[DVBC] Safety Question

[Dave Hartrum]

You need to behave in traffic as if you were a car. Actually you should keep your place in line and not creep up on the right of stopped cars. That's the theory. I would also suggest taking the middle of the lane so cars don't get the idea they should pass you at the light either.

Now the reality. Sure I pass lines of cars on the right. But when I do I consider it at my own accepted risk. I keep a close eye for turn signals or signs someone plans to go right. If they are then I stay behind that car. If I pass on right and get run off road by a right turning car I consider it my own bad decision and will suffer the outcome. 
 
On Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at 10:14AM, Chaga, Debra <Debra.Chaga at ssa.gov> wrote:

>I have a question that came to mind on Vera's Tuesday night ride last
>week which maybe someone out there can answer.  I bet that I'm not the
>only one who isn't sure of this rule and some others.
>
>What exactly are the "rules" for bicyclists when you come to a red light
>at an intersection?  Are the cyclists allowed to come up as far as they
>can on the right side and ride past the cars in line?  What if the cars
>are going to turn right and your going straight?  Or, are cyclists
>supposed to wait behind the cars in line.  No one has ever told me this.
>
>On the ride I mentioned, there were a whole string of cyclists who were
>alongside a whole string of cars.  The first 4 or 5 riders were able to
>go straight without a problem because they were alongside the first car
>that was also going straight.  However, the next couple of riders almost
>got hit because there was confusion on who was going to go first--the
>car or the cyclists.
>
>Debbie
>
>_______________________________________________
>DVBC mailing list
>DVBC at list.dvbc.org
>http://list.dvbc.org/mailman/listinfo/dvbc-list
>
>


----------------
Dave Hartrum
dhartrum at mac.com