[SDCBC] Well it looks like I am not the only one...

[mark wolfe]

This was why I was pulled over last year on Mast Blvd in Santee by some 
deputy.   That street has a 3 foot bike lane next to parked cars, and a 
9 foot travel lane.  The other lane is like 12 foot.  40mph zone.   For 
some reason since no one has been seriously maimed or killed by riding a 
bike there, the City of Santee thinks it's "safe."   I routinely take 
the center of the lane to force traffic to pass in the left lane when I 
go through that 4 or so block section of Mast Blvd.  Got pulled over for 
not getting in the bike lane, when I pointed out the door zone, the 
narrow lane, and that I had the choice of "door, mirror, or take the 
lane" I was going to take the lane every time.  It ended with a "Be 
safe."  I've pointed this out to Santee a few times, and they ignore it 
since no one's been killed.   So, with that said, it looks like they're 
getting ready to repave that section, so maybe it's time for new markings.

Mark


Serge Issakov wrote:
> Tom,
> 
> I'm not familiar with that particular road, but I have a hard time believing
> it could be significantly more challenging or appear be significantly more
> dangerous than many of the high speed arterials with narrow outside lanes in
> San Diego (including La Jolla Village Drive which is on my commute).
> 
> I don't know of any studies that indicate roads with narrow outside lanes
> are any more dangerous to cyclists than roads with additional width, but
> even if it's true, I suspect the added danger is relatively small, and could
> easily be mitigated with cyclist behavior.
> 
> Most cyclists are 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.
> 
> That means you can legally ride near the center, including as far left as
> the left tire track, which may be appropriate depending on the situation, of
> the rightmost narrow lane on Jamacha Blvd, requiring faster traffic
> approaching from behind to slow down and change lanes to pass you.  Being
> that far out lets them notice you sooner, and realize with still plenty of
> time and space that they will have to adjust to pass you.  What might be
> unsafe is to right further right, thus inviting them to squeeze in next to
> you in a lane too narrow to do that safely.  This is what we teach in the
> LAB classes, and even folks with decades of riding experience seem to find
> that this approach is new, different, and, dare I say, liberating.
> 
> Serge