“Recommendations for cyclists operating in narrow multi-lane roads (typically ~12 ft or less)”

Presentationby Martin Pion, B.Sc. (M.Sc.)

March 12, 2012

* Certified Cycling Instructor, League of American Bicyclists, since 1998

* Adult cyclist promoting bicycle transportation for over 40 years

• Research scientist with degrees in Physics & Math., London University, England

Police car followed from before A to Baptist Church driveway at B

N. Florissant at First Baptist Church of Ferguson

Pulled over by Ferguson Police Officer at Ferguson 1st Baptist

Church

Officer started writing a ticked for obstructing traffic and also checked

Ferguson municipal code:Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways

See next slide

Ferguson Municipal Code Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways

Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles. (Code 1973, § 42.92.3(2), (3); Ord. No. 96-2809, § 1, 1-9-96) State law reference- Similar provisions, RSMo 307.190.

(Emphasis added)

Florissant Rd. near Baptist Church

The following graphics illustrate the safety issues

inherent in trying to share a narrow lane on a multi-lane

arterial road or collector

Graphics provided courtesy of ©Keri Caffrey, Inc.,

founder of Savvy Cycling, and used with permission.

Minimum recommended clearance:

3 ft between motor vehicle & cyclist on roads with

moderate speeds

Ohio state law

A cyclist should maintain a safety zone two feet or more from a curb or edge of pavement. Since the recommended minimum clearance for passing a cyclist (at moderate speed) is 3 feet and the width of larger motor vehicles with extending mirrors is 8 feet or more, a lane must have at least 14 feet of usable width too allow motor traffic to pass safely within the lane. When passing parked vehicles, cyclists should ride a predictable line outside the “door zone” danger area. Some open doors extend 4 feet from the car.

Bicyclist’s Essential

Operating Space

The Ford F-Series was the best-selling U.S. passenger vehicle in

2006. SUVs and trucks were the top-selling

vehicle types until mid-2008. They remain a

significant percentage of the vehicles on the road

today.

___________________________

Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space

Only a Mini Cooper can

give a bicyclist anywhere near 3ft of passing clearance in a

12ft lane

Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space

When a bicycle driver operates far enough left to encourage other drivers to change lanes, she gets more operating space, 6-8 ft of clearance is typical (making a 3 ft law irrelevant).

Location of incident on N. Florissant Rd., Ferguson

The first slide following is a repeat of the plan view shown earlier, shortly before the point where the cyclist pulled off the road into the entrance to the First Baptist Church of Ferguson

N. Florissant at First Baptist

Controlling the lane

encourages motorists to

change lanes, or wait behind

you until it’s safe to pass

Bicycling along Florissant Rd: videotaped at 2:15 pm the following day - Wednesday,

February 29, 2012

Short video clip: Florissant Rd. adjoining First Baptist Church

Note: May need to click or double-click video to play

Avoid interpretation issues in local ordinance by amending it as follows:

Sec. 44-364. - Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride two abreast in lane. Where bicyclists have the option of a bicycle lane or shoulder, they may choose to use it instead of controlling or sharing the travel lane.

We should be encouraging safe competent cycling for many reasons:

Air pollution

Ozone hole

Road building/widening/runoff

SprawlClimate change

Resource depletionForeign oil

dependency/foreign wars

Obesity/lackof exerciseepidemic