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Re: Driving Pet Peeves



In <Pine.OSF.3.91.950623091154.10919C-100000@paul.spu.edu> Dai F Toyama <borap@paul.spu.edu> writes:

>On Thu, 22 Jun 1995, Tom Holub wrote:

>> In article <3saatt$tf@nnrp2.primenet.com>,
>> Steph Greenberg <steph@primenet.com> wrote:
>> )
>> )OK, let's take this tack: If you are going to occupy a lane, it is 
>> )illegal to double up, at least here in California.
>> 
>> No, it is not.  If you believe differently, please cite the relevant code.
>> 

>A simple question.  If it's not illegal to double up, could two motor-
>cycles go parallel to each other on a lane?  What about if a motorbike
>tries to sneak through the heavy traffic jam?  I thought they were both
>illegal in this country.  And if they are in fact illegal, should they
>not be applied to bicycles also?

First, I'll note up front that I'm in Washington, not California,
so your mileage may vary: traffic laws are a state matter, not
federal.

Second, there are many regulations that apply only to motor
vehicles, not vehicles in general.  A law that applies only to
motor vehicles, e.g. motorcycles, does not apply to non-motor
vehicles, e.g. bicycles, horse carts, etc.

Third, specific legislative action in many states specifically
permits cyclists to ride two-abreast on public roadways, e.g.

RCW 46.61.770  Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. 
  (2)  Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride 
more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set 
aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.


Fourth, note that this rule does not grant the cyclists exemption
from any other rules of the road, such as:

RCW 46.61.427  Slow moving vehicle to pull off roadway.  
  On a two-lane highway where passing is unsafe because of 
traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow 
moving vehicle, behind which five or more vehicles are formed 
in a line, shall turn off the roadway wherever sufficient area 
for a safe turn-out exists, in order to permit the vehicles 
following to proceed.  As used in this section a slow moving 
vehicle is one which is proceeding at a rate of speed less 
than the normal flow of traffic at the particular time and 
place.

--

Josh@WOLFE.net  is  Joshua Putnam / P.O. Box 13220 / Burton, WA 98013
                     "My other bike is a car."                   
 Bike parts for sale: finger Joshua_Putnam@gonzo.wolfe.net for list.


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