John - See answers below (at least my interpretation). I am also posting to Bikies so others can benefit:
At 09:18 AM 06/18/2002 -0500, John Moxness wrote: i would like to understand what the legal distances >bikers are given to use from the edge of the road - the stretch of road i'm >dealing with is on seminole hwy and has no designated bike lane and is 24' >wide. i believe its three feet from the edge of the pavement but to where >on the bike? >i have the same >question for the distance that a automobile must give a bicyclist and where >is the law measuring it from? The only "three foot" rule is that cars and bikes must stay 3' away from each other. In a 12 foot lane (that would be 2x12=24' total for 2 lanes) you can take the ENTIRE lane and ride where ever you feel safe. Here is the calculation: bicyclists should and do ride approx 2-3' from edge of pavement (not including gutter if present - that is not part of pavement). This gives them room to maneuver if there are obstacles, holes, debris, etc. Your bicycle/body is approx 2' wide (mtb handlebars average 24 inches) The driver must stay 3 feet away from you - no part of his vehicle can be within 36 inches of you or your vehicle 2+2+3 = 7 feet of lane already occupied Now the vehicle must logically be 5 feet or less in width to fit in the lane with you. You KNOW a Bronco is more than 5 feet wide, so you SHOULD and legally CAN "take the lane" so that the driver is not tempted to "squeeze by." Make sure to have copy of the Wisconsin statutes with you when you go. They can be picked up in paper form at the BFW office (call, 'cause the full, long, wordy sheet isn't sitting out in the hallway.) You can also pick up an abbreviated card with the relevant parts at the BFW office or area bike shops at any time - those are out in the hallway. They have the language on "ride as far to the right as practicable." The part you are looking for is the wording saying you do not have to ride as far to the right as practicable when "reasonably necessary to avoid... substandard width lanes [defined as a lane too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.]" These two publications can also be downloaded from the DOT website as PDFs. http://www.dot.state.wi.us/dtim/bop/bp-laws.htm "Never doubt that a small group of dedicated individuals working together can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
