Its MY lane!

[plantluvver]

Just wanted to vent and bolster my need to look out for myself.

Went for a ride Monday, on a road through an industrial area, 45 MPH speed limit. Most of the way,there is either a marked bike lane on the shoulder, or totally off the road. There is a short bridge, where there is an extremely narrow curbed area, perhaps 15" wide.
I could walk on it with my bike, but only at a slow pace, it is just barely wide enough. Also, all the road debris gets kicked up and accumulates there, and I had no pump. Anyway,I got to the bridge, pulled over, and looked back. I let all traffic go by, and things were clear for about 2-4 city blocks. So I proceeded, in the center of the single lane of the road. I felt guilty, because being a bridge it was marked as a no passing zone, but I recalled reading somewhere that it is okay for cars to pass you under these circumstances (or did I read that they will do it anyway?). While crossing the bridge about 3 cars passed me, and I slowly moved over in the lane, out of timidness, but I did manage to muster enough resolve to stay about 1/3 of the way over, because I know that I need to make the drivers move over, so they think twice and pass me safely.

A full-size pick-up was last in line, and a guy shouted something unintelligible, I shouted the most overused two word sentence in the English vocabulary back, not typical of me, and luckily it was just as unintelligible as their shouting. (I have no desire to give these creeps an excuse to stop their vehicle. And I think there were two.)

I know this is a common occurence,and not remarkable in the least. I just haven't been on my bike in traffic in so long. I am sure that I will get used to it, I've ridden in the past on this road. But at the time I was feeling very self-conscious about the inconvenience I was causing these drivers. At the time I didn't notice but there is even a bicycle warning sign at this bridge.

So tell me girls, that it is MY lane, for as long as I feel I need it, whenever I feel I need it.
Some part of me wants to give it away, and jump up on that curb next time. but that would make me invisible, and the only place to go from there is over the rail

BTW, the four or five cyclists I interacted with during this trip more than compensated for these Neanderthals. Oh, and one cyclist spontaneously told me, when I told him my route home, ride in the center, not the side of the lane when I am sharing it with cars.

It is MY lane!!!!...It is MY lane!!!!...It is MY lane!!!!...It is MY lane!!!!...It is MY lane!!!!...

Mary

It is TOO my lane...

[Shimpie]

Mary, I'm proud of you. It takes a whole lot of courage to take the lane. You had every legal right to take the lane if you felt you needed too. Engineers never make bridges wide enough so bike lanes and side walks often disappear on bridges. It's also a tough decision to make when the speed limit is 45 mph. That's right on the cusp of too fast for a bike to take the lane. Once you take the lane, you're committed. You wouldn't want cars to pass you, because there's no room to share the lane and that was the reason you took the lane in the first place!

In California, if there are more than 5 cars following, a slow moving vehicle is required to safely pull over for other cars to pass. Meaning, if the safest place to pull over is when you get to the other side of the bridge, then that's where you pull over.

[plantluvver]

Don't know how old. But now that I think of it, that road was closed for a while, so why the #@#@ no improvements for bikes other than the coat of paint? No the off road path was probably put in then, so can't complain. NO SURE I CAN! If feminists stopped with the vote we'd all be on crummy second rate bikes

Actually another gripe, the bike path is closed for a sewer project for six months! About a mile of it is closed, and the actual construction area is perhaps half a block long. To rub salt into it, construction vehicles are parked in the shoulder on the OPPOSITE side of the street .

WE all know that if we were massive enough to do MAJOR DAMAGE, more thought would have been put into traffic planning for cyclists during construction!!! GRRRRRRR!

[donnambr]

Ok, now I have to know - which bridge? When you mentioned sewer work, I was thinking perhaps the bridge over Johnson Creek as a detour around the closed part of the Springwater Corridor Trail.

BTW, the 5 car slow moving vehicle thing is not the law in Oregon. You are not required to pull over, although if you are out cycling in the rural areas with only a 2 lane road, it is courteous to pull over to let back-ups of cars pass.

[plantluvver]

The bridge was the North end of town.

Along Portland Road, there is a bike trail running alongside, some is paved shoulder, some is off road. There are two small bridges, I haven't paid much attention, but one is over water (Columbia Slough?). THe other I am not sure. THe northernmost one has no bike lane, and one single lane for traffic in each direction.

I was going to send individual reply, but wanted to share this update: Yesterday, I attended the Multnomah County Bike Fair, and got a book about bicycling and Oregon Laws. Picking up the book made me feel really empowered. Then I read about the laws governing harassment. This driver did not try swerve or take any physical action against me. I WOULD have liked him over further. But I will keep in mind what it says about reporting such actions. Because I know that sooner or later, someone will have a little "fun" with me.

I am also wondering, "How many non-cyclists really know why I am crossing to move over to the middle lane, just when the road narrows?" I can see how this could look like an obnoxious move on my part.

Are there any public safety spots on this aspect of cycling traffic, (or any other for that matter) directed at car drivers?

Maybe the fact that only one guy jeered at me was actually a POSITIVE experience.

Another incident on the same trip, I wasn't sure how to cross the I-5 bridge returning from Jantzen Beach to Oregon. I pulled into a gas station for directions, waited for the guy at the pump to be freed up. He was filling the tank of an SUV. The driver was outside the behemoth, preaching about Gore's movie, (meno mem- (Menopausal memory). I wanted to interupt, so I could get on my way, and shout "tha'ts why I'm using just TWO wheels!" But perhaps he'll get the connection, eventually. He did have a cane,( but a wooden one, so he must not be too bad.), but hey, biking in some ways is easier than walking. The whole incident just seemed so ABSURD to me. I was waiting in a gas station being delayed by an SUV, for environmental reasons. ( And I didn't want to talk to him,cuz you could tell he's the kind to just KEEP talking(OOPS, guess I do too )

BACK ON TOPIC: Information is such a HUGE asset for me, in general. Everytime I want to feel empowered, I look for a book. Knowing what is in the law, instead of vaguely knowing what I think the law is, was a great releif. When I learn it better, I think it will be an enormous boost to my confidence.

The booklet is written by a cycling attorney, and he talks about cases he has pursued. So it a good reminder of how a car driver may be thinking while driving. (Because more than being RIGHT, I want to be WHOLE. )

It would be interesting to conduct a survey of attitudes toward bikes by car drivers. Has it been done?
BTW, I should have looked for the book but was too lazy just now. If anyone wants to know, just ask, I'll dig it out.

Mary

[donnambr]

Ah, Ray's book. Ray Thomas puts on a bicycle legal clinic every month or so at the Bicycle Transportation Alliance in Portland. I hear he also sometimes travels throughout Oregon to have the legal clinic in other areas. I went to one and it was very helpful. You can thank Ray for a great many cool changes in the last 20 years to the Oregon statutes relating to cyclists. Mary, you've certainly hit the nail on the head when you wonder if motorists need more education about cyclist's rights and how traffic law pertains to them. Unfortunately, the OR DMV doesn't seem to think it important and then nearly all if not all of the state legislature are motorists and not cyclists. What do they care? I'm sure that's the same in all US states to varying degrees.

I got out my North Portland bikeway map and I think I see the bridge you are referring to. Just southeast of Smith and Bybee Lakes? The map even marks it as a "difficult connection". I don't get out in that direction much, but I've found that whenever the city maps refer to a place as a "difficult connection", I need to be prepared to ride in a pretty agressive, vehicular cycling manner. Gives me flashbacks of riding in the metro Detroit area... Anyway, you'll get better at dealing with these places with time and practice. It's kind of like the TE members who have physical training regimes - we need to have urban cycling psychological training regimes. I highly recommend attending one of the legal clinics as part of that training regime.

P.S. I went to Jantzen Beach last week for something I could only get at Toys 'R Toxic, and it took me a freakin' hour of riding around dodging the drunk drivers coming out of Hooters before I found the bike entrance to the I-5 bridge. I talked to someone in the city DOT, and they say the new bike signage is being made right now.

[plantluvver]

P.S. I went to Jantzen Beach last week for something I could only get at Toys 'R Toxic, and it took me a freakin' hour of riding around dodging the drunk drivers coming out of Hooters before I found the bike entrance to the I-5 bridge. I talked to someone in the city DOT, and they say the new bike signage is being made right now.

I can imagine! I was across the street from Safeway, and saw cyclists coming off the bridge. I couldn't remeber if there were two lanes while I was on the bridge. I asked for directions at the gas station across the street, which seemed wrong, because then I would be following a Northbound entrance ramp. Entering at Safeway didn't seem right cuz then I would be riding in the wrong direction in the cycling lane, which HAD to be wrong.

Luckily for me, a mechanic/cyclist from Community Cycling Center happened by, and walked me across the street . You may even know him, cuz I ran into him on Saturday, too. Vlad, who wears a vest labelled "powered with potatoes.", curly hair Didn't recognize him on Saturday, I kept thinking I would remember those curls, DUH, he had a helmet while biking .

All in all though, most of my miles on this route are pleasant ones, but the psychological factor will take some training. Sometimes, even when driving a car, I think of how I am only inches away from death, separated by a thin skin of metal .

BTW: It is just a kick to pass an entire stream of cars waiting to get onto I-5 from Marine Drive My sailing races start at 6:00 PM, so I get to ride while they are parked .

Mary

[Susan Otcenas]

Plantluvver,

See page 48 of Ray's book. ORS (Oregon Revised Statutes) 814.430 basically says it's OK for a cyclist to take the lane when "..other conditions that make continued operation along the right curb or edge unsafe or to avoid unsafe operation in a lane on the roadway that is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side." <my emphasis added>

It's not uncommon for motorists to think we have to ride all the way over to the right regardless of the conditions, but that's incorrect. We CLEARLY have the right to ride in the lane in such a way that vehicles CAN'T pass if WE think that it's unsafe or too narrow.

This knowledge is power. I'd bet half the police officers around here aren't even aware of it.

Of course, you can be right and still be dead (ie. dead right) so you must always be careful. Nonetheless, I ALWAYS take the lane when crossing narrow bridges, which I do every day on my way to and from TE's warehouse. And I take it early enough that I don't find myself squeezed off the road with no place to go. My intentions are clear.

This kind of confidence riding in traffic takes time. I should also mention that I wear an eyeglass mirror so I always know precisely who is coming up on me, and how close they are behind me, so I'm never surprised.

Hope this helps.

Stay safe!

Susan

[plantluvver]

What I did was approach closely to the bridge, and I stopped by the edge of it. .I do not know how to look behind me. I let everyone go by in the cluster. There wasn't anyone within three or four blocks. Of course, starting from a standstill slowed me down. I just didn't have the confidence to get to the middle of the lane, and I inched over, as each car passed. (and I am out of shape and I was SLOW). I knew that as long as I made them cross into an oncoming traffic lane they were likely to pay attention. But I just slowly drifted to the right, just from the noise of the cars, and fear.

The bridge was only two lanes, cars were crossing the double yellow line to pass me. And it is not a terribly long bridge, but only because I was going so slow. OH I also forgot, there is a bike warning sign there.

The single lane was a big part of the intimidation factor. If there had been another lane for them to ride in, I wouldn't care, it would be their own fault if I slowed them down, because they should have moved over sooner. Oh, I forgot to mention, it was after 4PM, so there is the evening rush hour aggression factor. The harassment was merely vocal, they didn't play chicken with me, I did kind of expect a beeer can, based on my impression of the vehicle . Also, some or all of these people were heading toward I-5 northbound, which is a major backup this time of day. It will back up all the way to the Expo Center. I wouldn't doubt if I could beat cars on this commute, once I gain a little speed.

Oh, is it legal for them to pass me? I thought I read this somewhere. But I always thought the no pass was due to an obstructed veiw of oncomng traffic. And if there was an oncoming vehicle, who would they take their chances with?

I know that my seating position needs some fixing and that should help my vision. I'll look for a mirror, too. Bought one a LONG time ago, and I misplaced it before I ever used it Can you move it from pair to pair of glasses, or do you need a dedicated pair of glasses? I don't have glasses light enough for night riding yet.

Also, I would not have made this post in any other bicycling forum. I know this is all too common, and it is worse in most other pllaces. But I expected to receive the emotional support from you other gals. I am just so glad that this is now available.When I think back on my high school days during the early 70's there were few coed sports at my school. And the boys' programs were extremely hostile to new girls' sports. Their coaches didn't want the pie cut into more peices. I joined the track team as a sort of political statement, although I despised running.

Oh, I am curious do they still excuse girls from gym for their "monthly"?

You gals are great!
Mary

[spokewench]

If you need to take the lane - take it! Sometimes you need to be aggressive to be safe (OF COURSE USE YOUR COMMON SENSE) Most of the time, most cars will recognize what you are doing and give you the room you deserve. It is those yahoos that squeeze you and yell at you that are the minority, but they are a very forceful and vocal minority! I don't always follow my own advice and have been known to get angry with drivers and do stupid things like chase them down! BUT, don't do this. It usually doesn't get you anywhere and could be very dangerous. Just be polite, wave and smile and say "have a nice day". Your attitude when you finish your ride will be better and hopefully, they will get the message that courtesy counts.

Is this wishful thinking? I hope not!

[Nanci]

In Florida, it is legal for a car to pass a cyclist, crossing over a double yellow line, if they can see ahead that it is clear and safe to pass.

Nanci

[emily_in_nc]

In Florida, it is legal for a car to pass a cyclist, crossing over a double yellow line, if they can see ahead that it is clear and safe to pass.

Really?!

I thought the whole point of a double yellow line was for places where there's not enough visibility to pass.

Emily

[plantluvver]

Yeo the more I think about it, the reason for those double lines has nothing to do with what is in front of you, but what might be coming in the opposite direction. If it is unsafe to be in the opposite lane, it doesn't matter whether anything is in front of you or not. He can't see you either,so all those cars that passed me were wrong to do so.

So does Florida think it is okay to moosh a cyclist, if you decide, "OOPS, not a good time to pass!"? A bicycle is shorter than a car, but I would think you need the same amount of room, IF you intend to leave the lane, not do a "close pass". It seems there is no advantage to the cyclist from this law. Of course, that may not have been the intent.
Then again, where does Florida need no passing zones? I suppose on bridges, but what other elevation is there.

Mary

[Geonz]

I've made a lot of progress in thinking assertively and - though I don't have to do it often - being an active member of the traffic flow, even if it's a slow flow. This means that when I'm approaching a bridge, trying to gauge my speed so that cars can get by but then... guys, I'm here, and accelerating. (I hate it, too.) Once I've visually slowed and pulled off and stopped... I'm in a different category - somebody who is nervous and should be "out of the way." I try to be pedaling strong and looking strong ... and I am fairly strong, even on the big bikes, but I think that's mostly illusion anyway and that if you toss it into a low gear so you're pedaling fast, the drivers will *think* you're strong and know what you are doing.
SOme of them will not wish you to exist anyway. Let's face it, thsoe people are always out there, and it takes courage and antacids to face them directly. Those folks probably aren't going to be changed by my presence - but there's a whole lot of other folks whose attitudes are gradually changed by my presence (and the presence of other cyclists), as they realize "oh, yes, cyclists do use this road, and they know how to drive." When there are more of us, it stops being "wow, a crazy lady on a bike!" and - hopefully! - evolves into "oh, cyclists have to get over the interstate, too. Maybe spending a little more tax money to make it a little wider would be a good idea." Or... "oh! she can do it, maybe I can do it too!" (Or, "See, Betsy, biking to work is *not* ludicrous! We're going to the bike shop!" ) And can you imagine... 50 people a day... 50 people a day... riding over that overpass... singing a bar of Alice's Restaurant ... [okay, the ENG 101 teacher across the hall just showed a Jackson Browne clip for some reason... ]
...

[plantluvver]

Thanks for the dose of encouragement. Yes, part of the reason I am there is to bring the next 50 riders aboard. Show them that they don't NEED to sacrifice the environment's heath, the vision of social equity (the whole world can't own cars, can they?), and a major portion of their earnings to fuel those petroleum vampires.

Now that I think about it, there is nothing else I do that has as few drawbacks as cycling. I suppose walking is MORE sustainable, but I don't want to be a total martyr, and how would I get those next 50 aboard?

I know that I was back in the road long before any car was near. I looked at a mirror at one LBS $15 !
I bought one years ago, and it must be here SOMEWHERE!

Mary