[SDCBC] Pulled over for "taking the lane"

[Mary Winn]

This morning, I was pulled over by a motorcycle police officer at the  
corner of University and Idaho (I should mention he was polite and  
friendly).  He informed me and my partner that it is against the law  
to take over the lane and that we must ride as far to the right as  
possible, even if this means there is a chance of getting hit by a car  
door.  I wanted to inform the SDCBC because the officer appeared to be  
aware of the coalition and their efforts, even though I did not  
mention the coalition.  I have been riding this section of University  
this way before I heard about the coalition and I will continue to  
ride this section of University in the same way.  But I assume the  
officer believed us to be instructed by the coalition to ride in this  
manner.

The area in which we were "taking the lane" happens to be a very  
narrow section of University between 30th and Idaho.  There is barely  
enough room for 4 cars plus parallel parked cars on both sides of the  
road.  Add some pot holes and uneven pavement.  In order to avoid such  
conditions, it is necessary to move to the left and "take the lane"  
for a short distance before returning right of center.  As I was  
unaware of the exact wording of the law and I did not want to miss my  
bus, I did not argue with the officer.  Clearly, it was in my rights  
to move to the center of the lane, as stated by California Law.   
Perhaps, I will start carrying them with me should an incident like  
this occur again.

Is this a regular occurrence in San Diego?  If so, how have people  
dealt with such matters before?

~Mary

Duty of Bicycle Operator: Operation On Roadway. VC 21202
a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than  
the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time  
shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of  
the roadway except under any of the following situations:

When overtaking and passing another bicycle or motor vehicle  
proceeding in the same direction.
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private  
road or driveway.
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not  
limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians,  
animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it  
unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of  
this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow  
for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the  
lane.



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