The Rules

[mstone]

@lordofthemark 83366 wrote:

Is directionality on a MUP with a painted center line part of the code?[/quote]

AFAIK, no.

Quote:

Similarly it is not legal for road users to obstruct traffic by simply stopping in the road, IIUC. Applies both to motor vehicles and cyclists. Does one (whether a ped or a cyclist) have a right to simply stop on the trail? So that the guidance to get to the side of the trail when stopped, and to keep to the right of the center line, only a suggestion, and not a legal requirement?

AFAIK, yes.

In theory, there are some trails (like W&OD or MVT) where an entity with statutory authority to create regulations (like NVRPA or NPS) could create rules with a penalty associated with them, but I don’t see any such in their published regulations (http://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/NVRPARegulations.pdf). So they’re covered only by the “rules” (http://www.nvrpa.org/uploads/Files/RULESRevised.pdf page 25) which, if violated, mean that you “may” have to leave.

That said, I’d assume that the courts would factor in your adherence to the guidance when determining whether you were behaving reasonably, even if not following the guidance isn’t specifically punishable in itself. Which is exactly how things should work–your liability should depend on whether you were being responsible or negligent, and your behavior and the behavior of the other party should both be considered.

Note that this is the normal state from the standpoint of natural (and common) law. Until cars came along, this is exactly how traffic worked–you were responsible for not running over people, and you could be held liable if you did. It’s an aberration that we instituted a system where people in the natural state of moving on their own two feet are banned from public space, even though we’ve gotten used to it (and even expect to be banned and are pleasantly surprised when we’re actually allowed to walk around ).

Edit to add: see, “RULES”. I’m 100% on-topic.

[CaseyKane50]

@mstone 83332 wrote:

Of course there’s a legal requirement. 46.2-904 “A person riding a bicycle … on a sidewalk, shared-use path, … shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.” I didn’t realize there was confusion about that.

Beyond the legal requirement, there are several other advantages to calling your passes.

1. People being passed have an opportunity to thank you for your courtesy
2. People coming towards you, especially other bicyclists might hear your signal and perhaps ease up a bit to allow for a safer pass.
3. Those people you pass might be advocates for more and better infrastructure, leaving them with a positive impression of bicyclists can’t hurt when the debates are raging about whether jurisdictions should be adding and improving the infrastructure.

[bobco85]

@CaseyKane50 83385 wrote:

Beyond the legal requirement, there are several other advantages to calling your passes.

1. People being passed have an opportunity to thank you for your courtesy
2. People coming towards you, especially other bicyclists might hear your signal and perhaps ease up a bit to allow for a safer pass.
3. Those people you pass might be advocates for more and better infrastructure, leaving them with a positive impression of bicyclists can’t hurt when the debates are raging about whether jurisdictions should be adding and improving the infrastructure.

4. People who hear you call your pass will be more likely to call their passes in the future.
5. People farther up the trail from the person you are passing might hear you and become more aware of your presence, making your upcoming passes safer.

[Fast Friendly Guy]

@NicDiesel 82956 wrote:

THERE ARE OTHER RULEEZ?!?!?!!!?!11?!!

What is this madness you speak of?

NicDiesel,
See:
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

Don’t feel bad. I had to ask the same question.

[rcannon100]

@Fast Friendly Guy 83416 wrote:

NicDiesel,
See:
http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

Don’t feel bad. I had to ask the same question.

Actually, the Rules we speak of are these: http://kolotc.wordpress.com/2014/04/18/the-rules/

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