Todd.Dye@CH2M.com
Sounds about right to me
The only thing I would add, is that if your are in a bike lane going
straight through an intersection where cars are turning to the right
(across the bike lane) you need to position yourself safely regardless
of the fact that you have the right of way and the cars are "supposed
to" watch out for you and yield before they make their turn. Seems
obvious, but I'm always amazed at how many experienced riders I see not
paying attention and getting the right hook treatment.
The best rule of thumb there is to assume that EVERY car is going to
turn right regardless of whether they have a turn signal on or not.
When approaching a slow moving line of cars (say traffic was backed up
and the light just turned green) I slow down to match the speed of the
advancing traffic and position myself in the bike lane parallel to the
gap between two of the cars to my left. I try to keep a bike length
between my wheel and the bumper of the car in front, so that if they
make a sudden right turn they are ahead of me. This also makes it a lot
harder for the car behind to miss seeing me.
The key here is to pick two cars in the line where the gap is the
largest. To me, that indicates that the driver in back has a little bit
of patience and will likely give you more wiggle room to proceed
straight between the two cars.
________________________________
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of david baker
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:09 AM
To: George de Randich; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I would like some informationon Oregon
/WashingtonTraffic requlations for bicycles & tricycles
George,
Hopefully you have a flag if you are low to the ground.
If the vehicle is traveling the same direction as you and wants to turn
right, and there is a clear bike lane, you take the bike lane to the
intersection. The vehicle turning must wait for anyone in the bike lane
to pass before turning. Your speed is not really a factor, they have to
wait for pedestrians too.
If there is no bike lane, you ride like you are a vehicle. Pull up
behind the last vehicle there, whether or not they are turning. Go
through the intersection as if you were a car. Then go to the right side
of the road after exiting the intersection.
If you are looking to turn left, you ride like you are a vehicle and go
in the left turn lane behind the last vehicle. Then go to the right side
of the road after exiting the intersection.
If that is too scary you might need to plan a route that only has right
turns and straight throughs, or you could become a pedestrian at the
intersection by dismounting the bike and using the cross walks like a
pedestrian.
I would assume that you do not ride on sidewalks at all unless there is
a sign indicating it is ok, like a boardwalk or something.
You could always walk your bike.
I am from Bend so things might be different over there.
Is that right everyone?
----- Original Message -----
From: George de Randich
To: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2006 11:34 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] I would like some informationon Oregon /
WashingtonTraffic requlations for bicycles & tricycles
Please understand that I'm a re-tread to bicycling and
tricycling.
Given those facts can you answer these questions:
1.
Given that I am a very slow 3 wheeler. Is it
appropriate for me to yield the right of way to turning motovehicles
that have reached the stop light before me!
2.
When must I drive my bicycle / tricycle on the side walk
and provided that there is no posted prohibition, when am I prevented
from driving on said sidewalk?
Thank you very much for your information!
627 miles on the odometer since April,
George de Randich,
Longview, Washington
________________________________
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