Road ID Safety Commercial - Disagree

[TsPoet]

Haven't seen that one. We all run in to watch the Bobke Road ID adds, love them.
So, without seeing it - what about cars turning right? I often don't do this as I'm afraid of the right hook. I'd stay just behind the rear bumper of the last car in line.
With a big bike lane and really good visibility, I'd move on up, though.

I believe this is the one you are talking about. I've never seen or heard of this 'bike box' thing, either

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh542...feature=relmfu

[Velocivixen]

We have bike boxes in Portland at dangerous intersections. Very handy.

[PamNY]

We have bike boxes at a few intersections in NYC. I don't think I've ever seen an auto driver respect them. They are useful only if the bike gets there first.

What the video describes is common (at least in Manhattan and Brooklyn) and I think legal in New York.

[Crankin]

I am not sure if it's legal here, but most cyclists do it.
If it's a dicey situation, lots of traffic, hardly any space and chance of a right hook, I take the lane. On roads around here that I am familiar with and there's lots of cyclists who do this, I will ride alongside the cars.
My DH does this in situations that are dangerous, in my opinion. He has good handling skills (excellent, really), but I don't like it. He doesn't do it when he's with me, though.

[Eden]

Seattle is experimenting with bike boxes. IMHO they only work if there is a bike lane (which in general I don't like to use as out here they tend to be up against parked cars) and then I'm not sure what exactly they accomplish.... they do make the intersection that they are at "No Right On Red" - which I do like, but you don't really need a bike box for that. I'd like to see *all* of the intersections in the city be no right on red unless signed otherwise myself.

As far as coming up on the side of traffic, it's not specifically illegal out here. For me it depends on the situation. If it is a few cars at a stop sign, I'll wait my turn. If it is heavy traffic and its not going much of anywhere, I'm not going to wait in it if I don't have to.

[Becky]

I disagree with the commercial, given the situation shown (single travel lane). I was particularly surprised to see who was dispensing that advice- none other than Bob Mionske, the bicycle lawyer! He of all people should know that this is an illegal manuever in some states.

[OakLeaf]

Are you sure it's illegal in your state?


Ohio allows passing on the right "Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle." The important word there IMO is "lines" - so it would be legal on a road with a bike lane OR a wide enough shoulder, but not when you have to thread between cars and curb, and/or take your chances on a car not squeezing you off.

Another way of looking at it - and getting the same result - is whether the road is wide enough for THEM to pass YOU safely without going into the adjacent lane. If the answer is no - i.e., if it's a situation where you should take the whole lane - then it's no fair for you to have it both ways when traffic stops for a light.

That would be my practice whether or not I'd looked it up.