My Morning Commute

[GovernorSilver]

@Steve O 126047 wrote:

I often Idaho on T intersections, and always if there is a bike lane. The light is as pointless for the people on bikes as the people on the sidewalk–just be sure to yield to any pedestrians crossing.

Me too. I’m such an outlaw.

Today’s morning ride quickly answered the question of whether I should ride on an airport road or not, as part of my MVT detour.

Had my new Twin Six/Bikes & Art polyester cycling cap on, in case it rained. Love it. The closeout price didn’t hurt either.

Started with my light Pearl Izumi jacket on. Took it off as soon as I got off Abingdon onto the MVT access path. Wondering if this will be the last day of the year I’ll finish my morning commute drenched in sweat.

[lordofthemark]

@dasgeh 126034 wrote:

What you did is also completely legal in Virginia. In fact, you only need to wait through 2 light cycles (or 2 minutes).

Yeah, I was excluding situations like that in characterizing my own riding.

[DrP]

@dasgeh 126034 wrote:

What you did is also completely legal in Virginia. In fact, you only need to wait through 2 light cycles (or 2 minutes).

Do you know where in the code this is? What if you know that the light won’t change? Do you have to wait the two cycles anyway? On Sunday mornings at least, George Mason and Lee Highway often have this and Williamsburg at Dominion and at Glebe won’t change with a bicycle. Among the few times I hope for cars.

[jabberwocky]

@Amalitza 126029 wrote:

You are on a bike. They are in cars. Cars go faster than bikes. Therefore, they must pass you. It is not their fault. It is an irrefutable law of nature. :p

I experience this coming into my office, where people will pass me as we approach the line to the security gate, where they have to immediately come to a full stop to wait in line to get through the gate. Basically, they are just cutting in line in front of me. But, you know, cars go faster than bikes, so… 😮

On my old commute, there were some steep hills where I would easily keep up with ~30mph car traffic. I’ve had cars try and pass me while I was maybe 10 feet from the car in front of me. They pull into the other lane, pull next to me, then sort of hover confusedly there. :rolleyes:

[Steve O]

@DrP 126058 wrote:

Do you know where in the code this is?

§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed, and (v) yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.

[dplasters]

@DrP 126058 wrote:

What if you know that the light won’t change? Do you have to wait the two cycles anyway?

I’ve been known to have an exaggerated sense of time. Key on the law being “whichever is shorter”

[DrP]

Where did all the people come form? Monday had almost no one and today was crazy-busy on the trails. I was something like 45 on the monlith on Monday and 120-something today. I swear at least 1/4 of those passed me on the Custis (and I am not that slow!) and another 20-30 rider (in the other direction, at least) between the 14th street bridge and Crystal City. What a difference 10deg seems to make. I will be curious to see what tomorrow is like if it is indeed in the 40s in the morning.

(and thank you Steve O for posting the VA code on the unresponsive red)

[Tim Kelley]

@DrP 126087 wrote:

Where did all the people come form? Monday had almost no one and today was crazy-busy on the trails.

Wasn’t Monday a federal holiday? I’d expect most people were at home wearing their slippers drinking their coffee.

[bentbike33]

@Tim Kelley 126088 wrote:

Wasn’t Monday a federal holiday?

Yes, Columbus Day. I was riding west on the W&OD for fun, not east on the Custis to work.

[DrP]

@bentbike33 126090 wrote:

Yes, Columbus Day. I was riding west on the W&OD for fun, not east on the Custis to work.

Some of us don’t get all those days off (and many coworkers could not get into the office because they do not run the trains or buses in VA – something that makes no sense to me as a New Yorker, but that is a different soapbox). It was nice having no one there. Tuesday was pretty empty too – and I do not believe that was a holiday…

[Rockford10]

@Tim Kelley 126088 wrote:

Wasn’t Monday a federal holiday? I’d expect most people were at home wearing their slippers drinking their coffee.

Or eating pancakes at Mike’s Deli and then going to work late.

[dbb]

@Rockford10 126098 wrote:

Or eating pancakes at Mike’s Deli and then going to work late.

Or just eating pancakes at Mike’s Deli

[DCAKen]

@GovernorSilver 126048 wrote:

Had my new Twin Six/Bikes & Art polyester cycling cap on, in case it rained. Love it. The closeout price didn’t hurt either.

I have one of these caps and I love it, too. I didn’t find it with a closeout price, but picked it up with some other things to use my “Get $20 off on a $50 purchase” at REI

[dasgeh]

@DrP 126095 wrote:

Some of us don’t get all those days off (and many coworkers could not get into the office because they do not run the trains or buses in VA – something that makes no sense to me as a New Yorker, but that is a different soapbox). It was nice having no one there. Tuesday was pretty empty too – and I do not believe that was a holiday…

But Tuesday was the day after a holiday.

I moved here from NY too. It’s different when there’s one major boss in town, and he gives everyone (by definition) all federal holidays off.

[DrP]

Beautiful day, if a little chilly. Fewer people out too since yesterday (40 fewer on the monolith and less than half on the MVT). I think yesterday was an anomaly. (and continuing yesterday’s conversation – DC and MD use a different schedule for buses and trains on holidays, not stop them entirely. VA really assumes no one would ride a train if they weren’t going into their gov’t office for work)

Passed one cyclist who had a propeller on his handle bars, along with several action figures. Passed too quickly to be sure who the figures were but I had the sense (felt the force?) of Star Wars figures.

[Author]

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