Who is the commuter cyclist (Mighk Wilson)

• We are citizens who often drive bicycles. 
• We are confident road users who pose very little danger to others, and only rarely are we seriously hurt ourselves. 
• We are highly competent and predictable. 
• We work to make our public roads safer for everyone, especially pedestrians and children. 
• We are healthy and positive because we get regular moderate exercise; we engage positively with our community, instead of being walled-off behind steel and glass. 
• We believe anyone can quickly learn to bike competently and confidently on our roads, and offer a variety of fun and effective ways for people to do so. 
• Many of us wear helmets because they are cheap insurance to protect against the rare head injury, but we don’t get too worked up if others don’t wear them. 
• We encourage federal, state and local governments to treat us as vehicle drivers with the same rights and responsibilities as all other drivers, and not as second-class citizens who are “in the way.” 
• Please come join us!

Sidewalks vs. Streets

As I drive my bicycle more and more as a driver (operator) of a vehicle, I am amazed by the strength of the counter-intuitive way we are taught to drive our bicycles in traffic.  Moreover, I am further moved by the revelation and power of actually operating my bike as a vehicle in traffic.

Every flat I have had in the past 5 years (on my road bikes) have been due to riding further into the shoulder and/or otherwise making it easier on our motorists.  Likewise nearly every close call I have had is when I was doing something "unexpected" or otherwise not acting like traffic or a driver of a vehicle on the roadway.

This Saturday was a perfect example:

1. Due to my ending destination and traffic at the time I elected to use a right turn lane to transition to the crosswalk to access a sidewalk to my destination - a fruit stand at the end of a parking lot.  After waiting at the light, I proceeded to enter the crosswalk at pedestrian speed and cross the side street (keep in mind I was also pulling a trailer, have a blinking headlight and bright green flag on the trailer), and I observed a young driver in a Camaro coming up a bit to quickly so I got read to un-clip and slow down, sure enough, he would have continued all the way past the marked crosswalk, except I noted his window was open and gave a strong "hey!"
   
   Well, he looked up from playing with his phone or radio (probably texting in secret since now that is illegal here, maybe an un-intended consequence of the new law, now people have to hide it more, further taking their eyes off the road); he just gave me a dumb look with his cigarette hanging out of his mouth.  Had I not been so attentive and prepared to make an emergency stop and gave a warning, I likely would have hit him or him me.  (Family Center on Redwood)
   
2. Now, just a few block down the road on my way to my next stop, I had to make a left on a 8 lane roadway (actually it is a double right on then double right off with no stops CFI 45mph).  So I decided to take advantage of the double wheelchair ramp on the opposite corner and wait for the cross light.  Still with my trailer, flag and red flashing light on the rear.  The light turned green and I started to proceeded on the crosswalk, and a right turning vehicle, completely didn't see me, fortunately she was making a wide right with one hand on her steering wheel and again another cigarette hanging out of her mouth.  I again let this driver know I was in the cross walk (how she didn't see me is really puzzling). Just just responded with her hand up in "I'm sorry" but rather than stopping, just continued on her way after slowing enough for me to have to track-stand for her to get by.  (6200 S & Redwood)

Now keep in mind, I just traveled 2 miles of Redwood in the right lane (no shoulders, 7 lanes of traffic) without incident, and even negotiated the CFI in traffic without problems operating as a driver of a vehicle, albeit at my "slow" 20mph on a 45 (50) mph roadway.  So in the two very short incidents where I elected to use the pedestrian walkways, I was nearly hit twice!  So where do bikes belong?

Cyclist Facts

FAQ – Common questions regarding cycling by non-cyclists in Blue, 

with responses in black italic.

[2013] Shouldn't cyclists pay for insurance?

One must consider the general danger to the public at large a cyclist poses vs. that of a motorist.  A typical auto weighs 4,000 lbs, a bicycle including the rider about 200 lbs.  The Utah state minimum insurance coverage which most carry is only $25,000.  

Even if a cyclist causes a crash, the property damage is usually small in the 2-3k range, and very rarely involves personal injury.  Many automobile coverage's also cover the cyclist while they are riding their bike for 3k of personal injury.  

Now, if a motorist causes an accident with a cyclist, the chance of property damage is low, but personal injury is very high, often way over that 25k limit which the insurance pays.  

So, what happens to the rest?  It becomes a civil lawsuit either way and the greater risk is born by the cyclist in this case than the motorist, even with the motorist's insurance.  If the loosing side ends up filing bankruptcy on a large case, the victim ends up paying all their medical bills and lost time.

I’m curious why cyclists are allowed to ride on roads with speed limits of 45-50 mph and virtually no emergency lane?

In most states bicycles are classified as a vehicle and have the same rights as any other vehicle.  As such they are allowed to use the regular traffic lane, and use the entire lane if the lane is too narrow for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to share the lane safely.

Why are cyclist allowed to ride in the car lane when the emergency lane disappears?

Cyclists are actually not “required” to use the shoulder.

Why are cyclist allowed to cross car lanes, move into the left turn lane, and turn with cars?

Cyclists are treated as a vehicle and may move to the left and use the left turn lane just as any other vehicle.

Why do cyclists ride on the white emergency lane line or left of the emergency lane line?

Cyclists are allowed to ride in the traffic lane, even if there is a shoulder.  Furthermore, the white line is generally the smoothest place to ride and debris are easier to see on the line.  Many factors place a cyclist close to the fog line with a wide shoulder including: parked cars including the door zone (bikes are safer keeping a straight line rather than weaving in and out), pebbles and other road debris, garbage cans, potholes, un-even pavement or cracks parallel to the direction of travel, drainage grates, and vehicles from side streets and driveways.

Why are cyclist allowed to ride two or more abreast?

Cyclists can ride two abreast as long as they are not “impeding the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.”  So in light traffic where it is easy to pass, or more than two lanes, they are generally not impeding the “normal and reasonable” flow.  Also, in a narrow lane where it is not safe to pass anyway, a cyclist may ride in the center of the lane, so having two bikes is not impeding a driver any more than they would riding by themselves (Colorado recently passed laws clarifying this issue)

Do cyclists pay a yearly tax on the bikes, as I do on my vehicle to use the roads?

Most cyclists also own motor vehicles and pay the same licensing fees as others.  As many cyclists commute by work, those also owning vehicles are actually paying more per mile on their car than others who don’t ride for the same vehicle.  A bicycle causes an un-measurable amount of wear to a roadway compared to motor vehicles.  Roadway repair dollars come from many sources, not just gas taxes, but from property and income taxes as well which we all pay.  In all fairness, a cyclist generally pays a greater share given the amount of wear-and-tear and usage they require. 

(June 2011: In a recent report to the city of Taylorsville, the amount from fuel taxes cites get only pays for about 1/2 of the repair costs related to their roadways, the rest for repairs and maintenance [and new construction] comes from other sources including property taxes and sales taxes which we all pay about 20% overall).

Are cyclists going to be allowed to ride their bikes on the freeways?

Actually, cyclists are allowed to use the shoulder on limited access roadways, except in urban areas where there are reasonable alternatives.

Why do cyclists disregard stop signs and red lights?

Why do drivers not stop at stop signs and do other distracting things while driving (eating/cell phones) while operating at 4,000# vehicle?  Sometimes a bicycle does not trigger the magnetic sensors designed for cars for the lights.

Are there laws and regulations for cyclists?

Yes, there are a few specific to cyclists, but in general they have the same rights and duties as operators of any other vehicle.

Do cyclists take a test regarding the laws and regulations?

No, but we are working on getting more of this curriculum into the schools.  There are bicycle traffic safety education classes available in most communities.

Are the laws and regulations enforced?

Yes, law enforcement does give tickets when appropriate to cyclists.  Even though the action of the cyclist has less of a public danger when they disobey the traffic laws, they get the same fines as motorists.

I have come close to side swiping other cars when a cyclist moves into the car lane. Doesn’t it make sense to restrict cyclists to roads with adequate emergency lanes, on roads where the speed limit is 40 mph or lower? A residential road, where the speed limit is 25 mph, is a perfect example of a street where cars and bikes can share.   

Most destinations which cyclists are travelling to cannot be completed solely on these types of roadways.  In a perfect world we would have bike lanes on every roadway like in Amsterdam, but we don’t.  Unless the cyclist unexpectedly merged into your lane, you must change lanes and/or wait your turn just as you would passing any other vehicle, and pass at a safe distance of 3’ or greater.

Why do some cyclists ride in the middle on the lane?

A motorist needs to give a cyclist at least three feet clearance (from right mirror to the left arm). On many roadways, the right lane is only 11-12’wide.  The cyclist takes up about 3’ of space and generally rides 2’ from the shoulder/edge.   A typical mid-sized car takes up over 6’ including the mirrors.  That comes to 14’, more for large trucks and SUV’s. 

Many times if the cyclist is riding too far in the lane to the right (or even just over the fog line) motorists either don’t see the cyclist or miss-judge the passing distance and try squeezing by.  Also when the cyclist is closer to parked cars, and other obstacles, it is harder for them to see and be seen by drivers coming out of side streets and driveways.

A cyclist who is riding in the middle of a narrow lane is more likely to be seen by motorists further back, this allows them to signal and merge into the next lane without slowing or more time to adjust to pick a gap in opposing traffic.

More on Licensing

The bicycles right to use the roadway is the same as it is for anyone else to use the roadway.  The US Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of travel upon the public roadways is a right given to everyone.  The Court further states that the “right of free movement” of its citizenship is protected against discriminatory State action.  The argument in this case is that specifying the mode of travel upon our roadways would in effect “curtail the right of free movement of those who are poor or destitute.”  Edwards v. People of State of California.

As for licensing of bicycles vs. motor vehicles or commercial vehicles, in various cases where the driver was cited with a revoked license, the defense repeatedly fails because the courts judged motoring to be inherently dangerous to other road users, thus requiring regulation and sometimes revocation of privileges, and that other, common means of travel such as walking and cycling were sufficient to preserve the right to travel for those who could not drive.

In my view in summary, the right to use the public roadway is a freedom we ALL enjoy.  Not licensing cyclists is concurrent with both statements herein in that the threat to public safety is not generally endangered by a cyclist’s improper operation in the same way of someone operating a 4,000-6,000# vehicle, and freedom of movement is a fundamental right.  (The cases where a cyclist was proven to be the significant cause of injury of someone in a motor vehicle are extremely rare.)

Both Cyclists and Motorists have duties when using and sharing roadways.  Just because some don’t obey the traffic laws, does not dismiss either group’s right to use the roadways.  We must all remember however, inattentive actions by a motor vehicle driver have FAR greater consequences than that of a cyclist and have a greater duty to operate that vehicle in a safe manner; however,  it still does not excuse poor driving/riding habits of either group.

 

 

Sharing our Urban Canyons
(Originally Published in Cycling Utah April 2008)


Urban Canyons are a great place to ride. They usually offer great scenery, generally slower motor vehicle traffic and are close to the areas which we live. The convenience of these canyons also comes with some trade-offs.


Many hazards and challenges are presented to us when riding these canyons. Some have better shoulders than others, some are narrow, some are wide, some have rock-fall and some have intermittent natural light.


Many modes of transportation are frequently used in these canyons. In addition to cyclists other users include: drivers in motor vehicles, runners, equestrians, hikers, motorcyclists, those just on a scenic drive, dogs and the occasional moose. In order for each user group to be safe, we must all respect each other’s right to use the roadway corridor in a safe and thoughtful manner.


Shoulder Use
Many canyons have a useable paved shoulder. The up-hill cyclist should utilize these as much as possible (provided that the shoulder is reasonably free of debris and obstacles such as garbage cans, large rocks and parked cars). However, a cyclist should not ride so far to the right as to be “invisible” to residents pulling out of their driveways or being hidden around right bends to other drivers cutting over the fog line (white shoulder stripe).


Utah State Code 41-6a-1105 requires the cyclists to ride as far to the right as is “practicable,” gives some examples as to why the cyclist could or should move from that position, and when it is “legal” to ride two abreast.


Riding Two Abreast
For the purposes of riding in these canyons, law enforcement is currently including the shoulder when determining if riders are riding two abreast if at least one is in the traffic lane. To my knowledge, this has not yet been challenged in court. Their opinion is that if it is safe for the rider to ride in the shoulder, then the 2nd rider is un-necessarily “impeding the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.” For canyons such as Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake County, the County installed a widened shoulder striped on both sides of the shoulder which could be taken as being part of the “roadway.” There are arguments both
sides of this issue which we could discuss, but that is for another venue.


Due to increasing calls to the Sheriff’s office in Salt Lake regarding Emigration Canyon, by both motorists and cyclists, they are increasing their enforcement efforts and citations in the canyon. The Canyon Patrol Deputies will generally watch to see if you were just passing or having an extended conversation while keeping two abreast. If you can both safely keep in the shoulder, you can ride two abreast. If you do get stopped, be polite! And it does yourself and the rest of us no good to lie to them about how long you were riding two abreast.


The Major Issues
In State law, the right to ride two abreast includes not “impeding the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.” Dropping back once the cyclists sees a motorist could be taken as violating this rule as the motorist has likely already slowed down. As the driver now has to accelerate (up-hill), it takes them longer to safely pass, and the longer they are near or over the center-line, the longer the safety is reduced to both the motorist and cyclist.


The number one issue for residents in the canyon is “large groups” riding together. Even though we all have the “right” to use the canyon, please be cognizant of the rights of the other users as well. There is little drafting advantage in riding in large packs uphill and unsafe at downhill speeds. In addition to the fact that large packs have a tendency to ride two or three abreast (see above), they are much harder to pass safely on narrow canyon roads due to their extended length. “We all want the same thing, for all users to enjoy travelling the canyon safely,” - Joe Smolka, Chair, Emigration Township Council.


Rider’s Duty to Share the Road
By being good stewards of the roadway and avoiding riding in large packs and two or more abreast when it is not necessary, motorists have less reason to get impatient. This can decrease passing when it is less safe to do so, either by crossing the double yellow line or passing to closely to the cyclists. Although, the “un-safe” pass by the motor vehicle isn’t excused by the cyclists breaking the law, the cyclist can ease the tension by making reasonable efforts to share the roadway when safe. The cyclist has the most at risk as being the more vulnerable vehicle; this includes recognizing when even a single rider may be delaying a long line of motor vehicles due to the terrain.


As for other areas of the canyons: constantly be on the lookout for bottlenecks and other hazards, such as narrow lanes with no shoulders, going around turns, hidden rock-fall around turns coming down the canyon, and other incursions by vehicles and pedestrians. Extra caution is needed when travelling down the canyon at higher speeds; at these higher speeds, it is more reasonable to ride further to the center of the lane, so that you’ll be seen more as a vehicle by cross traffic and have a better view of the roadway looking for debris.


In Salt Lake County, we are working with the County to provide more frequent sweepings of the canyons, re-examining the signage for both motorists and cyclists, evaluating and repairing the shoulder and other portions of the roadway used by cyclists, and working with the Sheriff’s office on reasonable enforcement issues. The Township is also working with the County and residents to make the canyon safer by keeping obstacles such as garbage cans off the roadway. No matter where you live, communicating with your government and local officials mends many fences, but it all starts and ends with the cyclist’s behavior on the roads, we must each take responsibility for our own actions first.


Here are some general tips to help keep us all safe in the canyons:


Ride Single File
When riding up narrow canyons, ride single file as much as possible. Always be on the lookout for motorists behind you. Remember you are traveling much slower in this direction. Allow faster traffic to pass when it is safe to do so. Avoid riding in large groups which are harder to pass, even in single file.


Riding Down
When riding down a canyon, watch your speed, you can be ticketed for speeding as well as motorists and only ride a speed that you are comfortable with for the given conditions and your riding ability. If riding less than the speed of other traffic, you still must “ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway” as conditions permit; however, your safety comes first.


Use extreme caution when braking and going around turns, you want to do a majority of your braking BEFORE the turn. Hard braking during a turn can result in your bike swerving into the oncoming lane.


Use caution around narrow curves, especially where rock fall is common, Utah law allows cyclists to ride towards the center of the lane when: “a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.” (Do so sparingly, but your safety comes first)


Obey All Signage
Obey all traffic control devices (stop lights, stop signs, single file signs etc.)


Be Courteous
Remember the roads and trails belong to everyone. Be a "Bicycle Ambassador," wave to others to acknowledge others who recognize and give you the right-of-way, whether they were required to or not. There is a difference between “our right” and “doing what is right.”


Utah and Salt Lake County bicycle related laws can be found at www.safe-route.org/laws For information on taking a “Cyclist ED/Vehicular Cycling” course, please visit www.slcbikecollective.org.

Trails, how it should be...

(From the Archives)

 

When I left Boise 15 year ago, I left what I would consider the seedlings of one of the premier trail systems easily access from the city.  Either it could get crushed, or take hold and grow.  At the time, there were various advocacy groups trying to secure access for trails through private land including hikers, homeowners and cyclists.  Most of the foothills surrounding the Boise area were prime grounds for mountain biking with good trails, moderate obstacles and grade with much of it accessible within a few minutes from the city (without using your car).

 

Much of the land was, and is still owned, by ranchers and equestrians.  At the time of my departure there were a couple of primary advocacy groups, the Save Hulls Gulch group and the newly formed Boise Mayor's Bicycle Advisory committee.  The group leaders were wise in  training and teaching the rest of us about compromise and reminding us who owns the land we were riding on. 

 

Although, may of us considered equestrian use of the trails causing more damage than mountain bikes, the fact still remained that the equestrians for the most part were the land owners or had strong ties to the landowners and ranchers where the trails traversed. Only through cooperation and understanding of each other would we be able to secure long-term access.  On numerous occasions, when coming up to a rancher or landowner on a trail, I would stop and chat with them.  One of their biggest complaints was the gate issue, basically we need to leave it the way we found it, either open or closed so they could manage their livestock. 

 

Ranchers who work the land generally appreciate it when we take the time to chat and it is a good opportunity for much needed 2-way communication.  If they are mending their fence, offer a helping hand, if they ask about your ride, keep it positive and thank them for the access, in general just make the effort, it is appreciated; you “really” aren't in that much of a hurry are you?  Even if the ride is part of some training training routine, it is well worth the time, be flexible, you can always get your training in later.  These sort of small efforts go a long way in mending and keeping the positive the relationship to keep the trails open.

 

Time came for me to pick up my roots and move to the Wasatch Front.  It did not take me long to miss the easily accessible and ridable trails right from my front door.  The first few years, I made frequent trips to Boise and brought my bike along to take in some good riding.  As time went on, I wasn't taking my bike with me, or even riding that much. Before I knew it, about 8 years had passed since I had ridden in Boise.  Last year I started riding again, although I still had my mountain bike, I felt the need to once again get a road bike so I could ride from my house in Taylorsville. 

 

I once again brought my mountain bike up to Boise on a trip to see what was left of the trail system.  I read about how communities are loosing their trails and trailheads left an right, including here.  Much to my surprise, the trail system is in better shape in Boise that when I left it:  better access, more maintained trails, more signage, new self-closing gates (replacing ones which you had to lift your bike over, or just leave the way you found it), and a more positive environment overall.  Now  I don't miss an opportunity to bring the bike along and reap the benefits of all of the hard work.

 

We all have to share the same diverse communities and lifestyles, all it takes is a little bit of tolerance, slowing down and communication, pass it on. 

Bicycle’s right to the use of the roadway

The bicycles right to use the roadway is the same as it is for anyone else to use the roadway.  The US Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of travel upon the public roadways is a right given to everyone.  The Court further states that the “right of free movement” of its citizenship is protected against discriminatory State action.  The argument in this case is that specifying the mode of travel upon our roadways would in effect “curtail the right of free movement of those who are poor or destitute.”  Edwards v. People of State of California.

 

As for licensing of bicycles vs. motor vehicles or commercial vehicles, in various cases where the driver was cited with a revoked license, the defense repeatedly fails because the courts judged motoring to be inherently dangerous to other road users, thus requiring regulation and sometimes revocation of privileges, and that other, common means of travel such as walking and cycling were sufficient to preserve the right to travel for those who could not drive.

 

In my view in summary, the right to use the public roadway is a freedom we ALL enjoy.  Not licensing cyclists is concurrent with both statements herein in that the threat to public safety is not generally endangered by a cyclist’s improper operation in the same way of someone operating a 4,000-6,000# vehicle, and freedom of movement is a fundamental right.  (The cases where a cyclist was proven to be the significant cause of injury of someone in a motor vehicle are extremely rare.)

 

Both Cyclists and Motorists have duties when using and sharing roadways.  Just because some don’t obey the traffic laws, does not dismiss either group’s right to use the roadways.  We must all remember however, inattentive actions by a motor vehicle driver have FAR greater consequences than that of a cyclist and have a greater duty to operate that vehicle in a safe manner; however, it still does not excuse poor driving/riding habits of either group.