WHY can't roadies understand it's single-file?

Why do these spandex clad people refuse to understand that the LAW in California (and most places) is single file on the roadway? I mean, what's so hard about that? It's the law....yet it seems there are many who simply refuse to acknowledge this. ](*,)

EDIT- probably shouldn't have said "roadies"......as others do it to. But I'm thinking of pretty much every weekend around SoCal....and the 3-4 wide road bikes blocking traffic like they own the place....and 1/2 of them running every stop sign and light.

 

3....2.....1.....

 

Same reason Mtn Bikers don't understand that riding illegal trials are against the law.

Neither care.

 

Really...........

 

Why don't drivers signal, or yield to drivers who do? Same reason. Inconsiderate A$$holes are everywhere--driving cars, riding bikes, in line. Some people just don't care that their behavior is rude or inconsiderate and, in some cases, illegal.

 

I see mtb's riding side by side from cooks to the luge daily on Santiago canyon. It's not a roady thing.

 

I do what I want!

 

Rules and laws are there for those who don't know any better....



(sarcastic)

 

Rulez are meant to be broken holmes

 

You may want to brush up on your "LAW in California" in terms of vehicle codes... as nothing in the California Vehicle Code prohibits this. It is typically up to the City to set their own laws regarding this.

For instance, in the City of Irvine (among others) you are ALLOWED to ride two abreast (when safe).

Operation on Roadways and Bicycle Lanes


Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or bike lane shall not ride more than two abreast. (Sec. 4-7-204(c), City Code).

http://www.cityofirvine.org/pdfs/pw/bikeways_info.pdf


Why will it be so difficult for so many drivers to refuse to understand that it will be the law to give a 3 foot margin (again, when safe) for bicyclists on the road starting September 16th?

Three Feet for Safety Act
21760. (a) This section shall be known and may be
cited as the Three Feet for Safety Act.
(b) The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking and
passing a bicycle that is proceeding in the same direction
on a highway shall pass in compliance with the
requirements of this article applicable to overtaking
and passing a vehicle, and shall do so at a safe distance
that does not interfere with the safe operation of the
overtaken bicycle, having due regard for the size and
speed of the motor vehicle and the bicycle, trafic
conditions, weather, visibility, and the surface and
width of the highway.
(c) A driver of a motor vehicle shall not overtake or
pass a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on a
highway at a distance of less than three feet between any
part of the motor vehicle and any part of the bicycle or
its operator.
(d) If the driver of a motor vehicle is unable to comply
with subdivision (c), due to trafic or roadway conditions,
the driver shall slow to a speed that is reasonable and
prudent, and may pass only when doing so would not
endanger the safety of the operator of the bicycle, taking
into account the size and speed of the motor vehicle and
bicycle, traffic conditions, weather, visibility, and
surface and width of the highway....





If you want to brush up, here's a link you may be interested in

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/veh_code.pdf

 

California Statute-

RIGHT SIDE / SINGLE FILE:
21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway

Wasn't aware a city like Irvine allowed such a ridiculous thing as side-by-side riding. I'll have to check if others do. Side-by-side riding is ridiculous as it blocks traffic.

 

Why can't doucheholes understand that if they don't what they are talking about then STFU? A lot on here want to criticize roadies when they've never ridden in a group. Many can barely ride a mountain bike.

 

oh, a tough guy!

 

Now now... No name calling! [-X
(moving forward- keep it nice or posts may be deleted)

FWIW: It's becoming ever so frustrating watching a small percentage of mtn/ road cyclists ruin it for the rest of us (lack of respect for others / not caring / etc. etc. etc.). Rant over.

 

Huh, I wonder why the California Dept of Transportation says that riding in single file is not required?

 

I think some of the (my) frustration is caused by one of two things:
1. Large groups of cyclists riding multiple riders abreast that causes them to spill into the lanes of traffic.
2. Large groups of cyclists who feel that if the first guy in the peleton made the yellow light, then the red light doesn't apply to them.

Notice I used the term "cyclists" and didn't specify what kind. I've seen all kinds do this stuff and it's aggravating.

 

Huh....there is no "single file rule"....but there is a " as far to the right as is practicable" rule. So.....you'll have to explain to law enforcement (who almost uniformly agree with me)...why you're not "as far to the right as is safe" when you're the person on the left in a side-by-side situation. Also, you're impeding traffic, which is citation #2.

 

That wasn't a very constructive comment.

The OP is right. There are groups of riders who are bunching up to the point of spilling over into a lane of traffic unpredictably interfering with the flow of traffic so that they can draft off each other.

I see roadies all the time doing stupid, unecessary stuff that's totally inconsiderate of drivers and makes it worse for all of us. I ride road too, used to a lot before texting became so popular. I used to commute to work 16 miles each way once a week on a regular basis. I've done a century, a L'Etape du CA, etc.

I see drivers and mountain bikers doing stupid, unsafe, inconsiderate stuff too.

But the OP is right; it's a real problem that does exist and is unecessary. And the people doing it should learn some manners and follow the rules of the road and cut it out.

 

100% with you. I'm a road cyclist too. And I enjoy my rights and want them respected. However, these 2....3....4 riders side-by-side clowns are doing me no favor. They are obstructing traffic, and thus angering everybody...and thus endangering me when I'm just doing my thing, riding by myself on the roads....because people automatically hate me for being on a road bike.

It's similar to motorcyclists who ride like idiots while "lane-splitting". I'm a very avid motorcyclist too. When I see these fools acting like idiots, weaving in and out at 80 mph.....I know car drivers are getting annoyed. This is what causes some random person to eventually (that's all it takes... is once) swerve at me while I'm lane splitting (in my normal very safe manner) on the 210.

Idiots cause problems for non-idiots! That's the moral of the story. IMO (I'm gonna trademark that)

 

From your own reference:
"21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable. "

Number 3 is a damn good exception. If a bicyclist determines that a route is not safe to travel furthest to the right (which many times it is, those bike lanes/curbs can get in bad shape) they can move into another lane. If there is no bike lane, then a bicyclist has every right to take the lane for his or her safety.



I'd also love to see your study where law enforcement uniformly agree with you