Seeking Advice on How to Tackle This Bridge
#26
Senior Member
I'm usually on the road, but if I see a large truck or bus coming from behind and there is sidewalk available, I dive onto the sidewalk. In the videos above, the bridge crossing is short, and, it appears there is more broken pavement on the right edge of the roadway than the sidewalk which appears smoother. Also, you have continuous sidewalk over the bridge, not uneven or interrupted by driveways, another vote. But if you stay on the road and the lanes are not wide enough, take the lane. Also, try biking with another person, it commands more respect and implies witness. Also, a camera symbol and "camera" on the back of a vest can help.
There was a recent story about a service where you can call if you get pulled over by the police, with a lawyer in full two-way contact. The moment the police realized they were on camera, they got more polite. "You called a lawyer for a ticket?" "Yep." Cameras help, especially if they are known.
There was a recent story about a service where you can call if you get pulled over by the police, with a lawyer in full two-way contact. The moment the police realized they were on camera, they got more polite. "You called a lawyer for a ticket?" "Yep." Cameras help, especially if they are known.
#27
Wow, you really believe all this? Do you really see the o.p. 'diving' onto that sidewalk if they need to bail? I don't. And I don't guess they would have much luck trying to line up total strangers interested in being ride along witnesses for their added security. I could tear your other points to pieces too, but I'll leave it here.
#28
Junior Member
Don't hesitate and take the lane, riding closer to the center line than to the curb. Traffic has two lanes; force them to pass you on the other lane, don't let them think they have room in your lane or to straddle the lanes.
#29
Senior Member
Traffic won't have two lanes anymore if he is controlling one of them. I don't know of the road or bridge that isn't flowing 4x the amount of traffic it was built for 25 years ago. He has the sidewalk as an option, traffic does not. Can he legally take the full lane? Maybe. Probably. I don't know his States laws. Should he? IMO, no. Not even if legal. He has to ride that route day after day. Doesn't take long to get a reputation as the 'road hogging asshat'. I KNOW that my commute goes easier because on the couple squeeze points on my route I make it easy for cars to pass me IN MY LANE. Makes them happier, and more inclined to do the pass in a respectable way.
Last edited by Leisesturm; 04-22-24 at 09:29 AM.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,970
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
Liked 3,052 Times
in
1,387 Posts
Commuting it was always doing whatever was safest to get where I was going. If I couldn't keep with traffic speeds then that sidewalk would be my choice. I feel for you. I commuted areas that didn't have bikes in mind. I like the idea of holding back and letting the surge of traffic go if you stay on the road.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,639
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,911 Posts
In this instance I'd normally take the lane maintaining a position such that a car cannot pass without a lane change. I do this so a drive won't think he can squeeze by when there another car to his left.
However, if traffic is heavy on a longish stretch, and I feel I'm causing a backup, I'll move over once the car behind has slowed to my speed, allowing him to squeeze by. I'll maintain that right edge position as long as drivers are slowing and passing at not much over my speed.
In considering my approach, understand that I'm from NYC and very used to close passes, but not fast close passes.
However, if traffic is heavy on a longish stretch, and I feel I'm causing a backup, I'll move over once the car behind has slowed to my speed, allowing him to squeeze by. I'll maintain that right edge position as long as drivers are slowing and passing at not much over my speed.
In considering my approach, understand that I'm from NYC and very used to close passes, but not fast close passes.
Likes For FBinNY:
#33
Senior Member
Personally, I'd grab the tag # from the videos and send them to law enforcement. Those passes were in clear violation of NH laws.
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,639
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,911 Posts
Personally, I'd grab the tag # from the videos and send them to law enforcement. Those passes were in clear violation of NH laws.
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#35
Senior Member
True, but his options have already been pointed out by others. A) - take the full lane, or B) use the sidewalk. Sometimes, if a driver gets a visit from law enforcement reminding them of their road responsibilities towards cyclists, it just may prevent a repeat of the behavior towards him and other cyclists in the future.
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 740
Bikes: 1978 Bruce Gordon, 1977 Lippy, 199? Lippy tandem, Bike Friday NWT, 1982 Trek 720, 2012 Rivendell Atlantis, 1983 Bianchi Specialissima? 1998 Serotta Atlanta
Liked 206 Times
in
120 Posts
I found that if I left the same time everyday, took the lane riding hard when I needed to but got out of the way when I could, my fellow commuters saw that I respected them and they would, generally, respect me. Hostility seemed to increase if I missed my usual time. Past tense because I'm now retired but I would still use the same approach.
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,639
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,911 Posts
True, but his options have already been pointed out by others. A) - take the full lane, or B) use the sidewalk. Sometimes, if a driver gets a visit from law enforcement reminding them of their road responsibilities towards cyclists, it just may prevent a repeat of the behavior towards him and other cyclists in the future.
Based on that. I don't buy lottery tickets, nor do I report motorists.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,639
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,911 Posts
I found that if I left the same time everyday, took the lane riding hard when I needed to but got out of the way when I could, my fellow commuters saw that I respected them and they would, generally, respect me. Hostility seemed to increase if I missed my usual time. Past tense because I'm now retired but I would still use the same approach.
Bike commuters are rare enough to be remembered, and your conduct determines how you'll be remembered.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#39
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 30,118
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Liked 1,648 Times
in
1,110 Posts
Based on the "violation" being reported is presumably because the bicyclist was outraged at being passed closer than he was comfortable with and the lack of any contact or obvious appearance of any danger to the bicyclist from the passing shown in the video, and the proximity of the adjacent empty sidewalk, a bicyclist is more likely to win at Powerball, even if he doesn't buy tickets, than get a positive official response from anyone for making a gratuitous "report" of traffic violations based on this video evidence.
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,970
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
Liked 3,052 Times
in
1,387 Posts
Hey, you don't hit me then it was a fair pass.
#41
Senior Member
Still haven't won the lottery, though.
Likes For Bald Paul:
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,639
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,480 Times
in
1,911 Posts
I have sent video of a truck "rolling coal" on me to the local sheriff. Didn't think much of it, until about 2 weeks later when a deputy showed up at my door to return the USB drive the video was on. He said the operator had been issued a citation and given a warning not to do it again.
Still haven't won the lottery, though.
Still haven't won the lottery, though.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#43
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 30,118
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Liked 1,648 Times
in
1,110 Posts
I have sent video of a truck "rolling coal" on me to the local sheriff. Didn't think much of it, until about 2 weeks later when a deputy showed up at my door to return the USB drive the video was on. He said the operator had been issued a citation and given a warning not to do it again.
Still haven't won the lottery, though.
Still haven't won the lottery, though.
#44
Been Around Awhile
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Burlington Iowa
Posts: 30,118
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
Liked 1,648 Times
in
1,110 Posts
Likes For I-Like-To-Bike:
#45
Happy banana slug
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Posts: 3,940
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 261, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
Liked 1,758 Times
in
1,030 Posts
Thanks for all your advice and inputs. Here is what I am thinking. First and foremost, leave 15 minutes earlier. Then, just before the bridge, there is a traffic light. If I am the first one at the light and it is red, as was the case when I shot the video, take the sidewalk as there will likely be several cars behind me. Thankfully I have to take a right turn at the end of the bridge and road widens quite a lot, so it should be relatively risk free. If I am the last one to clear the light, then I have some buffer between the cars behind me so I can take the full lane. If I am in the middle of the traffic then there is not too much gap between me and the car in front, so I can still take the full lane. And when I take the full lane, I should be more towards the left half of the lane.
On the way back, I am not in the bridge traffic for this long, so I can take the lane and also the traffic is usually crawling in the evenings.
On the way back, I am not in the bridge traffic for this long, so I can take the lane and also the traffic is usually crawling in the evenings.
Likes For Korina:
#46
Full Member
Thread Starter
Personally, I'd grab the tag # from the videos and send them to law enforcement. Those passes were in clear violation of NH laws.
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
Rules-Traffic Safety | Department of Transportation (nh.gov)
Last edited by Amitoj; 07-01-24 at 07:23 AM.
Likes For Amitoj: