4 ms·

When you say “slow down traffic”, by how much? Do you actually mean you can’t go over the speed limit?

Georgelemental 3y ago
Posted speed limit in that area is 35 mph, faster than the bikers I see there. In practice traffic doesn't slow much because cars just pass the bikes, but I am a new driver and doing so always makes me nervous (especially as the road curves somewhat, so visibility can be limited).
- mulmen 3y ago
  I took driver's education in 2000 so I admit I may be a bit rusty. When I learned to drive the "speed limit" was the upper limit. I don't recall there being a universal right to a minimum speed, that is unique to freeways. Depending on your state the bicyclist may be required to yield if they are delaying some number of other vehicles, but that is likely to vary. Maybe you can educate us on why you believe you have a right to pass these cyclists.
  - pandaman 3y ago
    Most states have rules against driving too slowly and impeding normal flow of traffic. Furthermore, most states have specific rules for bicycles and other slow vehicles to drive furthest to the right they can with exceptions allowed for left turns, obstacles etc.
- lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago
  > always makes me nervous I primarily drive and am often nervous driving around pedestrians and cyclists. The reason for this feeling is that I understand, even if subconsciously, how easy it would be for me to harm them with my vehicle. If I imagine myself being the cyclist it's more worrying that I can't control other vehicles that could easily harm me. I constantly remind myself that the road was made for people and drivers are just one class of person -- the most dangerous one to others on the road at that. The best piece of advice I could give is to slow down and match the bikers' speed if you don't feel safe passing.
  - Gibbon1 3y ago
    I clipped a bicyclists back tire once. Flipped him over. He was mostly okay. Probably 95% his fault because he was riding against traffic, on the sidewalk, and ran a red light. I still felt really bad. When people come up with reasons why that won't care because logically they'll be in the right if something bad happens. All I can think is either they are sociopath or that they deeply lack life experience.
blacksmith_tb 3y ago
Well that would require enforcement, which seems to be rarer all the time. Which means changes to infrastructure (protected bike lanes, blocking through traffic on side streets, etc.) are more likely to produce good results.

Posted speed limit in that area is 35 mph, faster than the bikers I see there. In practice traffic doesn't slow much because cars just pass the bikes, but I am a new driver and doing so always makes me nervous (especially as the road curves somewhat, so visibility can be limited).

mulmen 3y ago
I took driver's education in 2000 so I admit I may be a bit rusty. When I learned to drive the "speed limit" was the upper limit. I don't recall there being a universal right to a minimum speed, that is unique to freeways. Depending on your state the bicyclist may be required to yield if they are delaying some number of other vehicles, but that is likely to vary. Maybe you can educate us on why you believe you have a right to pass these cyclists.
- pandaman 3y ago
  Most states have rules against driving too slowly and impeding normal flow of traffic. Furthermore, most states have specific rules for bicycles and other slow vehicles to drive furthest to the right they can with exceptions allowed for left turns, obstacles etc.
lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago
> always makes me nervous I primarily drive and am often nervous driving around pedestrians and cyclists. The reason for this feeling is that I understand, even if subconsciously, how easy it would be for me to harm them with my vehicle. If I imagine myself being the cyclist it's more worrying that I can't control other vehicles that could easily harm me. I constantly remind myself that the road was made for people and drivers are just one class of person -- the most dangerous one to others on the road at that. The best piece of advice I could give is to slow down and match the bikers' speed if you don't feel safe passing.
- Gibbon1 3y ago
  I clipped a bicyclists back tire once. Flipped him over. He was mostly okay. Probably 95% his fault because he was riding against traffic, on the sidewalk, and ran a red light. I still felt really bad. When people come up with reasons why that won't care because logically they'll be in the right if something bad happens. All I can think is either they are sociopath or that they deeply lack life experience.

blacksmith_tb 3y ago

Well that would require enforcement, which seems to be rarer all the time. Which means changes to infrastructure (protected bike lanes, blocking through traffic on side streets, etc.) are more likely to produce good results.