[SDCBC] Jamacha Blvd issues

[Gene Carman]

Serge, the sad thing is:

>Most MOTORISTS are also unaware that in most states the "cyclists 
>must keep right" rule does not apply when the lane is too narrow to 
>be safely shared by a car and bike side by side.  CA law does not 
>specify what "too close" is, but states and European countries that 
>do almost universally use 3 feet or 1 meter, so that's a reasonable 
>number to use.  Now, motor vehicles range from about 5' to 8.5' (max 
>legal limit), so any lane that is 14' or narrower is arguably too 
>narrow to safely fit a car and bike fully within it side by side, 
>and the keep right law (CVC 21202) does not apply.  Even if the, 
>say, 7' wide (outside edge of side mirror to outside edge) car moves 
>all the way to the left edge, in a 14' wide lane that leaves only 7' 
>for the 3' buffer in between, the 2' wide cyclist, plus 2 more feet 
>on the right side of the cyclist, arguably a bare minimum.   If the 
>vehicle is any wider, or the cyclist requires more than 2' to his 
>right, then even 14' is not wide enough.  If the lane is narrower, 
>than it's definitely not sharable except maybe with the smallest cars.


So while it may be legally acceptable to ride in the middle of a 
narrow lane, on a busy road, you will likely encounter harassment 
from motorists.

While I applaud SDCBC for their LAB program...  most cyclists are 
also drivers...  so the very knowledge you state that most cyclists 
are not aware of, that should have been learned in a proper driver 
training program, is apparently missing.

Perhaps a few "Cyclists May Use Full Lane" signs might remind 
motorists of the aforementioned rights, and the responsibilities of 
other users of the road.

And along the way, perhaps notifying one of the local media 
"troubleshooters" about the long term issues of the Blvd might invoke 
some action.   4 years...  what in the world are they building???