Enough of this "As Far to the Right as Practicable " Crap!
[Baltimore Spokes: Please note that Maryland law allows cyclists to "take the lane" when the width of the lane cannot be safely shared by a car and cyclist side by side. AASHTO defines that as as least 14' and most of our road lanes are 12' or less.]
From here on out on certain roadways I am taking the lane. No more of this "as far to the right as practicable" crap! I am sick and tired of being passed too close. The law/ordinance says cyclists have to ride as far to the right as practicable. What this translates to is as long as there is no road hazards, debris, broken pavement, etc. on the right hand side of the roadway cyclists are to be close to the curb. The problem is as far to the right as practicable opens the door for motorists who are in too big of a damn hurry to wait to pass safely to pass too close almost hitting a cyclist. It has happened to me way to many times now on certain roadways and I am sick of it. I am going to take the lane from here on out. What I mean by take the lane is ride in the right hand tire track of the travel lane. This will mean I am about 3' to 4' off of the curb instead of 1' to 2'.
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