Guess DPF prevents this

[Reb954]

I'm assuming they still apply but back in the day when I ran truck cranes the various states had regulations on the books that stated any slow moving traffic, regardless of whether it was a bicycle or whatever, had to allow traffic to get by if there were 3 or more vehicles behind it.

My normal practice was if I had even one vehicle behind me I would do my best to get it around me. Sometimes I could pull off the road, other times I may be able to pull over as much as possible then slow down so the vehicle could get around. My experience was people get impatient so they do things that wasn't in their best interest.

 

[Grumpycat]

Only one problem with your cars don't own the road comment CARS and TRUCKS PAY for the road something NO bike ever has! Your bike has NEVER paid $1400 a year in license fees like my truck does every year for about a thousand miles of use!

The so-called leaders you elected wrote the rules giving bicycles and horses and tractors full rights to public roads at no cost.

The “Share The Road” signs are not saying you can take half the bicyclist’s lane, it is saying the entire lane belongs to the bicycle.

 

[buck12]

Only one problem with your cars don't own the road comment CARS and TRUCKS PAY for the road something NO bike ever has! Your bike has NEVER paid $1400 a year in license fees like my truck does every year for about a thousand miles of use!

Given that argument, tractors also don稚 pay for the roads either but most of us operate our tractors on the road at least some. I don稚 bike but I am a runner and the vast majority of people are decent but there are a few jerks on the road.

 

[John_Mc]

What they deserved? Sounds like everybody was a jerk.

Bike have just as much right to take up the full lane and drive 15mph just like a tractor or Amish buggy does.
If they (bike, tractor or buggy) CHOSE to move over, as a courtesy, and at THEIR discretion, and let other traffic go by then everybody goes about their day with lower blood pressure.
...but none of these slower vehicles have to.

Nope. That rule varies by state.

 

[John_Mc]

Your world is also other people痴.
Unfortunately we now live in a world where everybody carries a camera and film every moment.
Contrary to popular belief cars don稚 own the road. Bikes have just as much right to them, and like horses and buggies, they were using roads before cars ever came along.
I bike a bit, and always stay to the extreme right, unless there痴 a car in the oncoming lane and one approaching from behind at the same time.
I値l be danged if we are going ? wide on a road with minimal shoulders. This is when I claim the lane, as is my right, and force the car behind to slow down then immediately return to the shoulder when they can safely pass me. Funny how enraged drivers will get for that 5 seconds of time you forced them to obey the Law.

That's basically what the rules are here in VT. Bike can "own the lane" when there is a legitimate reason to do so (such as "unsafe to ride on the right side"). They are expected to pull back to the right side when it is safe to do so. Cars passing bicycles are expected to give them at least 3 feet of space between the vehicle and the bicycle when passing them. When I pass bicycles, I wait behind them until it is safe to give them the whole lane.

From the Vermont statutes 23 V.S.A. ｧ 1139

Bicyclists generally shall ride as near to the right side of the improved area of the highway right-of-way as is safe

May ride to the left or in a left lane when taking reasonably necessary precautions to avoid hazards or road conditions. Examples include objects on the road, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface conditions that may impair the bicyclist's stability, or safety hazards caused by a narrow road or steep embankment, road geometry, or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.

Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or except as otherwise permitted by the Commissioner of Public Safety in connection with a public sporting event in which case the Commissioner shall be authorized to adopt such rules as the public good requires. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

One description of Vermont's laws that I came across claimed "Like every other state, in Vermont, cyclists must ride as far to the right as possible..." [emphasis added]. I have not researched whether this is in fact true (and frankly don;t care to spend the time doing so).

Yes, bicycles have every right to be on the roads. Bicyclists also have the responsibility to know and follow the applicable laws . However, coming across a bicyclist who is not following all of the rules is no excuse for beig a jerk or not following the laws yourself.

[Climbs down off soapbox...]

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
We have that same 3 foot rule here, for pedestrians as well as bicyclists. JMHO but that’s not enough when you are traveling at 55 mph. I slow down and give them most of the lane, although my right tires generally don’t cross the centerline.

 

[K5lwq]

In my life whatever is bigger wins! I yield to big trucks and farm tractors the same because I don't want them to flatten me. I don't bike, but if I did, cars would win because they are bigger.

I don't rely on others to watch out for me in anything I do. I am responsible for my safety regardless of what the law or anyone else says.

 

[CobyRupert]

In my life whatever is bigger wins!...

“Ok boom.....” err, I mean “Ok. Tex!”
Of course you do! Isn’t that a requirement for state citizenship? Lol.
I’m joking of course. It is true being right is one thing, but being dead right is another.

 

[mtsman2]

Only one problem with your cars don't own the road comment CARS and TRUCKS PAY for the road something NO bike ever has! Your bike has NEVER paid $1400 a year in license fees like my truck does every year for about a thousand miles of use!

Another absolutely correct! NEVER paid a fee and both you and I have equal opportunity to use it. Its FREAKIN' AWESOME!...millions of miles of roads to use for free, no fees, nada, zilch, zero. Some days I bike to work. If I ride in alot I save enough in gas to buy GOOD whiskey.

I am extremely considerate of giving cars/motorized vehicles plenty of room to overtake me. then about 1/2 of the time I catch up to them at the next redlight. :laughing: Had not been hit by a car since 2012 and was doing good. But then last year one got me good. 17 stitches in my upper lip. Thanks Lady who could barely even speak english and did not have a valid license.

Did you really just say 'bikes should not be on the road because they don't pay fees'? Just think about that for minute.
Maybe you should consider all the taxes/fees that you pay for items/programs which you don't use and will never be able to use.

Maybe you should bike more to take advantage of something that has no taxes/has fees/etc?....

Sorry OP, I won't post another off topic.

 

[nova3930]

In my life whatever is bigger wins! I yield to big trucks and farm tractors the same because I don't want them to flatten me. I don't bike, but if I did, cars would win because they are bigger.

I don't rely on others to watch out for me in anything I do. I am responsible for my safety regardless of what the law or anyone else says.

It's kinda like saying pedestrians have the right of way. As a legal matter, probably correct. As a practical matter, there's a world of hurt in it for the pedestrian if the car doesn't agree at that time....

 

[Jstpssng]

It's kinda like saying pedestrians have the right of way. As a legal matter, probably correct. As a practical matter, there's a world of hurt in it for the pedestrian if the car doesn't agree at that time....

Now you're talking about a different law... that annoying law of physics which states that two solid objects can't occupy the same space at the same time.

 

[Diggin It]

Roads and crosswalks are one thing. But in a parking lot when I'm trying to back into or out of a parking space, a person can see my car a WHOLE lot easier than I can see them.

 

[finn1]

Now you're talking about a different law... that annoying law of physics which states that two solid objects can't occupy the same space at the same time.

The legal system provides a remedy. May not help the injured or deceased pedestrian, but at least provides compensation for hid heirs.

 

[Cougsfan]

I belong to a Dodge Diesel forum. Every once in a while there will be a post by some idiot asking "what do I do to make my truck blow black smoke?" Makes me cringe to think that some people think this is cool and to know that some people are this stupid.

 

[nova3930]

I belong to a Dodge Diesel forum. Every once in a while there will be a post by some idiot asking "what do I do to make my truck blow black smoke?" Makes me cringe to think that some people think this is cool and to know that some people are this stupid.

I suppose that makes sense, if you either have more money that sense or are operating on someone else's dime. Even with the recent drop, diesel is still too expensive to turn into smoke IMO. Fuel not turned in HP is wasted....

 

[powerscol]

I have a friend that runs a Dodge Cummings. He has just about every power mod that you can think of. At full tune and full fueling he is close to 850HP. He also hates bicycles not riding per the law (single file too allow traffic buy - traffic (him) to give 3' clearance when passing). Was riding with him the other day to help a friend move and ran into the cycle club riding on mass not letting folks buy (going uphill). just before he had a chance to pass I saw him fiddle with the tuner, etc. Then he hit the air horns and pulled out to pas safely - except for the huge cloud of exhaust smoke blowing towards the shoulder. His truck is Fast, and I mean fast. Got around in a few seconds (safely), but you could not see behind us.

On the way back they were still trying to climb the hill but were single file this time with a cop trailing them.

Was it right - probably not.

 

[Richard]

In my life whatever is bigger wins! I yield to big trucks and farm tractors the same because I don't want them to flatten me. I don't bike, but if I did, cars would win because they are bigger.

You are not alone with this opinion.

I live on a dead end road, about 2 miles long. I am THE last house. Road (paved part) is about 12' wide so it's just a little country dead end gravel road that they finally put pavement on.

I used to drive a Miata....nice & tiny car. We get a lot of rednecks and in general punks out here (lots of woods for drugs, drinking, other...)

Only 6 houses out here so I know all neighbors and their vehicles.

Not "here and then" but rather, as a matter of 4 times a week, I'd be driving up/down my road and someone (usually a younger kid) driving his truck, down the middle of the road, no sign caring that there are two vehicles approaching each other. Essentially, forcing me 100% of the time for ME to pull off into the shoulder (with some dropoff's to creeks, rough terrain other....and in other places, plenty of room)

Anyway, I got sick & tired of being pushed off the road I live on by people in general being rude.

Then, I bought my industrial backhoe. Remember, my road is about 12' wide. Loader bucket is 8' wide. Now, when I drive down road in my backhoe (the road boarders our land for about 3/4 mile) I come across said truck who's just coming at me waiting for me again, to move over..... Well.... if "size makes right" and I have to move my Miata for their big bad truck..... now, it's MY turn as I'm in the 18,000 pound backhoe

We come face to face.....I slow down.....I stop. I am NOT going to move. We wait.....they stare at me....I wait, maybe shrug my shoulders..... after all, I'm "at home" and can wait here all day, I'm not going anywere.

They finally toss it into reverse and make their turn to the dirt, mud whatever to get where they want to go.

They've done this to me for 20+ years with zero respect so today, if I'm in the backhoe, I do not "back down" for anyone. I don't care who they are, but THEY are the ones who are going to pull off the road, back up, do whatever they need to do.

I dont like it but it would be so much better if everyone had respect.