As we are approaching Little Red Riding Hood, as well as the other cycling events of the summer, I thought it may be a good idea to review some of Utah's cycling laws. When an angry motorist yells, honks, blows smoke, or lets you know they are not thrilled with your choice of exercise you will feel confident that you are doing what is legal.
While riding in groups, and particularly at these events, I challenge you to look around and watch for not only poor cycling etiquette but lawbreaking as well. Communities have to approve an event's permit to pass through. Trenton recently denied anymore cycling events to pass through their town. I can only speculate as to why. Regardless of the reason, as cyclists we want to not only be safe but give members of the community a positive impression of the sport
There are many rules pertaining to cycling and not all of them need to be covered. I'm proceeding with the assumption that you all have bikes with brakes, and are staying off the sidewalks etc. I will be posting the ones most relevant to roadies.
“A person operating a bicycle ... at less than the normal speed of traffic ... shall ride as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway except when: (a) overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (b) preparing to make a left turn ...; (c) traveling straight through an intersection that has a right-turn only lane that is in conflict with the straight through movement; or (d) reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand edge of the roadway ...”
These are pretty straightforward. The only one I want to elaborate on is "c) traveling straight through an intersection that has a right-turn only lane that is in conflict with the straight through movement"
As a group, we actually do pretty well with this, but there are times, and I don't think it's out of any desire to be rude to cars trying to turn right, that we occasionally block the right turn lane. Please be aware and watch your bike placement when you are stopped, especially at a light that has a right turn lane.
In the below image you can see how cyclist 'c' is over far enough to allow car 'a' to utilize the right turn lane.
As a group, we actually do pretty well with this, but there are times, and I don't think it's out of any desire to be rude to cars trying to turn right, that we occasionally block the right turn lane. Please be aware and watch your bike placement when you are stopped, especially at a light that has a right turn lane.
In the below image you can see how cyclist 'c' is over far enough to allow car 'a' to utilize the right turn lane.