No Passing Zone on W&OD?

[DanB]

Here’s a question for those of you who are steeped in the intricacies of Virginia bicycle laws: Does a solid yellow line in the middle of the trail represent a suggestion or a requirement? An even finer point would be whether it applies to passing pedestrians. Any thoughts?

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The W&OD bridge over I-495
There is a solid line for the entire length of the bridge even though it is straight and wider than most of the trail.

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The curve south of the bridge with limited visibility
The solid line begins at the curve.

Topic

[Crickey7]

My sense is that crossing that line breaks no law, but were you to be involved in an accident while doing so, the presumption of fault would lie with you.

[americancyclo]

I don’t think there are any State guidelines about trail lane markings, but here’s the guidelines for usage from NVRPA

W&OD Trail Guidelines

• Always travel to the right of the center line
• Slow down and use caution when approaching or overtaking other trail users
• Cross roads only at designated crossings; stop and look both ways before crossing
• Travel slowly when the trail is congested
• Be sure to look for trail users approaching from the opposite direction before passing
• Be alert to changing trail conditions
• Abide by all posted trail and stop signs
• Headphone use, while not recommended, should be with one ear bud and at low volume
• Do not approach wildlife; obtain permission from pet and horse owners before approaching
• Plan your W&OD trip with weather and your physical abilities in mind
• Know how your equipment works and how to make simple repairs, carry a repair kit
• Carry a map, always know where you are
• Wear a safety helmet when riding
• Use the trail with a friend
• Carry water and high-energy snacks when traveling long distances
• Wear gloves and kneepads to prevent injury
• Stretch before and after exercising
• Wear a hat and sunblock
• Be courteous to other trail users
• Self-monitor and control your speed; faster users always yield to slower users
• Give a clear, polite signal with voice, bell or horn at least 2-3 seconds before passing
• Children, animals and other trail users may act unpredictably, pass with care
• Horses, then pedestrians, have the right-of-way, cyclists must yield to both
• Allow maximum distance between you and other trail users when passing
• Do not block the trail when stopped, move all equipment to the side away from traffic
• Keep pets on a short leash and under control at all times, the best place for pets is on the right shoulder of the trail, next to their owner
• Do not stop on or fish from bridges

http://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/trailrules.pdf

[jnva]

The lines don’t always make sense. I think the Custis only has a solid center line.

[consularrider]

@jnva 94877 wrote:

The lines don’t always make sense. I think the Custis only has a solid center line.

What he said. You will see that there seems to be no rhyme or reason reason to whether the MUP center stripe is dashed or solid throughout the region. I don’t think you can interpolate from the legal status of road lane striping.

[Steve O]

@americancyclo 94874 wrote:

W&OD Trail Guidelines

Yes, the key word is “guideline,” not rule:

[Phatboing]

I just interpret the solid yellows as “use caution”, because they seem to be around wonky corners and such. And on the not-common-enough occasions that I use the Custis, it’s been a giant wonky corner (I’ve even scared the beezus out of someone while peeking around a blind corner – he thought I was going to come barreling into him, I think).

[Author]

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