Pointing at Drivers?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Is that a legal right ot ride two abreast out into the traffic lane?

I thought it was legal if cyclists needed to take the whole lane for safety reasons. ...If I'm mistaken, please let me know!

I suggest you check the vehicle code for your state. I live in Massachusetts, and riding 2 abreast is not legal here.

From the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Chapter 85: Section 11B Bicycles; operation and equipment; regulations; federal product safety standards, effect; races; violations; penalties

Operators of bicycles shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) The operator shall ride single file on any way except when passing.

But what I found interesting is that I couldn't find a reference to where a bicyclist should ride relative to the road. As in, close to the right, or in the center of the lane, or... I generally stay as far to the right as I feel is safe, but far enough out in the road that drivers know that I am there and that they will need to go around me. If I feel that conditions are unsafe to ride to the side of the lane, then I move closer to the center of the lane. I'm with Corsair in that I do whatever I can do to be safe among those (powered) vehicles that are much bigger than I am.

Here's a link to bike regulations in all states: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/statelaws.htm, and another for regulations in Canada and France & UK: http://www.massbike.org/bikelaw/intl_laws.htm.

--- Denise

[Gabby]

Here in my part of Florida we have either well built bike lanes or paths off the side of the road. I find most of my problems crossing intersections; the drivers here do not seem to pay attention to the pedestrian crossing lane even with me 1/2 way through waiting for the left turn traffic light to go red.

I enjoying riding the road though, in FL my understanding (if it has not changed) is that we get 4 inches from the white line for riding. Only time I get nervous is with the dump trucks going past me, normally on 2 lane roads they move over away from me.

I normally try to make sure the driver has seen me and is yielding before I move through their path; I have been known to yell from time to time.