Rules of the road

[frogfacepierre]

So today my friend and I were cruising home from work when we were rudely interupted by the police. apparently it is illegal to ride two abreast(side by side) on the road. during this whole fiasco the cop was trying to scare us by waving some stupid $140 fine so we pleaded ignorance so he let us off. I went to the DOT's rules of the road website and they said nothing about riding 2 abreast and its illegal nature. Has anyone had this same problem? Does anyone know if that infact is the state law?

[The Goat Killer]

Could be a local ordinance? :confused:

[Danimal]

So today my friend and I were cruising home from work when we were rudely interupted by the police. apparently it is illegal to ride two abreast(side by side) on the road. during this whole fiasco the cop was trying to scare us by waving some stupid $140 fine so we pleaded ignorance so he let us off. I went to the DOT's rules of the road website and they said nothing about riding 2 abreast and its illegal nature. Has anyone had this same problem? Does anyone know if that infact is the state law?

I know Ted W. had a run in with the fuzz this week in Shakopee on his lunch ride and they preached the same tune. I guess these coppers have nothing better to do than to harass riders with petty made up laws, even if they are legitimate laws... give us a break! Go knuckle down on the low life scumbag thugs that harass the common taxpayers on a daily basis and cut us some slack, we at least have jobs and contribute to society.

[flombe]

I know Ted W. had a run in with the fuzz this week in Shakopee on his lunch ride and they preached the same tune. I guess these coppers have nothing better to do than to harass riders with petty made up laws, even if they are legitimate laws... give us a break! Go knuckle down on the low life scumbag thugs that harass the common taxpayers on a daily basis and cut us some slack, we at least have jobs and contribute to society.

Yeah, but you know how it goes. Start out riding two abreast and you will rot in prison for murder. I am sure there is a study somewhere...

[tedsti]

Yup, that is right. The damn sherriff has nothing better to do than ride our butt yelling at us on his loudspeaker. We were all on the shoulder and he just sat behind us for for about 30 seconds yelling at us. I have been meaning to look to see if it is illeagal to ride 2 abreast but haven't done it yet.

[tedsti]

Found it!! I knew someone posted it a while back. It says you are not allowed to ride MORE that 2 abreast. That means 2 abreast is OK.

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/169/222.html

[nigel]

Hrmm, I got mixed feelings on this one. I road ride a lot and sometimes you wanna ride 2, but since most drivers dont know how to drive around cyclists riding 2 or sometimes even 1 they get mad at us which they should not but do and will continue to do. Now there is a time and place for it as well, some idiot riders think its great to ride 2 abreast during rush hour on the river road causing a looooooong backup in traffic, then when people finally pass they get mad at you, thus causing cars to even get mad when your alone and someone in a car does not have the balls to pass you, and that line forms and suddenly your the bad guy when you did nothing wrong.

2 abreast is fine, just a time and a place for it me thinks........and as a driver can i say that recumbent tandems 2 abreast (yes i do see them more than i want) take up waaaaaaaaay to much road and should NOT be allowed to do so!

[Danimal]

Found it!! I knew someone posted it a while back. It says you are not allowed to ride MORE that 2 abreast. That means 2 abreast is OK.

http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/169/222.html

Ted, maybe you should forward this to the Shakopee Sheriffs office e-mail. Attention to the entire department! I would.

[tedsti]

The part that got me was that this was on a back road with a wide shoulder and we were all on the shoulder. There was nobody in the actual lane.

[rideharder]

Hrmm, I got mixed feelings on this one. I road ride a lot and sometimes you wanna ride 2, but since most drivers dont know how to drive around cyclists riding 2 or sometimes even 1 they get mad at us which they should not but do and will continue to do. Now there is a time and place for it as well, some idiot riders think its great to ride 2 abreast during rush hour on the river road causing a looooooong backup in traffic, then when people finally pass they get mad at you, thus causing cars to even get mad when your alone and someone in a car does not have the balls to pass you, and that line forms and suddenly your the bad guy when you did nothing wrong.

2 abreast is fine, just a time and a place for it me thinks........and as a driver can i say that recumbent tandems 2 abreast (yes i do see them more than i want) take up waaaaaaaaay to much road and should NOT be allowed to do so!

living just off river road i would have to agree with Nigel. there is a time and place for it. i know that river road was not designed for bike on the road so it does pose a problem. fedaral standards say that each rider needs 3 feet of surface to ride safely. even on side roads and country roads riders dont know how to yield to autos when there is not enough room. the standard also says cyclists car ride on the road with out interupting the normal flow of traffic. this all comes from a 6 in thick book of federal traffic control regulations.

[guest_s]

From what I understand, you can ride 2 abreast as long as you are not impeding traffic. I would assume that if you have two or more lanes and you and another rider take up a lane, it's okay. But if there is only one lane and cars can't get past you without going into the oncoming lane, I would assume it's not okay. At least those are the rules I understand and follow.

I actually like ride two abreast and taking up a lane. I think it's a lot safer that way. I know some motorists have a fit about it, but I don't care about them. They are in too much of a hurry anyway.

Speaking of that. A guy zoomed past mara and I on our way back from trailwork tonight. He beat us to a red light....:scream:....wow! Then I decided to get in front of him again and take that lane, only because he was being a jerk by cutting us off and in way too much of a hurry.

Back to the point.....riding 2 abreast is okay, just don't do it when the road is limited width and it causes too much of a problem for cars.....common sense I guess.

[frogfacepierre]

I actually like ride two abreast and taking up a lane. I think it's a lot safer that way. I know some motorists have a fit about it, but I don't care about them. They are in too much of a hurry anyway.



Back to the point.....riding 2 abreast is okay, just don't do it when the road is limited width and it causes too much of a problem for cars.....common sense I guess.

Thats how I feel but my friend and I were pulled over on a four lane road. I guess the next thing to do is either go to the station or the court house and show them their own law and see what they have to say.

It's good to hear a lot of input from everyone and knowing I'm not the only one who's had this problem.

[tedsti]

I found, well refound, the bicycle rules. Does anyone know where the rules are that state you must give a cyclist 3 feet when you pass?

[B.A.]

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sti/bikelaws.html

[stoneage]

back road with a wide shoulder and we were all on the shoulder
Then definitely forward the statute to the police department. It's OK to remind them of the rules. It is safer to ride two abreast with a group, because the pack isn't strung out on the road as far, making it easier for vehicles to pass. You ARE traffic when on the road with all the rules and responsibilities, so a little rant. STOP for stop signs, signal your turns and move to the right for other traffic if possible. Your actions help the whole community.
BTW, the three foot rule has been in place since 1995.

[crux]

In addition riding two abreast is safer because drivers are more likely to see the group and respond to it as if the riders were a slow moving auto. Normally drivers do not see cyclist and drive right into us causing headaches on both sides. Since we ride we are more apt to see cyclist on the road, but the person on there cell phone drinking coffee and checking to see how they look in the mirror is not really paying attention to the road much less cyclist.

Then you also get driver who think that you are doing the world a disservice by riding a bike and that they are superior to a cyclist and decide to push you off the road to teach you a lesson.

Drivers and cyclist need to chill on the road and learn to play nice togther. As a cyclist who commutes my main goal is to make sure that I'm seen even though the bike has no reflectors.

[BKocka]

go to www.sharetheroadmn.org

and then go to any local bike shop that carries the wallet size road riding rules- and get one for yourself to keep with you when you ride. Then if a cop stops you and says something you can bust that little sucker out and prove him or her wrong.

and 2 a breast is totally legal.

[guest_s]

Another word on lane discipline. When you are riding on a road with parked cars, stay in your lane....don't weave in and out of parked cars. A driver isn't going to see you when you get to the next car and pop out into the driving lane. It's best to just stay in the driving lane at all times. Again, some clueless drivers might get annoyed with you, but it's better to annoy them then get nailed by a car, or car door, because you are trying to hug the curb and parked cars.

[guest_s]

Not sure if this is just me, but I have noticed many more drivers being more tolerant of cyclists lately. Last summer it seemed I had a ton of drivers that were rude and seemed annoyed. I still see it a lot, but it seems like I get harrassed a lot less. Anyone else agree, or have I just been fortunate so far?....:)

[crux]

Another word on lane discipline. When you are riding on a road with parked cars, stay in your lane....don't weave in and out of parked cars. A driver isn't going to see you when you get to the next car and pop out into the driving lane. It's best to just stay in the driving lane at all times. Again, some clueless drivers might get annoyed with you, but it's better to annoy them then get nailed by a car, or car door, because you are trying to hug the curb and parked cars.

Thanks for bring back memories.

Was riding along a group of parked cars then next thing I know I'm in the car laying on someones lap. Heck of a way to be introduced. Problem was that she opened the door same time as I was passing. Was a bit bumped and brused for the incident and the door had a nice kink in it. Kicker was after the initial confusion and she noticed the damage on the auto she expected an insurance card and was asking how I was going to pay for her car. I gladly offer to pay for the car only if she would pick up the medical bill, even offered to call the police for her to have this on record. She soon realized how generous that I was being and decided that the door was not that big of a consern.

[BKocka]

I have noticed in uptown that drivers are being much more accepting and tolerant, but when i get into downtown for some reason drivers and peds are starting to get really ridiculous. and taxis cut in front of me when im in the bike lane all the time. it's pretty ridiculous.

however, when i go out to the burbs, people are not so nice. I get things thrown at me and yelled at me when I ride in chaska on the road. i usually just flip them off or dont do anything.

im guessing the not doing anything might be a better choice tho.

[MisterClaw]

Thanks for bring back memories.

Was riding along a group of parked cars then next thing I know I'm in the car laying on someones lap. Heck of a way to be introduced. Problem was that she opened the door same time as I was passing. Was a bit bumped and brused for the incident and the door had a nice kink in it. Kicker was after the initial confusion and she noticed the damage on the auto she expected an insurance card and was asking how I was going to pay for her car. I gladly offer to pay for the car only if she would pick up the medical bill, even offered to call the police for her to have this on record. She soon realized how generous that I was being and decided that the door was not that big of a consern.

In many (if not most states) the door opener is responsible for safely opening their door. She was probably liable anyway!

[guest_s]

taxis cut in front of me when im in the bike lane all the time. it's pretty ridiculous.

Yeah, taxis.....and watch out for Buicks too.

[fasterfoster]

Not sure if this is just me, but I have noticed many more drivers being more tolerant of cyclists lately. Last summer it seemed I had a ton of drivers that were rude and seemed annoyed. I still see it a lot, but it seems like I get harrassed a lot less. Anyone else agree, or have I just been fortunate so far?....:)
I think it's getting better downtown, bike lanes, etc., but not in the SE suburbs (Eagan, AV, Rosemount, Lakeville, Farmington, etc.)