“Recommendations for cyclists operating in narrow multi-lane roads (typically ~12 ft or less)” Presentation by Martin Pion, B.Sc. (M.Sc.) March 12, 2012

* Certified Cycling Instructor, League of American Bicyclists, since 1998 * Adult cyclist promoting bicycle transportation for over 40 years Research scientist with degrees in Physics & Math., London University, England

Police car followed from before A to Baptist Church driveway at B

N. Florissant at First Baptist Church of Ferguson

Pulled over by Ferguson Police Officer at Ferguson 1 st Baptist Church Officer started writing a ticked for obstructing traffic and also checked Ferguson municipal code: Sec Riding on roadways See next slide

Ferguson Municipal Code Sec Riding on roadways Sec Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles. (Code 1973, § (2), (3); Ord. No , § 1, ) State law reference- Similar provisions, RSMo (Emphasis added)

Florissant Rd. near Baptist Church

The following graphics illustrate the safety issues inherent in trying to share a narrow lane on a multi-lane arterial road or collector Graphics provided courtesy of ©Keri Caffrey, Inc., founder of Savvy Cycling, and used with permission.

Minimum recommended clearance: 3 ft between motor vehicle & cyclist on roads with moderate speeds

Ohio state law A cyclist should maintain a safety zone two feet or more from a curb or edge of pavement. Since the recommended minimum clearance for passing a cyclist (at moderate speed) is 3 feet and the width of larger motor vehicles with extending mirrors is 8 feet or more, a lane must have at least 14 feet of usable width too allow motor traffic to pass safely within the lane. When passing parked vehicles, cyclists should ride a predictable line outside the “door zone” danger area. Some open doors extend 4 feet from the car.

Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space The Ford F-Series was the best-selling U.S. passenger vehicle in SUVs and trucks were the top-selling vehicle types until mid They remain a significant percentage of the vehicles on the road today. ___________________________

Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space Only a Mini Cooper can give a bicyclist anywhere near 3ft of passing clearance in a 12ft lane

Bicyclist’s Essential Operating Space When a bicycle driver operates far enough left to encourage other drivers to change lanes, she gets more operating space, 6-8 ft of clearance is typical (making a 3 ft law irrelevant). ___________________________

Location of incident on N. Florissant Rd., Ferguson The first slide following is a repeat of the plan view shown earlier, shortly before the point where the cyclist pulled off the road into the entrance to the First Baptist Church of Ferguson

N. Florissant at First Baptist

Controlling the lane encourages motorists to change lanes, or wait behind you until it’s safe to pass

Bicycling along Florissant Rd: videotaped at 2:15 pm the following day - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Short video clip: Florissant Rd. adjoining First Baptist Church Note: May need to click or double-click video to play

Avoid interpretation issues in local ordinance by amending it as follows: Sec Riding on roadways. Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride two abreast in lane. Where bicyclists have the option of a bicycle lane or shoulder, they may choose to use it instead of controlling or sharing the travel lane.

We should be encouraging safe competent cycling for many reasons: Air pollution Ozone hole Road building/ widening/runoff Sprawl Climate change Resource depletion Foreign oil dependency/fo reign wars Obesity/lack of exercise epidemic