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Parent asked specifically about CA not TX ... thus my reply. I'm not commenting on what you or I feel is safe simply what is written. Debating the "IF's" unde

Parent asked specifically about CA not TX ... thus my reply. I'm not commenting on what you or I feel is safe simply what is written. Debating the "IF's" under that I'm not interested in.

btrettel 8y ago
Here's the relevant California law: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=21202 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySectio.... > 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: > [...] > (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. Seems similar to Texas aside from Texas having a more clear definition of when a lane can be shared. To me, it's obvious that a typical 10-11 foot lane can not be safely shared, particularly with 3 foot passing laws in place. I believe that was the motivation behind the 14 foot figure, which came from a court case as I recall. Go measure the width of the lanes you typically drive on and do the math. Also consider parking on the right side of the road (door zone). Knowledgeable cyclists keep a certain distance from doors because few drivers look before opening their doors.
- u801e 8y ago
  > Go measure the width of the lanes you typically drive on and do the math. For what it's worth, the typical lane width on a surface street is 10 feet [1], though in older designs, they may be up to 12 feet wide. [1] https://nacto.org/publication/transit-street-design-guide/transit-lanes-transitways/lane-design-controls/vehicle-widths-buffers/ https://nacto.org/publication/transit-street-design-guide/tr...

Parent asked specifically about CA not TX ... thus my reply. I'm not commenting on what you or I feel is safe simply what is written. Debating the "IF's" under that I'm not interested in.

btrettel 8y ago

Here's the relevant California law: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=21202 https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySectio.... > 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: > [...] > (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. Seems similar to Texas aside from Texas having a more clear definition of when a lane can be shared. To me, it's obvious that a typical 10-11 foot lane can not be safely shared, particularly with 3 foot passing laws in place. I believe that was the motivation behind the 14 foot figure, which came from a court case as I recall. Go measure the width of the lanes you typically drive on and do the math. Also consider parking on the right side of the road (door zone). Knowledgeable cyclists keep a certain distance from doors because few drivers look before opening their doors.

u801e 8y ago
> Go measure the width of the lanes you typically drive on and do the math. For what it's worth, the typical lane width on a surface street is 10 feet [1], though in older designs, they may be up to 12 feet wide. [1] https://nacto.org/publication/transit-street-design-guide/transit-lanes-transitways/lane-design-controls/vehicle-widths-buffers/ https://nacto.org/publication/transit-street-design-guide/tr...