Cars and Bikes are like Cake and Beer, they go well together but nobody knows when and how.  This upcoming biking season, please mind yourself and be aware of the road and those who use it.

The law is very particular about the relationship between the pedal power and the gas power, click here to read.  It all comes down to one simple thing:  BIKERS ARE SLOW TRAFFIC!  Therefore the same laws that govern farm equipment, road construction vehicles, or a sheperd with 15 cows are the same laws that govern a pack of HAMMER GEL-induced, lycra-wearing, Lauren Jensen-Wannabees.  We all know that we have to obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and laws.  The thing that is most confusing is when can we ride side by side and when do we need to be on a single file. 

Here is a simple guideline.

1)   You are allowed to ride 2 across, on 4 lane roads.  Your pack is considered a single unit of slow traffic.  Although you are all ok (green), be mindful if the traffic gets heavy behind you and on the left lane.  If this happens, try to form a single line if and when it is safe.

2)  If there is a bike lane.  Everyone must be in it, it doesn't matter how many across, everyone must be inside the bike lane.  In this diagram, one rider (red) is not following the law.

3)  On a single lane road, you are ok to be riding 2 across unless impeding traffic.  In this diagram, since the car cannot pass the pack because of the double solid yellow line, the pack is impeding traffic.  The group must make ALL safe effort to start a single file and allow the car to pass.

4)  Similar to diagram 3, the pack is riding 2 across and is impeding traffic.  However, the car can pass the slow moving unit because of the dashed yellow line.  Although not required, the pack must make SOME safe effort and single file to allow the car to pass.

A safe riding to all!