BIKE: right turn lanes on 360

[Thorne]

UTC might take it up, Lane, but I think they should not.  The traffic laws are
working as they are and the officer in question seems to have the riders' best
interests at heart.  I'd rather the riders be educated about safe riding
practices than have the UTC get involved in making special exceptions to
well-understood traffic principles.

Jeff


------ Original Message ------

> Good morning fair Austin cyclists!
>
> On another list today, I learned about some cyclists out on 360 being
> informed by APD that (a) APD is involved in stepping up enforcement of
> traffic laws among cyclists (and hopefully other road users), and (b)
> that proceeding straight through an intersection from a right
> turn-only lane to the shoulder on the other side is a ticketable
> offense.  The riders merely got a warning this time, but were told by
> the officer that the proper way to handle these intersections is to
> merge into right-lane traffic prior to the intersection, and move back
> over to the shoulder once through the intersection, and that tickets
> will be issued for such offenses starting very soon.
>
> Needless to say, this law is counter-intuitive to cyclists, as well as
> arguably impractical and downright dangerous.  I'll spare the
> discussion of why as I suspect all/most on this list already know and
> agree.  (Oh, silly me! ;-)
>
> Now, strictly speaking, I believe the officer was correct, as Texas
> law says that, with few exceptions, cyclists are bound by the same
> rules as motorists, so if it's right-turn only with no exception for
> bikes made explicit, then it's right turn-only.
>
> I will say, though, that I suspect the "right turn only except
> cyclists" signs on bike routes around town do tend to convince
> cyclists that this is normal, safe and expected behavior where there
> is a right turn-only lane, sign or no sign.  And, arguably it should
> be.
>
> Here's my feeling: right turn only should not apply to cyclists on 360
> (and possibly other places without explicit exception for bikes
> currently).  It seems the most straight-forward solution (as opposed
> to changing Texas law or APD/TxDOT enforcement policy) is to get
> signage out there to make exception for bikes explicit.
>
> Is this something that UTC would take up?  Is that the right place to
> start?
>
> Comments?  Discussion?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Lane
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Lane Wimberley, Wayport, Inc.,  512.519.6195 (voice)  512.519.6200 
> (fax)
> Southpark Commerce Center II, 4509 Freidrich Lane, Austin, TX 78744
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
When in doubt, ride your bike … or at least write about it!

Fred Meredith
P.O. Box 100
Manchaca, TX 78652
512/282-1987 (voice)
512/282-7413 (fax)
512/636-7480 (wireless)
visit <http://2merediths.com> for writings and photos


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