Share the Road/Path
Marin Voice (IJ), August 30, 2007
Recently, there has been considerable news about incidents on Marin roads and multiuse paths. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) has been at the forefront of educating both motorists and cyclists to significantly reduce these incidents.
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that “a cyclist is subject to all of the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle”. This clearly means cyclists must obey all traffic laws, and MCBC urges all cyclists to do so. It’s also noteworthy that cyclists have as much a right to use the roads as motorists, except for some very restrictive facilities such as freeways. Review the CVC language on MCBC’s website – it’s critical to know your rights!
Sharing the road requires education of both motorists and cyclists. The most frequent complaint from cyclists is that motorists pass too closely. The CVC states that “an overtaking motorist must pass to the left at a safe distance without interfering with the safe operation of the overtaken vehicle or bicycle”. Another complaint from cyclists is that motorists often speed.
Motorists’ major complaint of cyclists is that they don’t obey traffic laws, primarily stopping at stop signs and red lights. MCBC emphasizes that cyclists who don’t obey traffic laws are giving cyclists in general a bad name. Cyclists have three reasons for stopping and obeying traffic signals: 1) it’s the law; the traffic ticket is typically more than $100; 2) it’s not safe; you could get seriously injured or killed; 3) you’re not showing the motorists and other cyclists that you respect the law if you don’t stop.
Like sharing the road, sharing the path also requires education for all users. Cyclists using pathways should be very patient and slow down when overtaking path users. Other pathways users should maintain control of children and dogs; any sudden change in direction can cause an accident, even if the overtaking bicycle is passing slowly. Everyone should stay to the right except when passing.
On both the road and the path, there are big differences in speed. The overtaking vehicle or bicycle has the primary responsibility for making a safe pass. This means slowing down and leaving sufficient room. On a path, the cyclist should ring his/her bell or politely announce “on your left” or “bicycle” upon approaching slower traffic.
Common sense and courtesy should be the final test for Sharing the Road and Path. Put yourself in the overtaken position; how would you feel if you were being passed by a vehicle or cyclist that acts like you?
For Share the Road and Path to work successfully requires users to recognize that their own behavior is what they can change. Pointing the finger at the other user will not solve problems. Taking personal responsibility can significantly increase safety on the roads and paths and the enjoyment of all users.
MCBC is in the process of developing an enhanced education program for Share the Road and Path. We encourage you to visit our website for more information, www.marinbike.org.
Kim Baenisch is the Executive Director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC).
Stephen Hesson is the Chair of MCBC’s Share the Road Committee.
