Rules of road: Bicycles may ride abreast -- sometimes
Several readers have written in with the impression that any time they spot bicycle riders side-by-side in the same law, they're seeing a violation. Not so.
Here's what the Maryland Drivers Handbook says the subject:
Riding single file on roadways or trails is safer, but you may ride two abreast if not impeding traffic.
That's all it says, but the unwritten corrollary to that would be that once two bicyclists cruising down a little-used road sense a vehicle coming up behind then, they should quickly fall into single file to let the car or truck pass. It's a metter of simple courtesy.
Drivers, meanwhile, need to hold on to their patience long enough to let the bicyclists complete that maneuver. Most will do so in a reasonable amount of time.
If they don't, the horn is not the answer. (Actually, horns are almost never the answer to any driving problem.) If the bicyclists are daydreaming, a horn blast can startle them and cause them to lose control. If they seem to be willfully delaying a driver, a dirty look upon finally passing should suffice.
Comments
I think most cyclists are pretty good about yelling "Car Back" and falling into line.
That being said, I like to sometimes ride two-abreast with my friends on city streets, because, like taking the lane when alone, it forces drivers to fully change lanes to pass you, rather than attempting to unsafely pass you within a narrow lane (6-8 inches of room instead of 3 feet).
Posted by: Jed | May 11, 2010 12:21 PM
Quick addition- that info regarding two abreast comes from ยง 21-1205 of the Maryland Transportation Code. When looking it up, I was actually a bit surprised that apparently bicyclists aren't permitted to regularly take the full lane.
Posted by: Bossi | May 11, 2010 4:15 PM
Bossi,
While techinically correct, almost all lanes in the city are substandard width or do not have a smooth shoulder--meaning you are OK to take the lane just about anywhere in Baltimore.
Posted by: Jed | May 11, 2010 4:56 PM
Interesting situation with a hybrid car is that I (cyclist) may not hear the car back there. I'm fine with a short horn toot letting me know they are back there waiting. Emphasis on short toot, and not sitting on my back wheel. I think most regular bike riders will not be rattled by this.
Posted by: Fran | May 12, 2010 12:55 PM