Quiz on bikes and cars from the Road Guy
April 23rd, 2007,
The StarTribune has a blog called Road Guy, which I read for the first time today. Its author is described this way:
Roadguy is Jim Foti, a transportation geek who is fascinated with the ways that Minnesotans get around town. Join him for smart remarks, navigational nuggets and adventures in the Twin Cities and beyond.
I kind of like the term “transportation geek” and have to admit that, much to my surprise, it’s come to apply to me.
I’m glad to see that the Road Guy pays attention to issues that affect cyclists and pedestrians, and I thought I would pass on this quiz that he provided in a post. I’ve included the answers, I’m afraid, because my main interest is in spreading knowledge about Minnesota state laws:
Answers to the bike quiz
- How many feet of clearance are Minnesota motorists required to give when passing cyclists? Three (state law)
- Where are cyclists allowed to ride on sidewalks in Minneapolis?
- Anywhere except business districts or where posted
- Are cyclists restricted to the bike lane on streets that have a bike lane? No (state law)
- Is a motorist required to yield the right of way to a cyclist riding in a crosswalk? Yes (state law)
- In Minneapolis, is it legal to park and attach your bike to:
- A tree? No
- A signpost? Yes
- A parking meter? No
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Thank you for this information, Bill. Always good to have a refresher.
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:40 pm
6. Do cyclists need to follow the same traffic laws as any other vehicle? Yes (state law)
That means cyclists who disobey stop signs (all too common), ride more than two abreast (common on back county roads), etc. are breaking the law. “Share the road” doesn’t only apply to motorized vehicles.
April 23rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Absolutely, Chip. Some other things that bicyclists do that they should not do: go down the wrong side of the street and ride on sidewalks downtown . I frequently tell cyclists to not do the former when I see them doing it.
One thing that motorists do that they don’t need to do: give an unnecessarily wide berth to cyclists. I’ve had cars pass me, when I’m biking on the extreme right side of the road, by swinging way into the oncoming lane, even going up a hill! Not necessary!
Also, motorists should not wave bicyclists through at four-way stops; everyone should just behave as if they are all equal vehicles at the intersection. The same goes for cars at intersections where they have the right of way. Sometimes I’m stopped on my bike at a stop sign and a motorist stops, with no stop sign, to wave me through. I’d rather just have them obey the rules of the road.
More education is sorely needed for both cyclists and drivers.
April 24th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Bill, you hit the nail on the head right there.
Thanks for letting me chime in.