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US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders Unfortunately, even with wide shoulders and good visib

US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders Unfortunately, even with wide shoulders and good visibility, "accidents" still happen thanks to unalert/hostile drivers (check out the recent terrible death of Mike Hall in Aussieland) Rail trails are pretty cool to be honest, and there is a good and much needed network here. Of course, it will never be as extensive or well maintained as auto roads are here in the US for political reasons

maxerickson 9y ago
US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders Yes, that's why I said "(not limited access roads, just highways)", because of the ambiguity in the word "highway". A couple of states do allow bike access on a large portion of limited access highways, mostly in the west. We don't have bike trails because they are expensive and little used (because of population density more than anything). That's a political reason, it isn't exactly a surprising or awful reason.
wiredfool 9y ago
Bikes aren't allowed on Interstates in Urban Areas. They are allowed on Interstates, frex on I90 from just outside of Issaquah to Spokane. It's not all that pleasant or fun, but they are allowed. Shoulders suck as a place to ride though, it's where all the road debris hangs out, waiting to puncture a tire.
- maxerickson 9y ago
  It's a minority of states that allow access on rural interstates.
  - wiredfool 9y ago
    Access is based on a first amendment argument. I'm not sure it's a matter of permitting it, as they can't forbid it.
    - maxerickson 9y ago
      Here's Michigan's law forbidding pedestrian and bike use: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(disednjhhuuyovzmbvhdxfys))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-257-679a http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(disednjhhuuyovzmbvhdxfys))/... Are you sure that Washington doesn't just have a provision in state law requiring action to close a shoulder? https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.160 https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.160

maxerickson 9y ago

US bikes aren't allowed on interstates, but they are allowed on major roads which do have nice shoulders Yes, that's why I said "(not limited access roads, just highways)", because of the ambiguity in the word "highway". A couple of states do allow bike access on a large portion of limited access highways, mostly in the west. We don't have bike trails because they are expensive and little used (because of population density more than anything). That's a political reason, it isn't exactly a surprising or awful reason.

wiredfool 9y ago

Bikes aren't allowed on Interstates in Urban Areas. They are allowed on Interstates, frex on I90 from just outside of Issaquah to Spokane. It's not all that pleasant or fun, but they are allowed. Shoulders suck as a place to ride though, it's where all the road debris hangs out, waiting to puncture a tire.

maxerickson 9y ago
It's a minority of states that allow access on rural interstates.
- wiredfool 9y ago
  Access is based on a first amendment argument. I'm not sure it's a matter of permitting it, as they can't forbid it.
  - maxerickson 9y ago
    Here's Michigan's law forbidding pedestrian and bike use: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(disednjhhuuyovzmbvhdxfys))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-257-679a http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(disednjhhuuyovzmbvhdxfys))/... Are you sure that Washington doesn't just have a provision in state law requiring action to close a shoulder? https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.160 https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.160