Joe,
I am afraid that you are misinformed and you give advice
that has been shown to lead to more accidents than the
advice I originally gave, that is why I shared it.
Oregon vehicle code is not much different than California's
and although this is not a Bicycle list, I still want to
clarify the misconceptions that many people have for the
sake of the electric Bicycle and comparable vehicles out there.
"Taking the Lane" and riding outside of a marked bicycle lane is
allowed under the same conditions in Oregon as in many other
states, you can find the applicable Oregon vehicle code articles
quoted on the following website and below I copied the article
that we are discussing here, with my comments following:
http://bikeportland.org/resources/bicyclelaws
=================================================================
814.430: Improper use of lanes; exceptions; penalty.
(1) A person commits the offense of improper use of lanes by a bicycle
if the person is operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the
normal speed of traffic using the roadway at that time and place under
the existing conditions and the person does not
ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.
(2) A person is not in violation of the offense under this section if
the person is not operating a bicycle as close as practicable to the
right curb or edge of the roadway under any of the following
circumstances:
(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle that is
proceeding in the same direction.
(b) When preparing to execute a left turn.
(c) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions
including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving
vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or other
conditions that make continued operation along the right curb or edge
unsafe or to avoid unsafe operation in a lane on the roadway that is too
narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side. Nothing
in this paragraph excuses the operator of a bicycle from the
requirements under ORS 811.425 or from the penalties for failure to
comply with those requirements.
(d) When operating within a city as near as practicable to the
left curb or edge of a roadway that is designated to allow traffic to
move in only one direction along the roadway. A bicycle that is operated
under this paragraph is subject to the same requirements and exceptions
when operating along the left curb or edge as are applicable when a
bicycle is operating along the right curb or edge of the roadway.
(e) When operating a bicycle alongside not more than one other
bicycle as long as the bicycles are both being operated within a single
lane and in a manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable
movement of traffic.
(f) When operating on a bicycle lane or bicycle path.
=======================================================================
So, please note that you are not required to stay on the "ditch" side of
the white line if it is not wise to do so, either by it being blocked,
dirty or unsafe and also if traffic cannot safely pass you anyway, then
you are actually encouraged to ride in the middle of the lane, as the
requirement to ride as close to the right side is removed under each one
of those conditions.
Please note also clause (e) allowing you to ride two abreast on bicycles
as long as both stay in the same lane and do not unnecessarily hinder
other traffic.
It appears that just about all your claims are refuted by the actual
Vehicle Code....
Cor van de Water
Director HW & Systems Architecture Group
Proxim Wireless Corporation http://www.proxim.com
Email:
[email protected] Private: http://www.cvandewater.com
Skype: cor_van_de_water IM:
[email protected]
Tel: +1 408 383 7626 VoIP: +31 20 3987567 FWD# 25925
Tel: +91 (040)23117400 x203 XoIP: +31877841130
-----Original Message-----
From:
[email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]] On
Behalf Of joe
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 10:21 PM
To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Electric + Peddle Power, Twikes etc
Just be aware that that it is illegal in Oregon (maybe other states as
well) to ride the bicycle in the vehicle lane, or to ride other than
single file.
You must stay on the ditch side of the white line, or if there is a
marked bike lane, within the bounds of that marking. Having said that, I
doubt that it is ever enforced, unfortunately in my opinion. In any
case, if you ride in the lane, you have much greater risk of losing your
life - and it's not worth it!
Joseph H. Strubhar
Web: www.gremcoinc.com
E-mail:
[email protected]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cor van de Water" <
[email protected]>
To: "Electric Vehicle Discussion List" <
[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 9:32 AM
Subject: Re: [EVDL] Electric + Peddle Power, Twikes etc
> Did you report the driver / license plate?
>
> I think about every state has a "safe passing" law
> that is clearly violated if you are hit by a passing vehicle,
> you do not need to be a lawyer to see who is wrong...
>
> Only by reporting dangerous/illegal activity can you change the
> situation by giving Enforcement a chance to pick up repeated
> offenders and being aware of the accidents that happen.
>
> It may sound counter-intuitive, but in order to have less risk
> of being hit by a close-passing vehicle, you should move further
> out *into* the lane when it is narrow.
> This manouvre is called "taking the lane" or "controlling the lane"
> and if the lane/roadway is too narrow to safely share, this is the
> only defense against Yahoos who cannot wait to squeeze by, even
> when there is too little space.
> You may have to endure a few horn-happy drivers, but it is better
> than to get too many close calls.
> For the driver the only inconvenience is that they need to switch
> lane to overtake you, just as if you were a larger vehicle.
>
> There are many people who follow their intuition and play
> Gutter Bunny, only to find that when the road is too narrow, they
> will end up in a squeeze and always lose. The two most important
> factors in traffic safety is: be predictable and visible.
> If you move off the roadway (into the gutter) then you become
> "invisible" to many drivers who only scan the lane in front of them
> and if you suddenly have to move back in the lane, for example
> because of debris in your path, you are not predictable for the
> driver that did not have you on their "radar".
>
> Just for your information - I have been on a bicycle for almost
> 100,000 miles in my life and had a few close calls, it does not
> matter whether you ride in Netherlands, California, India, or
> elsewhere, there are always inconsiderate or inexperienced drivers...
>
> Safe EV'ing, no matter if it is on 1, 2, 3, 4 or more wheels.
>
> Cor van de Water
> Director HW & Systems Architecture Group
> Proxim Wireless Corporation http://www.proxim.com
> Email:
[email protected] Private: http://www.cvandewater.com
> Skype: cor_van_de_water IM:
[email protected]
> Tel: +1 408 383 7626 VoIP: +31 20 3987567 FWD# 25925
> Tel: +91 (040)23117400 x203 XoIP: +31877841130
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:
[email protected] [mailto:
[email protected]] On
> Behalf Of Mark Hanson
> Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 2:00 AM
> To:
[email protected]
> Subject: [EVDL] Electric + Peddle Power, Twikes etc
>
>
> Hi Folk's,
>
> I'd love to peddle to work in a Twike or electric peddle motorcycle.
I
> really miss bicycling to work when I lived in Colorado with shoulders
on
> the road but here in Virginia there is not (despite whining at public
> hearings and offering to work on the road crew).
>
> I need something like a Twike or electric-peddle motorcycle where I
can
> get some exercise on the way to work, 30 miles one way (can charge at
> work) but must do at least 55mph or the bubba's will flatten me. (I
> tried riding my bike once & got smacked with a pick-up side mirror).
>
> Mark in Roanoke, VA
> www.reevadiy.org
> www.evalbum.com/1273 E-porsche
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