Missed connection

[Tania]

@Dickie 130008 wrote:

and even Dread’s sense of humor.

You really ARE sleep deprived.

(more biscuit pics plz)

[ShawnoftheDread]

You spelled “especially” with only four letters. Very strange.

[Tania]

Me: taking the right lane on Gallows (two lanes each direction) before the bike lane starts

You: a motorcyclist who decided to pass me on my left in my lane with a car to your left

Way to share the road, buddy.

[bobco85]

From my morning commute today:

Me: riding in the right lane on Beauregard St in Alexandria between Reading Ave and Rayburn Ave which is before it goes from 2 lanes to 3 lanes thinking, “Hmm, traffic is a bit lighter today; I like this!”
You: impatient driver behind me letting loose a bunch of…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Me: looking behind me at the beeping
You: moving into the left lane while using your turn signal, passing me, and then using your turn signal to move back into my lane in front of me all in a safe manner
Me: amused that you somehow combined your impatience and frustration with safe driving

[cvcalhoun]

Me: Cycling northbound on Old Georgetown Road (3 lanes each way), taking the right-hand lane.
You: Driving behind me, steadily honking at me to get out of your lane.

Okay, I’m kind of used to this–it seems to happen about every other day. But in this case, the incident happened as we were approaching the sign that specifically says, “Bicycles may use full lane.” Seriously, dude? Not knowing the laws applicable to cyclists is bad enough, but surely you know how to read a sign!

[Tania]

You: the trail ninja doing burpees in the middle of the W&OD in the dark

Me: the bicyclist who actually DID see you in time but skidded to a stop on purpose. I hope I made my point?

[jrenaut]

You: Man driving a BMW M4 (I didn’t know they made an M4) on 9th NW
Me: The cyclist keeping up with traffic in the right lane

Look, I know the Prius in the left wasn’t going quite as fast as you wanted to. And I’m sorry that simply DRIVING the BMW isn’t enough to prove your masculinity. But nearly losing control as you gunned it to pass on the right on a 25 mph road through a dense residential neighborhood just to go sit at a light two blocks away is sociopathic. I hope a bird poops on your car.

[Emm]

you: cars driving down E. Monroe in Del Ray
Me: behind the cars, watching them avoid the newly-ish installed speed bumps by swerving into the bike lane, and almost hitting a cyclist (who was very visible, and luckily slammed his brakes to avoid the car entering his lane.)
you: didn’t even appear to realize you almost hit someone with your SUV…

I’ve noticed this alot lately. Some of the new speed bumps on E. Monroe in Del Ray are not as smooth on their incline or something, so even at really slow speeds (5-10 MPH) they knock and jolt your car around bad. Cars are now swerving into the newly installed bike lane to avoid the speed bumps. Anyone know the legality of this? I highly doubt Alexandria Police will enforce this even if it’s illegal, but I’m curious…

[mikoglaces]

@Emm 131765 wrote:

you: cars driving down E. Monroe in Del Ray
Me: behind the cars, watching them avoid the newly-ish installed speed bumps by swerving into the bike lane, and almost hitting a cyclist (who was very visible, and luckily slammed his brakes to avoid the car entering his lane.)
you: didn’t even appear to realize you almost hit someone with your SUV…

I’ve noticed this alot lately. Some of the new speed bumps on E. Monroe in Del Ray are not as smooth on their incline or something, so even at really slow speeds (5-10 MPH) they knock and jolt your car around bad. Cars are now swerving into the newly installed bike lane to avoid the speed bumps. Anyone know the legality of this? I highly doubt Alexandria Police will enforce this even if it’s illegal, but I’m curious…

Of course it’s illegal to drive a car in the bike lane. I would hope the police would enforce if brought to their attention. Sounds very dangerous.

[dasgeh]

@mikoglaces 131794 wrote:

Of course it’s illegal to drive a car in the bike lane.

If only it were so cut-and-dried. Va Code 46.2-100 states:

Quote:

“Bicycle lane” means that portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds.

Cars have to be legally allowed to enter bike lanes to turn right. I think it makes sense that cars are legally allowed to enter bike lanes to avoid obstacles, so long as they do so safely (turn signal, look, give right of way, not hit cyclists).

I’ve heard ACPD (Arl) state that cars are allowed to drive in bike lanes for 100 yards. I don’t think they have any authority to support that.

There may be a law that prohibits the avoidance of speed bumps, but that may only apply to crossing the double yellow.

[Emm]

@mikoglaces 131794 wrote:

Of course it’s illegal to drive a car in the bike lane. I would hope the police would enforce if brought to their attention. Sounds very dangerous.

I ask because I saw 3 drivers do this in front of an Alexandria Police officer a few weeks ago and the officer did nothing (s/he at least didn’t swerve around the speed bumps). I assumed that perhaps Alexandria doesn’t make that illegal if a bike isn’t in the lane, but I guess it’s just they don’t enforce it. I would say 1/4 of cars on E. Monroe swerve around the speed bumps (more during rush hour I’ve noticed). It’s nice they added the bike lanes, but not great that they don’t enforce cars not driving in them.

[mstone]

just extend the speed bumps through the bike lane

[mikoglaces]

@dasgeh 131802 wrote:

If only it were so cut-and-dried. Va Code 46.2-100 states:

Cars have to be legally allowed to enter bike lanes to turn right. I think it makes sense that cars are legally allowed to enter bike lanes to avoid obstacles, so long as they do so safely (turn signal, look, give right of way, not hit cyclists).

I’ve heard ACPD (Arl) state that cars are allowed to drive in bike lanes for 100 yards. I don’t think they have any authority to support that.

There may be a law that prohibits the avoidance of speed bumps, but that may only apply to crossing the double yellow.

Looks like you are right that it’s not cut and dried. Va Code 46.2-100 says what it says, but it’s only a definition. Most bike lanes are too narrow for a car to fit within. Another page on this website states: “Motorists may not drive, stop or park in a bicycle lane. Drivers may cross a bicycle lane to access on-street parking but may not stop or stand in a bicycle lane for any reason.” http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bicycle-facilities/#Lanes

[scoot]

@mikoglaces 131818 wrote:

“Motorists may not drive, stop or park in a bicycle lane. Drivers may cross a bicycle lane to access on-street parking but may not stop or stand in a bicycle lane for any reason.”

Unless they just feel like doing it… Then it’s totally okay.

[dasgeh]

@mikoglaces 131818 wrote:

Looks like you are right that it’s not cut and dried. Va Code 46.2-100 says what it says, but it’s only a definition. Most bike lanes are too narrow for a car to fit within. Another page on this website states: “Motorists may not drive, stop or park in a bicycle lane. Drivers may cross a bicycle lane to access on-street parking but may not stop or stand in a bicycle lane for any reason.” http://www.bikearlington.com/pages/biking-in-arlington/bicycle-facilities/#Lanes

That page is cool and all, but not the law. VA Code is the law. VDOT has some interpretations. BikeArlington, while wonderful, isn’t even a governmental organization.

[Author]

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