johnfforbes@comcast.net

However, there is no reason any group of cyclists can't ride single file up
to the tunnels, take the bypass for each and continue single file. Why is
there any need for riding there more than single file? While ego dictates
someone "win' safety and etiquette demand an approach that works for all,
cyclists and motorists alike.

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

-----Original message-----
From: Steve Brown
To: Arlo
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Fri, Nov 11, 2011 17:56:48 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Lawyer Ride

Sometimes bikes are traffic. It is one of the hardest concepts for non
cycling driver to comprehend. Wait for a signal 20 cars deep for 90 seconds
and it is called traffic. Wait to pass a bicycle for 30 seconds and some
people are ready to go postal. Would certainly like to see some PSA's about
bikes being traffic and the drivers manual address the concept.

Steve Brown
On Nov 11, 2011, at 9:48 AM, Arlo wrote:

> That happens often right before the first tunnel. If we did get single
file we would present a 300 meter long line which would be quite an obstacle
to pass in a car because the road is very narrow in that area. If a
motorist did try to pass 40 bikes in a row in that area there could be a
real problem with oncoming traffic moving downhill towards them. We have
had cars dart into the group to avoid downhill traffic. When I pass a bike
in my car on a tight 2 lane road I wait for zero oncoming traffic and then
go wide like when I pass a slower car or "obstruction." If the obstruction
is too long for me to see a safe passing window I wait a few seconds till
the situation changes. As soon as the L ride gets to the tunnel the cars
are free to go. So in this situation isn't it reasonable, and safer, for us
to occupy a lane for 90 seconds once a week instead of inviting a car to
attempt passing 40 bikes lined up in a row on that tight 2 lane road?
>
> Other than that uphill area, the only other places the Lawyer ride takes
up the road is when we are going very near the speed limit. (usually
downhill or downtown)
>
> I'm not implying that we always follow all the rules, and I usually stay
right to let cars pass. However I think on that stretch right before the
tunnel it's probably not safe for the cars to attempt a pass. Arlo
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Steve Brown

Sometimes bikes are traffic. It is one of the hardest concepts for non cycling driver to comprehend. Wait for a signal 20 cars deep for 90 seconds and it is called traffic. Wait to pass a bicycle for 30 seconds and some people are ready to go postal. Would certainly like to see some PSA's about bikes being traffic and the drivers manual address the concept.

Steve Brown
On Nov 11, 2011, at 9:48 AM, Arlo wrote:

> That happens often right before the first tunnel. If we did get single file we would present a 300 meter long line which would be quite an obstacle to pass in a car because the road is very narrow in that area. If a motorist did try to pass 40 bikes in a row in that area there could be a real problem with oncoming traffic moving downhill towards them. We have had cars dart into the group to avoid downhill traffic. When I pass a bike in my car on a tight 2 lane road I wait for zero oncoming traffic and then go wide like when I pass a slower car or "obstruction." If the obstruction is too long for me to see a safe passing window I wait a few seconds till the situation changes. As soon as the L ride gets to the tunnel the cars are free to go. So in this situation isn't it reasonable, and safer, for us to occupy a lane for 90 seconds once a week instead of inviting a car to attempt passing 40 bikes lined up in a row on that tight 2 lane road?
>
> Other than that uphill area, the only other places the Lawyer ride takes up the road is when we are going very near the speed limit. (usually downhill or downtown)
>
> I'm not implying that we always follow all the rules, and I usually stay right to let cars pass. However I think on that stretch right before the tunnel it's probably not safe for the cars to attempt a pass. Arlo
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>

Arlo

That happens often right before the first tunnel. If we did get single file we would present a 300 meter long line which would be quite an obstacle to pass in a car because the road is very narrow in that area. If a motorist did try to pass 40 bikes in a row in that area there could be a real problem with oncoming traffic moving downhill towards them. We have had cars dart into the group to avoid downhill traffic. When I pass a bike in my car on a tight 2 lane road I wait for zero oncoming traffic and then go wide like when I pass a slower car or "obstruction." If the obstruction is too long for me to see a safe passing window I wait a few seconds till the situation changes. As soon as the L ride gets to the tunnel the cars are free to go. So in this situation isn't it reasonable, and safer, for us to occupy a lane for 90 seconds once a week instead of inviting a car to attempt passing 40 bikes lined up in a row on that tight 2 lane road?

Other than that uphill area, the only other places the Lawyer ride takes up the road is when we are going very near the speed limit. (usually downhill or downtown)

I'm not implying that we always follow all the rules, and I usually stay right to let cars pass. However I think on that stretch right before the tunnel it's probably not safe for the cars to attempt a pass. Arlo

Larry Chow

Not just today. Have seen many cars backed up behind the lawer ride on multiple occasions with riders riding 2, 3, 4 abreast and not moving over to allow traffic to pass.

Funny, this happened on the lawyer ride today, no matter what was said by
fellow cyclists. Not sure why people do that.

On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 1:53 PM, Troy Sexton wrote:

> Kinda. What peaved most people were cyclists being jerks and not moving
> single file when approached from behind, or huge groups riding single file
> making it difficult for cars to pass.
>
> My impression was that the neighbors felt that we weren't sharing the road
> enough. I get that. Most of them were really reasonable in their approach
> too.
>