Bicyclists on 30A

OK, avoid hugging the shoulder, sounds reasonable. However, one would have to be insane to try to pass bikes in Seaside where I took the picture. Murphy's law would have been the lady furthest outside would have turned in front of me or a kid would have come rocketing out of the sidewalk by the Pizza Bar into my path. Either way, I am thinking I am the one who would have gotten the gift of a vehicular homicide charge on Christmas Eve. As I have said, the majority of bicyclists on 30-A are very courteous but it only takes a few knuckleheads like the ones I photographed to get the vitriol rumbling on this forum.

Agreed. But then that's a relatively short distance in a 25 MPH zone. And yes people as a rule are self-centered, impolite and inconsiderate. These traits are just more dangerous behind the wheel than on a bike. Commuting 20 years in the NYC metro area has taught me that road rage is never an answer. Take a deep breath and enjoy the day in spite of them.

Here's a question I've always had...

Is it legal to pass a bicycle if you have a solid yellow line? A strict reading of the law would seem to indicate the answer is 'no', which would make passing cyclists illegal on most of 30-A.

I believe the following is an adequate albeit ambiguous answer. It's clear about an 18 MPH bike in a 45 MPH zone. What do you do in a 25 MPH zone behind that same bike?


Overtaking and Passing a Vehicle
(Sections 316.083, 316.085, F.S.)

The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. A driver overtaking a bicycle must maintain a horizontal clearance of at least 3 feet [?316.083]. Three feet is a minimum "safe distance" for passing a cyclist under typical urban conditions; when the passing vehicle is large, towing a trailer, or traveling at much higher speed, greater lateral clearance is needed.

To pass a cyclist with safe clearance, it may be necessary for a motorist to enter (at least partially) the next lane, when and where it is safe to do so.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit passing to be made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. In every event an overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle [?316.085].

The Double Yellow Line: The prohibition of passing in a no-passing zone does not apply when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway [?316.0875(3)]. Thus, when a cyclist is traveling so slowly as to constitute an "obstruction," a motorist may cross the center line in a no-passing zone to pass the cyclist if the way is clear to do so, i.e., when it can be seen that any oncoming traffic is far enough ahead that the motorist could finish passing before coming within 200 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Thanks for the info. A little ambiguous, but not too much. Most of the time, the 25 mph zones are going to be someplace I wouldn't attempt passing anyway (such as 'downtown' Seaside) so it hopefully won't be much of an issue.

I for one am willing to be courteous to cyclists on the road and give them their space and follow behind, below the speed limit, until there is room to pass them safely, for I have no desire to injure someone due to their bad behavior.

However I would really like a cyclist to explain to me why some, and most I have ever seen; do not observe the rules of stop signs.

If I am in my car and traffic is heavy and I am in a line of cars waiting to move up to the stop sign, the cyclists will not wait in line with the cars.

Instead, to me they do something very dangerous, and that is squeeze past the cars on the right side, then blow the stop sign.

Sorry but after that type of behavior they lost the respect of others.

So cyclists do you wait in the long line with vehicles at stops signs and traffic lights or do you keep moving?

I for one am willing to be courteous to cyclists on the road and give them their space and follow behind, below the speed limit, until there is room to pass them safely, for I have no desire to injure someone due to their bad behavior.

However I would really like a cyclist to explain to me why some, and most I have ever seen; do not observe the rules of stop signs.

If I am in my car and traffic is heavy and I am in a line of cars waiting to move up to the stop sign, the cyclists will not wait in line with the cars.

Instead, to me they do something very dangerous, and that is squeeze past the cars on the right side, then blow the stop sign.

Sorry but after that type of behavior they lost the respect of others.

So cyclists do you wait in the long line with vehicles at stops signs and traffic lights or do you keep moving?

If a cyclist can safely pass a line of stopped motor vehicles why should the cyclist wait. Would you expect a pedestrian to wait until all the cars have cleared the intersection. That cyclist can just as easily and legally (unless prohibited by the local laws) ride on the sidewalk to the stop sign. The fact that some do not observe the stop sign is unexplainable, some cars don't and some pedestrians don't look before crossing. Go figure.

Many cyclists will roll through stop signs, only suicidal ones "blow"" through stop signs. I believe the Law of Natural Selection weeds them out early.

Your comment about waiting in line could just as easily be asked of the motorist who finds himself behind a bicycle with legal right to be on the road. Why doesn't the car wait?

If you are asking about the stop sign at the intersection of 395 and 30A what is dangerous about passing a stopped line of cars. You would do it in your car if you could fit.

If a cyclist can safely pass a line of stopped motor vehicles why should the cyclist wait. Would you expect a pedestrian to wait until all the cars have cleared the intersection. That cyclist can just as easily and legally (unless prohibited by the local laws) ride on the sidewalk to the stop sign. The fact that some do not observe the stop sign is unexplainable, some cars don't and some pedestrians don't look before crossing. Go figure.

Many cyclists will roll through stop signs, only suicidal ones "blow"" through stop signs. I believe the Law of Natural Selection weeds them out early.

Your comment about waiting in line could just as easily be asked of the motorist who finds himself behind a bicycle with legal right to be on the road. Why doesn't the car wait?

If you are asking about the stop sign at the intersection of 395 and 30A what is dangerous about passing a stopped line of cars. You would do it in your car if you could fit.

Actually no I would not do it.

Also I seriously doubt a pedestrian is going to walk down 30A holding up vehicle traffic or endangering someone in the crosswalk, which is what this tread is about.

I think if cyclists want motorists to respect them on the road they need to follow the same procedures and laws and that does not mean taking to the side of the road, or sidewalk or bike path to move ahead of cars in line for a stop sign.

If a cyclist can safely pass a line of stopped motor vehicles why should the cyclist wait. Would you expect a pedestrian to wait until all the cars have cleared the intersection. That cyclist can just as easily and legally (unless prohibited by the local laws) ride on the sidewalk to the stop sign. The fact that some do not observe the stop sign is unexplainable, some cars don't and some pedestrians don't look before crossing. Go figure.

Many cyclists will roll through stop signs, only suicidal ones "blow"" through stop signs. I believe the Law of Natural Selection weeds them out early.

Your comment about waiting in line could just as easily be asked of the motorist who finds himself behind a bicycle with legal right to be on the road. Why doesn't the car wait?

If you are asking about the stop sign at the intersection of 395 and 30A what is dangerous about passing a stopped line of cars. You would do it in your car if you could fit.

i would expect you to stop at a stop sign. at a four way intersection, cyclists rolling through the sign impedes everyone but the cyclist. at a two way, cyclists are more likely to hit a turning vehicle if they do not stop. your thinking is part of the problemo, senor spandexio.

your thinking is part of the problemo, senor spandexio.

:roll:

You are supposed to stop at a stop sign.

Don't know how to say it any plainer - whether you are on a bike or in a car, you are supposed to come to a full and complete STOP behind the white line (or the sign if there is no white line).

If everyone actually followed that SIMPLE and BASIC rule we'd all be alot happier and safer!

i would expect you to stop at a stop sign. at a four way intersection, cyclists rolling through the sign impedes everyone but the cyclist. at a two way, cyclists are more likely to hit a turning vehicle if they do not stop. your thinking is part of the problemo, senor spandexio.

El elastico, es muy fantastico!

I am a violator of not always coming to a complete stop. But, I watch and of course if there are other vehicles at the intersection, then I stop. I absolutely stop if there are bicyclists......because they don't always pay attention.

Please understand that "hugging the shoulder" is dangerous to a cyclist. This encourages vehicles to pass without leaving adequate separation and leaves little space for the cyclist to avoid road hazards. Also please see the posting about legally riding two abreast. It is actually safer for the motor vehicle and cyclist because it reduces the time the motor vehicle needs to be over the double yellow line while passing.

While I see no reason these three should have been spread entirely across the road, (unless they were beginning a left hand turn), I also see no hint of oncoming traffic. The law allows you to cross the double yellow to pass when conditions are safe.

Well said.

I've been hit once while on the bike path from a car. It's often too crowded on the path and it's certainly not a path for a road bike. Sorry for all these fatasses who cry about being behind a bike on any road. Again We have a right to 3 ft of every roadway. Whether you like it or not. I'm staying on the road since it pisses off so many people.

That just doesn't sound sincere.

The slow speed roll through a stop sign from cyclists on road bikes frequently comes because they're using pedals that physically attach their shoes to the bike, and they want to avoid the dread zero speed fallover crash you get if you go to a dead stop and then can't get unclipped shoes in time to get a foot down.

Just to explain the logic there, and not to excuse it.

The slow speed roll through a stop sign from cyclists on road bikes frequently comes because they're using pedals that physically attach their shoes to the bike, and they want to avoid the dread zero speed fallover crash you get if you go to a dead stop and then can't get unclipped shoes in time to get a foot down.

Just to explain the logic there, and not to excuse it.

Well that does not sound very safe, what happens if they need to stop, for say a person in the cross walk.

Well that does not sound very safe, what happens if they need to stop, for say a person in the cross walk.

Well ........................ based on the initial post that started this whole thing (and was then erased when they found out what a can of worms it was) they scream at the pedestrians to get out of their way! :roll:

The slow speed roll through a stop sign from cyclists on road bikes frequently comes because they're using pedals that physically attach their shoes to the bike, and they want to avoid the dread zero speed fallover crash you get if you go to a dead stop and then can't get unclipped shoes in time to get a foot down.

Just to explain the logic there, and not to excuse it.

So then they have faulty equipment and shouldn't be on the road anyway.

Well ........................ based on the initial post that started this whole thing (and was then erased when they found out what a can of worms it was) they scream at the pedestrians to get out of their way! :roll:

Hhhmmmm, screamers~

I knew someone who always screamed at her animals. Knew someone else who always screamed at her children.

I have screamed.....'hell hath no fury' kinda' thang. It hurts my throat - definitely not worth it.

I have been entertained by this entire thread not knowing what the original post was. Now I know......anticlimactic.

So then they have faulty equipment and shouldn't be on the road anyway.

Thank You!

Just to be a lil' pot stirrer, there is absolutely no reason why someone on a bicycle cannot ride at a safe pace, letting cars pass if they are impeding the flow of traffic, obeying all the traffic laws & signage, and without incident on 30-A (or the path, or other Sowal roads).

Amazingly I have logged hundreds of miles on the Scootercycle and never had a problem with motorists singling me out for abuse (though I have almost been run over many a time and returned the favor while behind the wheel).

Agreed. But then that's a relatively short distance in a 25 MPH zone. And yes people as a rule are self-centered, impolite and inconsiderate. These traits are just more dangerous behind the wheel than on a bike. Commuting 20 years in the NYC metro area has taught me that road rage is never an answer. Take a deep breath and enjoy the day in spite of them.

As a full time resident here, I assure you, I grin and suffer fools on a very regular basis. You might also look to see on my post with the photo how 'short' the distance involved was.

Just to be a lil' pot stirrer, there is absolutely no reason why someone on a bicycle cannot ride at a safe pace, letting cars pass if they are impeding the flow of traffic, obeying all the traffic laws & signage, and without incident on 30-A (or the path, or other Sowal roads).

Amazingly I have logged hundreds of miles on the Scootercycle and never had a problem with motorists singling me out for abuse (though I have almost been run over many a time and returned the favor while behind the wheel).

Let me be a little pot stirrer too!

I would prefer that any bike riders that are on exercise missions to stick to the road and please leave the bike path to walkers, joggers, children, and people moseying along on beach cruiser bikes, or in my mom's case, big trikes. By the time you Riverotter* types ring your bell or shout "on your left", you have already blown past us, and I have lost count of how many times I have almost been taken out on the 30A bike path by bike riders pretending be in training for the Tour de France. I am starting to think that the bike path is more dangerous that the road!

*RO- you are now the Lance Armstrong of 30A. Represent your team well.

Let me be a little pot stirrer too!

I would prefer that any bike riders that are on exercise missions to stick to the road and please leave the bike path to walkers, joggers, children, and people moseying along on beach cruiser bikes, or in my mom's case, big trikes. By the time you Riverotter* types ring your bell or shout "on your left", you have already blown past us, and I have lost count of how many times I have almost been taken out on the 30A bike path by bike riders pretending be in training for the Tour de France. I am starting to think that the bike path is more dangerous that the road!

*RO- you are now the Lance Armstrong of 30A. Represent your team well.

Live stong

Live stong

Is "stong" some sort of biker thong?

That's funny!