Rules of Road apply to motorists and cyclists
Wheel Life column - December 09, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute
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Rules of Road apply to motorists and cyclists |
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The laws of physics, therefore, require that we observe the laws of traffic to minimize the probability of bicycle-mass colliding into car-mass with vector forces that release kinetic energy in undesirable ways, such as bending a wheel or breaking a bone. The importance of observing traffic laws was highlighted by a letter to this paper on November 29, in which Cornelius Bouman complained of being held responsible by ICBC for a crash between his car and a bicycle that occurred when he was making a right turn. He argued that the cyclist was at fault for hitting his car, since bicycles often appear out of nowhere as if beamed down from the Star Ship Enterprise. Oh, if only that were true. Many wet and weary cyclists have wished that Scotty could transport them instantaneously over a hill or across a noisy highway - but we've learned to accept reality for all its pleasures and pains. Which is why it is so important that both cyclists and motorists understand and observe traffic rules. Traffic can be a beautiful ballet, with rules of the road as its choreography. Everything works fine when all road users understand the moves and rhythm, but it can be disastrous when somebody invents their own steps. Bouman makes a valid point when he argues that cyclists should not pass traffic on the right. This prevents cyclists from being hit by a right-turning motorist. But traffic rules also require that drivers making a turn must signal early (many motorists start signaling when they begin a turn rather than well before as required by law), and yield to other road users, including vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. This means that before drivers turn they must check left and right, and only proceed when their path is clear. Unfortunately, provincial traffic law does little to help cyclists decide exactly what lane position to use when riding through an intersection. The law states the cyclists must "ride as near as practicable to the right side of the highway". Some people interpret this to mean that cyclists must always ride at the right edge of the roadway, no matter what. But bike safety experts recommend that in the following situations cyclists should ride in the traffic lane, away from the curb:
When you are riding through an intersection or past driveways, assume that any vehicle may be turning right. Ride behind, rather than adjacent to vehicles that may turn. The best way to cycle through a particular intersection depends on several factors, including your riding speed and style, the speed of traffic, and the lane width. For more information we recommend "Bike Sense; The British Columbia Bicycle Operator's Manual." It is currently out of stock but soon to be reprinted. Contact the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition at 250-480-5155, email bikesense@gvcc.bc.ca, or visit the Bikesense website at www.bikesense.bc.ca to request a copy. Take a CanBike course, which includes both training in theory and on-bike riding skills. For information call Ray Hall at 380-0172 or visit the Riding with Ray section of the GVCC website. |
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Much as we try to violate
them, the laws of physics apply to cyclists. We may have a few tricks to reduce friction
and wind resistance, but we haven't yet found a way to transport ourselves from Point A to
Point B without going through points in between, and we can't occupy the same time-space as
other road users.
