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I put this together for Mack, responding to a question to CBC, and
thought it's probably worth copying to the SDCBC list, FYI and reminder
that "roads are for people, not only for people in
cars."<br><br>
<font color="#010158"><i>-------Original Message-------<br>
<b>From:</i></b> <a href="mailto:mlundstrom@casa.sjsu.edu">Mack
L</a><br>
<b><i>Date:</i></b> 3/6/2007 2:55:59 PM<br>
<b><i>To:</i></b>
<a href="mailto:info@bikelink.com">info@bikelink.com</a><br>
<b><i>Subject:</i></b> Rules of the road<br>
<br>
I'm a CBC member and have commuted to work daily in San Jose since 1970.
I<br>
ride a road bike most days, but I have a Bike Friday with trailer and
on<br>
weekends I get my groceries with it. My routes in both instances
include<br>
some relatively heavily traveled thoroughfares with two lanes each way
plus<br>
separate left-turn lanes, sometimes with market bike lanes, sometimes
not.<br>
<br>
With Bike Friday and trailer, I was recently stopped in a left-turn lane
by<br>
a nonuniformed man in a police van who told me to bet back on the
sidewalk.<br>
I acted incredulously at the sidewalk comment, and he told me I was in
a<br>
driving lane and he would cite me if I didn't comply. I didn't tempt
him.<br>
<br>
I recently was yelled at both with the Bike Friday and my road bike when
I<br>
used a left-turn lane.<br>
<br>
I've looked at the DMV test booklet and see nothing that would prevent
me<br>
from using those lanes. Am I wrong?<br>
<br>
Mack L.<br><br>
</font>To: "Mack L<br><br>
The person(s) who directed or suggested that you are not allowed to
bicycle and/or to tow a bike trailer in normal traffic lanes was in
error... though the error in understanding California vehicle laws
relating to bicycling in with traffic is unfortunately widespread.
Legally operated bicycling belongs most appropriately on-road with other
traffic, not on sidewalks. In many cities, in recognition of the
potential dangers, it's even illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk.
<br><br>
Here below is the Calif Veh Code section on the rights of bicyclists.
Notice bicyclists have the same rights as a driver of a vehicle.
<br><br>
I am also attaching a file compilation of CVC that have special interest
to bicyclists. Enjoy. [The list-server will likely not carry the
attachment. If you'd like a copy of the file, just ask.]<br><br>
Short of carrying a copy of the (whole) CVC, I have had little success at
educating ill informed motorists while out there on the road. Maybe a
polite note/letter to the appropriate law enforcement agency would get
the info to the officer?<br><br>
<b><u>Operation of Bicycles on California Roadways <br>
21200.</u></b> (a) <u>Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has
all the rights and is subject to all the</u> <u>provisions applicable to
the driver of a vehicle</u> by this division, including, but not limited
to, provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic
beverages or drugs, and by Division 10 (commencing with Section 20000),
Section 27400, Division 16.7 (commencing with Section 39000), Division 17
(commencing with Section 40000.1), and Division 18 (commencing with
Section 42000), except those provisions which by their very nature can
have no application. (b) (1) Any peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5
(commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code,
operating a bicycle during the course of his or her duties is exempt from
the requirements of subdivision (a), except as those requirements relate
to driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, if the
bicycle is being operated under any of the following circumstances:<br>
(A) In response to an emergency call.<br>
(B) While engaged in rescue operations.<br>
(C) In the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected
violator of the law.<br>
(2) This subdivision does not relieve a peace officer from
the duty to operate a bicycle with due regard for the safety of all
persons using the highway.<br><br>
Thanks for asking.<br>
<font color="#010158">Jim Baross<br>
San Diego, California<br><br>
Chair, SANDAG Bicycle Pedestrian Working Group<br>
Vice Chair, Calif. Bicycle Advisory Committee<br>
President, Calif. Association of Bicycle Organizations <br>
Board Member, Calif. Bicycle Coalition<br>
Chair, Calif. Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Bicycling Safety<br>
Spokesperson, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition<br>
League Trainer & Effective Cycling Instructor #185 K-C<br><br>
"Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on our public
roads, just as does every other user. <br>
Nothing more is expected. Nothing less is acceptable."<br>
Jack R. Taylor<br><br>
"Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of
vehicles."<br>
John Forester <br><br>
"Same Roads Same Rules Same Rights"<br>
SDCBC<br><br>
"Roads are for people, not just for people in cars."<br>
Jim Baross</font> <br>
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