Seeking Advice on How to Tackle This Bridge
04-21-24, 10:34 PM
#26
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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.
04-22-24, 12:08 AM
#27
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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.
04-22-24, 08:28 AM
#28
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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.
04-22-24, 09:26 AM
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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.
04-22-24, 10:02 AM
#30
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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.
04-25-24, 11:09 AM
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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.
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04-26-24, 11:19 AM
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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)
04-26-24, 12:41 PM
#34
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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)
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04-26-24, 01:39 PM
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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.
04-26-24, 02:28 PM
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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.
04-26-24, 02:40 PM
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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.
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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.
04-26-24, 02:47 PM
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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.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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“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.
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04-26-24, 03:14 PM
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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.
04-26-24, 03:54 PM
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Hey, you don't hit me then it was a fair pass.
04-26-24, 07:01 PM
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Still haven't won the lottery, though.
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04-26-24, 08:26 PM
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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.
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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
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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.
04-27-24, 11:11 AM
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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.
04-27-24, 11:12 AM
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05-01-24, 12:42 PM
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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.
