I recently posted an article on The Warren Firm site, explaining the laws that pertain to cyclist in Virginia. One article focused on the equipment needed and the other article was on rules of the road when cycling on Virginia roads. I received a great email from Allen Muchnick who is on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Bicycle Federation. Allen pointed out to me that one of the explanations was confusing and probably incorrect. I was glad to hear from him and we corrected the confusion information.
He then send me an email on lane control. He was nice enough to allow me to post this information.
From Allen:
”As a traffic cycling instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists, I teach bicyclists to control their travel lane by riding near the center unless each of three conditions apply at once:
1) the bicyclist is significantly slower than immediately overtaking traffic,
2) the travel lane width is shareable (i.e., at least 14 feet wide), AND
3) the bicyclist is not approaching an intersection or driveway where a vehicle could turn right.
In other words, bicyclists should practice lane control by default and only share lanes laterally when they can do so safely. Unfortunately, the prevailing belief among the general public, most law enforcement officers, and even most experienced bicyclists–that bicyclists should generally hug the right edge of the roadway–is pretty much the opposite.”
The Virginia Code says stay to the right as close as is safetly possible. Allen makes a great point that being on the right is not alwasy the safest place to be. Thanks again Allen.
