get home safely.
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In a highly biased report, a Bay Area TV station takes a remarkably one-sided look at California’s new three-foot passing law.
San Francisco’s KGO-7 concludes that it is virtually impossible for drivers on the city’s crowded streets to give a bike rider three-feet of passing distance while remaining in the same lane.
Evidently, San Francisco drivers somehow lack the ability to change lanes or wait until it’s safe to pass. And never mind that the law allows drivers to pass at less than three feet after slowing to a reasonable speed, whatever that may be.
They also inexplicably note that bike riders aren’t subject to a fine for coming within three feet of a motor vehicle, evidently failing to realize that the purpose of the law is to protect the lives and safety of cyclists, rather than keep motor vehicles from getting scratched.
The law may be far from perfect, thanks to Governor Jerry Brown’s veto of a better version of the law in 2011, as well as weaker version in 2012.
But it’s a hell of a lot better than their amateur reporting would make it seem.
And misguided reports like this only add to the animosity on our streets, putting cyclists at even greater risk.
Jerks.
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A bike rider was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies in Compton last month after a traffic stop for illegally riding while wearing headphones.
The official version is he tried to flee, then grabbed the officer’s gun in a struggle to get away; a deputy wounded in the incident was shot with his partner’s gun.
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LocalBicycle Retailer notes the ascension of ex-Helen’s employee Chris Klibowitz to editor of Road Magazine. Seriously, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Updated plans for a remade Union Station include two bike and pedestrian bridges over the busy rail yard.
The Bike League makes a mini-grant to the LACBC and Multicultural Communities for Mobility to promote women as community leaders.
There will be a commemorative ride for fallen Pasadena cyclist Phillip O’Neill in the city’s Grant Park next Sunday.
Long Beach’s new mayor calls for more bike cops, and making the bike-friendly city safer for everyone.
The Santa Clarita Century Ride and Expo rolls next weekend.
State
The five-day I Can Bike camp teaches disabled children to ride.
OC’s cdmCyclist confesses to Dirty Old Man On A Bike Syndrome. For the sake of full disclosure, I have to confess to riding into the back of a park car while gazing upon an attractive woman in my younger days. She thought it was funny; the owner of the car, not so much.
A bicycling victim of the Isla Vista tragedy hopes to walk in his graduation ceremony; the rider ho was run down in the vicious rampage is the last victim still hospitalized.
San Jose attempts to discourage, but not ban, sidewalk riding.
National
A new book tells the story of early bike racing legend Major Taylor, who broke the color barrier over a century ago.
An Oregon man alleges police beat him for riding while black.
A bamboo bike-riding Utah charity fundraiser is convicted of using the money to fund a Ponzi scheme.
Non-cycling Chicago residents are afraid of the city’s new bike lanes, but bike riders aren’t.
Fortunately, the reports of an upstate New York rider’s death were greatly exaggerated. Oops, say the local police.
The public could soon be banned from parking their bikes at the US Capitol.
Some people just don’t belong on the road. A Virginia driver who killed a cyclist had received two tickets in the last year — both after a crash that killed her daughter and niece last spring.
International
CNN offers the world’s most incredible bike routes.
Women’s cycling is starting to take its rightful place next to men’s. But women riders offer a voice to be listened to, not a problem to be solved.
Five UK residents rescue a cyclist who was trapped under a car.
It’s not only cars that crash into buildings, as a UK cyclist crashes through a local storefront.
Keep your eyes on Craigslist. Brazen thieves steal 200 bikes worth over $1.1 million from Scott’s Swiss factory, including 2015 models not even on the market yet.
An Aussie cyclist competing in a race swaps his water bottle for a beer. For the second time.
Finally…
In an amazing story, 25-year old cyclist Jonny Bellis will be riding in the Tour of Britain — five years after nearly dying and being told he would never walk again, let alone ride.
And maybe we should cut drivers some slack, because parking really does make them crazy.
