Bicycle right-of-way question

[NWICY]

I’d guess that you’d have less than 50% of drivers that know what the hand signal for stopping means. Unless you are a cyclist, you learn it for your permit and never think about it again. The left signal is pretty self explanatory, but the right turn would probably stump a lot of drivers as well. Even cyclists mess that one up. I’ve seen several times where they’ll use their right hand to indicate they’re turning right.

You're probably right for some reason they stuck with me through out the years.

 

[audiokiwi]

None of those examples are following the traffic laws. My point is that a non-bicycling driver probably doesn’t know about special laws for bicycles. How many drivers know what the hand signals mean on a bicycle? Treating a bicycle the same as a vehicle means that everyone on the road knows what the other is going to do.

Honestly, with the way I bike, there shouldn't be any confusion from other drivers. If someone else is at the intersection and has the right of way, I still stop. The only difference is if there's nobody coming, I don't have to come to a complete stop and put by foot on the ground and then start all the way back up.

I don't even bother with hand signals except when I'm turning, and to eliminate confusion I just point with my right hand if I'm turning right. I also mostly bike on streets with bike lanes, so there's no real need to signal for a brake since there's no other cars in my lane.


It's so much more important for a car to follow all the rules well since they're 2 tons and can kill people and are much less nimble.

 

[cycloner29]

Probably already been covered, but I have questions in regards to bikes, e-bikes, and even motorized bikes,

1. Do e-bikes fall under the same category as a regular bike when it comes to laws, rules?

2. Are motorized bikes allowed on sidewalks? I’ve been buzzed by a couple people on motorized bikes while walking on a sidewalk.

3. Who has the right of way on a sidewalk? Bike or pedestrian?

I will always ride in the street, but have come across instances where the street in being redone and have no choice but to use the sidewalk.

 

[VeloClone]

Yes! I didn't realize MN had that. Every state should have the Idaho Stop law as it would make it safer and better for bikes and cars.

I don't like the being able to run red lights thing though. I'm glad MN shot that down. Too many asshats going through red lights when they shouldn't in downtown MPLS as it is.

 

[VeloClone]

I’d guess that you’d have less than 50% of drivers that know what the hand signal for stopping means. Unless you are a cyclist, you learn it for your permit and never think about it again. The left signal is pretty self explanatory, but the right turn would probably stump a lot of drivers as well. Even cyclists mess that one up. I’ve seen several times where they’ll use their right hand to indicate they’re turning right.

The first part of your post is exactly why many cyclists have adopted the European right hand turn signal. The other one really only makes sense if you are driving a motor vehicle and can't reach out your right window. Even if someone doesn't remember the signals taught in driver's ed, intuition will generally get you to the right place if you see a cyclist point to their left or to their right.

 

[audiokiwi]

Probably already been covered, but I have questions in regards to bikes, e-bikes, and even motorized bikes,

1. Do e-bikes fall under the same category as a regular bike when it comes to laws, rules?

2. Are motorized bikes allowed on sidewalks? I’ve been buzzed by a couple people on motorized bikes while walking on a sidewalk.

3. Who has the right of way on a sidewalk? Bike or pedestrian?

I will always ride in the street, but have come across instances where the street in being redone and have no choice but to use the sidewalk.

This depends on the city and state. Often different classes of e-bike are regulated differently.

For instance, in Chicago, no bikes are allowed on the sidewalk at all unless you're on the first or last block of your trip. The official city bike map has a nice table showing what's legal. E-bikes. When I lived in Virginia Beach, there was abysmal bike infrastructure, so non-motorized biking was allowed on sidewalks (except at the oceanfront and the "town center" area). E-bikes and scooters weren't ever allowed on sidewalks.

This is something I would love to see enforced more. Bikes and peds don't mix well on sidewalks unless you're on a shared-use trail and bikes can pass pedestrians. A big part of the problem is biking on the road is often unsafe too in most cities in the county.

 

[Yaz]

Lots of good information here....Cycling myth busting.