bicycles in lane

[csj]

I'd like to start out asking for opinion, but next, could I get
whether or not it's legal in your province/state/country.

Last weekend I was forced into the oncoming lane by only
TWO multi-speed, vinyl-clad, multi-colour, bicycle riders,
riding shoulder-to-shoulder (in same direction) in my lane.
These odd people refuse to move over, and they appear
to not care that someone could just whack-em off the road.

The practice is dangerous. Sometimes there are ten or twelve
of 'em, all goose stepping in stride, sometimes four across.
I haven't stopped a LEO yet to ask about it.

Opinion and legality please.

[old2soon]

Well fore ya go mowing em down-your answer is in your post-ask your friendly L E O. I really haven't run into the problem here in mo-yet. Course thats not to say i won't. If you get a decent answer to your query-please let the rest of us know. RIDE SAFE.

[Valk1520]

Here in Michigan, bicycles have the same rights as cars.  They must ride with the flow of traffic and if you "accidently" fail to give them their "rights" they go balistic.  Not bad mouthing all of them but a good majority ride 2-3 abreast (illegal), fail to stop for stop signs and then roll through red lights without waiting for the green like the rest of us .  They scream they have rights but then fail to follow the laws that they should.  My personal soap box...Why don't bicycles pay taxes/registration like the rest of the vehicles that have the same "rights", just wonderin'.

[Willow]

In my part of the country they're entitled to the road if they stay to the right.  If they occupy so much of the lane that cannot get around them and are moving sufficiently slower than the normal flow of the other vehicles it comes under the rather broad heading of impeding traffic.

I understand that reaching out to slap one on your way past is frowned upon.    

[John Schmidt]

By your description, do you mean they were going the same direction as you? That is the correct method for cyclers, same as though on a motorcycle or driving a car. Second, in Florida and nearly every state I've cycled in, they have the same responsibilities as to traffic laws, and the same rights to that lane as a car if there is no bicycle lane provided. I ride constantly, at least three times a week but usually more often, and will cover many miles each time. Age has taken its toll on the joints and it's the one exercise I can do without much pain, plus it's good for the cardio if you don't dawdle. I've had people, mostly little old ladies, pass me so close I can touch their right side mirror. So, I've taken to carrying one of those compressed air horns in my second water bottle rack. Scares the bejabbers out of them, and when asked I will tell them that if they can't pass me due to oncoming traffic, they have to do the same as though it were another car and wait 'til the traffic passes. In recent years, I've even observed a driver get a citation for crowding a cyclist, passing with oncoming traffic. Some states even require you to give the riders a minimum distance when passing, I suggest twice the height of the bike....usually about 6 ft. just in case they should drop the bike as you pass.

[sandy]

I use to commute on a bicycle for 25 years. Bikes are required to stay to the right and ride in single file. They must obey all traffic laws. If you get a ticket on your bike, the points go on your drivers license. Cars must give 3' minimum side clearance and Scottsdale requires 5 ft. You can't legally ride onto or off of a sidewalk with any right of way. NOW: Try to get bicyle people to follow those laws. Lots of luck.

[Oss]

+1 what sandy said   NYC has biking lanes they are supposed to use and not the sidewalks but many ignore the rules

On weekends especially in Harriman park I will see large groups oblivious to the danger that awaits them  

I use  tap the air horn as I approach and if no movement I will lay on the air horn but only when I am close and have slowed down to almost their speed

They WILL FLY  over to the side of the road as they crap their biking shorts  works every time

Worst come to worst pull over a few hundred yards after passing them to advise them of the danger they are to themselves and others and take a picture with your camera or cell phone riding 2 abreast as they approach.

Try not to hurt them, they could be your neighbors or your own kids

I can only admire the conditioning of some of these hardy souls I see in dead of winter climbing the mountain roads as I am no way in shape to do what they do riding 50+ miles

[rainman]

Here in Michigan, bicycles have the same rights as cars.  They must ride with the flow of traffic and if you "accidently" fail to give them their "rights" they go balistic.  Not bad mouthing all of them but a good majority ride 2-3 abreast (illegal), fail to stop for stop signs and then roll through red lights without waiting for the green like the rest of us .  They scream they have rights but then fail to follow the laws that they should.  My personal soap box...Why don't bicycles pay taxes/registration like the rest of the vehicles that have the same "rights", just wonderin'.

glad to hear that I am not the only one that has a problem with bicycles here in monroe county and I.U.we have to deal with all those students and they just don't take up have the road they are on the yellow line and they will not move and I have had a lot words and even some contact with fools just down the hill from me last year a car took four of them off the road and their were about 12 or so in the group I just had to like you said Why don't bicycles pay taxes/registration like the rest of the vehicles that have the same "rights", just wonderin'

[Jess from VA]

We have lots of bicyclists in horse country two-lane secondary roads, and they do a pretty good job of staying right.... except during their numerous rallies of hundreds.  After slowing somewhat, I routinely cross double yellow lines on these country roads to give them as much safe distance as I can.... seeing no oncoming traffic.  I get appreciative waves (once in a while).  Many riders will not cross double yellow and pass more closely.

I'm sure this is a ticketable offense on my part, but there are no cops out there.   

These same roads will have John Deere, big horse trailers, hay wagons and other farm equipment going 2mph around any corner so it pays to be good on your brakes and pay attention.

On Skyline Drive (top two sections of BRP), there are many bicycles.  Speed limit is 35, and downhill they regularly go 50.  I watched a Park Cop follow one down a long grade with amusement; the guy was obviously having fun after pumping his ass off in first gear up those steep hills, and not paying attention*.  The cop finally pulled him over.     What's good for the goose......

*Ever notice how few fat bicyclists there are? 

[sugerbear]

after working the ms150 bike ride here in Mo, i can tell you from the leo's mouth.

single file right side of the road or get a ticket and or be removed from the ride.

hauled a few bikes that were removed.

[MarkT]

I'm pretty sure you can look up the statutes online for any state.  Google [Your state] statutes.

I was pretty sure motor vehicles are required to pass 3 ft or more away.  I didn't find that in the statutes, though.

Here's the Colorado statutes as applies to this thread so far (in the numeric order of the statutes):

42-4-1008.5. Crowding or threatening bicyclist.

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not, in a careless and imprudent manner, drive the vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist.
   

42-4-1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.

(1) Every person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and, when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles and electrical assisted bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.

(5) (a) Any person operating a bicycle or an electrical assisted bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride in the right-hand lane, subject to the following conditions:
   

(I) If the right-hand lane then available for traffic is wide enough to be safely shared with overtaking vehicles, a bicyclist shall ride far enough to the right as judged safe by the bicyclist to facilitate the movement of such overtaking vehicles unless other conditions make it unsafe to do so.
   
(6) (a) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
   
b) Persons riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(10) (a) A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
   

(b) A person shall not ride a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.

(c) A person riding or walking a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 42-4-802.