All Questions
41 questions
78
votes
11
answers
29k
views
Why is it safer to bike with traffic, instead of facing oncoming cars?
There has been an ongoing debate in my area's local newspaper, regarding biking with vs. against the flow of traffic. A recent incident in which a cyclist was hit from behind, and later died of his ...
- 3,893
37
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Threatening swerving by driver - should I report it? (Canada)
I'm curious to get some opinions on this from other cyclists. FYI this event took place in Ottawa, Canada.
On my work commute, there are about 3 blocks where I ride in the lane with cars because ...
- 4,339
33
votes
10
answers
5k
views
Which states or countries have stop-sign-as-yield laws for bicyclists (Idaho stop law)?
In Idaho (PDF), bicyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as yields, and red lights as stop signs (essentially; see the actual law for details). This seems like a very reasonable approach, balancing ...
- 4,304
32
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Can Cycle Camera Evidence be Used by Police to Enforce Dangerous Motorists?
The (UK) Highway Code dictating that motorists should pass a cyclist no closer than 1.5 meters is only useful to protect us if it can be enforced. Indeed, it's hardly the odd occurrence that I'm close-...
- 2,203
25
votes
2
answers
4k
views
How should I handle a highway patrolman who stops me occasionally to give incorrect instructions about my riding duties?
I live near a minor Tennessee town and frequently ride the few miles into town and back on state highways. Part of the route (the less busy part, ironically) has a dedicated bike lane, but it's filled ...
- 361
22
votes
6
answers
9k
views
Should unconventional colors be avoided for lighting?
Red/amber lights in the rear of the vehicle, white lights, in front of it: that is the good old convention and certainly switching their places is a bad idea.
A quick search, however, shows other ...
user39828
18
votes
6
answers
2k
views
In shared bicycle/pedestrian facilities next to a road, do I obey the pedestrian or the vehicle traffic control devices?
My commute takes me on a bike path that runs parallel to a road (with a sidewalk in between). When crossing other roads, the sidewalk and bike path merge, and there is one curb-cut and cross walk with ...
- 4,304
17
votes
7
answers
2k
views
How to convince fellow cyclists to follow the rules, like stopping at red lights?
I'm basically a year-round cyclist in Toronto, Canada. The popularity of bicycling as a form of transportation and commuting here has been growing over the past few years, and I'm generally happy ...
- 187
16
votes
11
answers
2k
views
When should cyclists use pedestrian facilities?
I generally try to ride in traffic as a vehicle, following the rules of the road, stopping at red lights, taking the lane, etc. In many urban areas, you are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk (...
- 4,304
16
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Does it make sense to complain to companies about bad driving?
On my commute in this morning I found myself in another situation where I was in conflict with another road user. (Briefly, a truck and I arrived at a roundabout at a roughly similar time, but I was ...
- 11.9k
16
votes
7
answers
3k
views
If I'm riding on the road, and there is a red light but a walk signal in my direction, should I go?
I frequently come to stop lights in which there is an all-way stop and a pedestrian signal. I always stop at such lights, but I'm wondering if I should then bike slowly across after determining that ...
- 4,304
16
votes
4
answers
992
views
What is the best way to approach train tracks?
I commute on my bike through an industrial area and cross many train tracks. They very in degrees: most are perpendicular to the road, but some have a very low angle.
This question is two part:
What ...
- 636
15
votes
3
answers
7k
views
If I report intentional dangerous driving to police, will it have any effect?
Today I was riding ~3 feet out from parked cars (dooring is the most common way to get killed) and this pickup truck comes up behind me and just lays on its horn for an entire block. The driver was ...
- 8,596
15
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Is it good practice to wave following cars through when safe?
When I am being followed by a car that is unable to safely overtake, I would normally take the lane and adopt primary position as recommended, making an obvious move to secondary position once it is ...
- 6,747
14
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Should I use lights in foggy conditions?
Today it was foggy, visibility was only slightly reduced, I already wear a high-vis on my bike but I am wondering if it is still worth me using my lights or is that overkill?
13
votes
7
answers
31k
views
Are runners or pedestrians allowed to use the bike lane?
This morning on my commute I encountered a runner in the bike lane I was riding in. This irked me because:
The bike lane was on a busy street, with three lanes of motor vehicle traffic in each ...
- 233
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is vehicular cycling legal in France?
I learned to ride in Toronto, where behaviour such as the following is legal:
if there is not enough space to share the lane safely with another vehicle, it is legal to ride near the centre of the ...
- 12.3k
12
votes
6
answers
10k
views
Is it legal to pass a car on the right when that car is turning?
So I've been poring over the bikes SE, and as a recreational biker and an automobile commuter, I'm naturally most interested in topics addressing how bikes interact with automotive traffic.
In one ...
- 223
10
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Is it generally the case that bikes are allowed to use the "full lane"?
Many blogs and other sources of information on cycling advocate "riding like a car" or "taking the lane" as a way to increase safety and visibility when riding on a road. But such advice presupposes ...
- 1,444
10
votes
4
answers
640
views
Should I be concerned about new helmet laws?
In Australia there was recently a change to to bicycle helmet standards as outlined in AS/NZS 2063:2008.
Basically, helmets complying to the 1996 version of the standard will soon become illegal to ...
- 443
8
votes
4
answers
13k
views
What is the braking (stopping) distance for bicycles?
A vehicle driver must keep enough braking distance (aka stopping distance) between him/her and a vehicle in front in order to avoid collision. It depends on the driving speed.
What is the braking ...
- 215
8
votes
2
answers
427
views
Can I ride side by side with another cyclist in Switzerland?
When I ride on the road with someone (in the country), I try to ride on his side, and then when a car comes, I pull back in. This way, we can talk and have more fun during the trip.
Sometimes, I don'...
- 183
8
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How to (safely) navigate a four-way stop
What's the safest way to navigate a four-way stop on a bicycle?
I've found that some cars will ignore me, others will wave me
through, and still others will just treat me as any other vehicle on the ...
- 342
7
votes
11
answers
2k
views
Safe cycling lights red but the man is green
At a standard road crossing, the lights have turned red, but the man has gone green for pedestrians to cross. What do you do?
Honestly in the situation I coast through as long as there is room. (i.e ...
- 924
7
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Left Turn Across Major Intersection
I'm new at biking, and have seen many examples of left-turn situations, but none that quite match this one. Simply, what is the proper / best way to complete the turn pictured below, or is it smarter ...
- 173
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Has mandated/suggested cycling liability insurance been implemented successfully in any jurisdiction?
Any time a few cyclists organize a group ride, more seasoned riders come over and whisper to the organizers that they are taking a risk. Bicycle riding (blissfully) does not require liability ...
- 10.3k
7
votes
3
answers
371
views
Does a three foot passing law actually require drivers to give three feet?
Utah has a three foot passing law that states:
Title 41 Chapter 6a Section 706.5
Operation of motor vehicle near bicycle prohibited.
An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, ...
- 7,165
6
votes
2
answers
626
views
Is a headlight required to emit light to the sides?
The California Vehicle Code says:
(d) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk
where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction,
or a bikeway, as defined ...
- 1,799
5
votes
6
answers
4k
views
What statutes govern the directing of traffic by citizens in Massachusetts?
Are there laws or statutes governing the directing of traffic by citizens or "members of the public"?
A scenario I often encounter is one in which someone — typically another rider or pedestrian in a ...
- 1,444
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is there legal recourse to drivers passing too close?
I'm a daily commuter on my road bike. I commute into Manchester NH. Over the years drivers seem to have gotten better and better at passing me safely. I attribute this to the following:
Me learning ...
- 79
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Rules for rotary/roundabout?
Does a cyclist have the right of way in a traffic circle/roundabout/rotary (in the US)? Any tips for riding around one of these scary things?
This past summer, I was riding around a rotary (a.k.a. ...
- 143
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What are the hazards and risks if I keep using a worn rear tyre?
I found similar questions:
What are the risks of fenders/mudguards?
What are the risks of untrued wheels?
But I haven't found a structured analysis on the subject of tyres.
Stack exchange ...
- 2,364
3
votes
1
answer
367
views
Idaho Stop: Should I stop at a stop sign when an oncoming vehicle has a stop sign too?
In an "Idaho Stop" context, what is the best thing to do for a cyclist approaching a 4-way stop at the same time as a vehicle approaching from another direction? Should the cyclist
Proceed ...
- 151
3
votes
1
answer
224
views
Figures on accidents involving cyclists where motorists are using cell/mobile phones
I am trying to get hold of some figures for accident rates where either, ideally just cyclists or, just general road users & pedestrians, are involved in accidents (or reported near misses) ...
- 1,097
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can I use reflective tape instead of a rear reflector in the UK?
My road bike isn't fitted with a rear reflector as I got it second hand and I think they removed it. If I purchased some red reflective tape and fitted it around the seatpost/seatstay, would this make ...
- 137
2
votes
3
answers
213
views
Nearly getting hit by reckless vehicles. What can be done? [duplicate]
Today I nearly got hit by a driver not paying attention:
I was stopped, waiting to turn right. She was turning right off the
road. She did not indicate.
It was a quiet residential area, daylight.
...
- 151
1
vote
3
answers
6k
views
Legality of opening someone else's car door?
This is in the context of having just been involved in a near miss with the car. And only applies at traffic lights whereby the car is stationary very soon after the near miss. So, generally the near ...
- 977
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Who has the right of way crossing a shared pedestrian crosswalk / bike path? (USA)
I pass this intersection (and others like it) at least twice per day on my way to work and I'm still a little unsure who should stop for whom. The little yellow star indicates the "bike path", which ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are New York pedestrians allowed to use bike lanes? [duplicate]
In NYC, some street bike lanes (specifically, one on 8th avenue in midtown) are typically full of walking pedestrians.
Is this legal? (e.g. are the pedestrians doing it actually jaywalking or ...
- 251
0
votes
0
answers
57
views
Dealing with cars harassing cyclists in the US [duplicate]
Tonight as my partner was out riding a car swerved over to the fog line as it passed and laid on the horn before speeding off. While most of the driver around here are extremely courteous something ...
- 7,116
-1
votes
5
answers
510
views
What are the possible practical consequences of breaking the rules of the road?
I was reading this question which seemed a totally weird thing to worry about and sparked my question.
I've always disregarded stop signs, lights, crossings and waving policemen as basically ...
- 1,658