Originally posted: FEBRUARY 26, 2016 How to Pass a Bicyclist On most roads, motor vehicle drivers must move into the next lane to pass safely. Knowedgeable bicyclists will often ride near the center of a narrow travel lane to encourage this. [Image credit: i am traffic] Motor vehicle drivers pass bicyclists safely countless times every day. When done improperly, however, the results can be tragic. Some drivers say that they are unsure of what to do when they encounter bicyclists on the road ahead. It’s therefore important to increase public awareness of … [Read more...]
Paying for Shared Roads
By Steven Goodridge NCDOT and the state legislature are facing an inescapable reality: not only are fossil fuel tax revenues not keeping up with the costs of building and maintaining a road system that suits the speed and convenience preferences of motorists, but the state is also failing to protect public safety adequately on those state-maintained roads. The cause of the public safety problem on state-maintained roads is not the slow speed and vulnerability of bicyclists. Our humanity is a virtue for which we need never apologize. The cause of the safety problem is the high speeds at … [Read more...]
Change Lanes to Pass- A Lesson in Safety
Consensus building around a better paradigm for bicycling safety by Steven Goodridge A driver pulling a wide trailer nearly sideswipes a bicyclist in Petaluma, California The Problem Unsafe close passing, especially at high speeds, is one of the most common safety concerns expressed by bicyclists who use our state’s roadways. Beyond just frightening bicyclists, unsafe close passing contributes to a large share of car-overtaking-bicycle collisions. Although darkness, impaired driving and distracted driving are factors in many overtaking-type collisions, a growing body of evidence … [Read more...]
Rules of the Road for Electric Scooters
What are the traffic rules for electric scooters such as the Bird? What should they be? These questions are being asked by a wide range of stakeholders following the sudden influx of scooter-share activity in urban areas. Electric scooter rental offers the instant ability to travel at 15 mph between downtown destinations without physical exertion (or sweating), and without the up-front cost of purchasing the vehicle. Although they may resemble a child’s kick-scooter, electric scooter-share vehicles are not toys; nor are they to be confused with disability-assistance devices that move at … [Read more...]
Autonomous Driving and Collision Avoidance Technology
Implications for Bicyclists and Pedestrians Will autonomous cars and automatic braking systems live up to their promise to improve public safety? Or will a rush to market flawed technology create greater peril for pedestrians and bicyclists? by Steven Goodridge, Ph.D. As I pedaled my bike along the road, Mercedes driver Farhan Ghanty approached me from behind at 45 mph, engaged the self-drive function of the E-Class luxury car, and took his hands off the wheel. It was December 4, 2017; BikeWalk NC Director Lisa Riegel and I were attending an autonomous vehicle demonstration held … [Read more...]
Support Bicycling & Walking in NC – Make a Year End Donation to BikeWalk NC
Please make a year-end donation to BikeWalk NC (BWNC) - your statewide voice to our NC legislature and NCDOT.This year we worked with our partner organizations, heard from many of you and talked to our state representatives and senators about what matters to us – safe infrastructure for walking and cycling near our homes and businesses. Whether you walk or cycle for commuting, exercise, social or recreational purposes, we need our roads to be as safe as possible. With your help, we’ve had many successes: Protected the NCDOT Bike & Pedestrian Planning Grant Program; … [Read more...]
Businesses Urge RDU Airport Authority to Consider “The Solution”
Dear RDU Airport Authority (RDU AA), CC: Michael Landguth, President As employers and representative of businesses in the Triangle, we recognize that quality of life is a key factor in attracting and retaining skilled workers. The Triangle’s connected network of greenways, sidewalks, trails and bike lanes not only provide the obvious health benefits, but also provide recreational and transportation opportunities. However, the easy access to forested trails at what has become known as RDU Forest, is a key quality of life asset that sets this region apart and allows us to … [Read more...]
ADVOCACY SUCCESS – NEW LAW ALLOWS MOTORISTS TO CROSS SOLID CENTER LINE TO PASS BICYCLISTS
On October 1st it will be legal for motorists to cross the solid center line to pass slower-moving bicyclists. This is a big advocacy win for BWNC and the NC bicycling community as we have been advocating for this change for many years; read the BWNC discussion here. This provision is contained as Section 5.5a of House Bill 959: DOT Proposed Legislative Changes and reads as follows: (e) The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another on any portion of the highway which is marked by signs, markers or markings placed by the Department of Transportation stating or clearly … [Read more...]
How to Pass a Bicyclist
Motor vehicle drivers pass bicyclists safely countless times every day. When done improperly, however, the results can be tragic. Some drivers say that they are unsure of what to do when they encounter bicyclists on the road ahead. It's therefore important to increase public awareness of how to pass a bicyclist safely. Safe passing of a bicyclist on ordinary roads requires following three simple steps: 1. Slow Down. 2. Look and Wait until Safe. 3. Change Lanes to Pass. Let's look at each step in detail: 1. Slow Down Your first responsibility as a driver is to not hit other … [Read more...]
Critical Mind Share
A chicken-and-egg relationship exists between common public beliefs and the interpretation of laws. For bicyclists, our legal right to the road may hinge on the prevailing concept of operations for marked travel lanes. Bicyclist advocates and safety instructors hold a concept of operations where other drivers change lanes to pass bicyclists safely, and where it is reasonable or even recommended for a bicyclist to ride in a lane position that makes it visibly clear that same-lane passing is not viable. Some motoring advocates, however, hold a concept of operations where motorists pass … [Read more...]