Recently my town has put signs everywhere telling us we must give 4 feet when passing bicycles. I’m on a major road with double yellow line, no passing zone. Cop is behind me and there is a bike going like 15mph or less in my lane. Speed limit is 40 to 45 (it changes a lot in this area).

Lucky for me, my turn was coming up so no need to pass the bike. But I could not help wonder if it legal for me to pass him by crossing the double yellow line. I could see myself being wary of passing and also being weary of driving behind the biker at that slow speed.

Watching. I'd wonder what to do too. I think it would be safe to just stay behind the biker and let the cop make his move.

I would say yes it would be legal (just my opinion). I have the same situation near me , bicycles, mail trucks, Amazon, etc. Never heard of anyone getting ticketed as long as you wait for oncoming traffic to clear.
Would cause a major problem if you were forced to follow to far. Biker must also do his part and not do something stupid like crowding the double yellow line.

Double yellow line means you can’t pass a vehicle going the same direction unless legally allowed to do so.

In this instance you are required by law to give a bicyclist 4 feet (here it is 3 feet) you can legally cross the double yellow to do so presuming it is safe.

The same goes for a farm implement or a horse and buggy that is displaying a low speed triangle.

The last (most recent) traffic ticket I've had was twenty-five or thirty years ago. Woman in a Cadillac that kept stalling (maybe out of gas?). The third time that she came to a complete stop, I checked to make sure there was no oncoming traffic, then passed her. I was doing maybe 15 mph when I went around her stopped car, crossing double solid yellow lines to do so.

Cop behind me pulled me over and gave me a ticket. Total bullshit.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Double yellow line means you can’t pass a vehicle going the same direction unless legally allowed to do so.

In this instance you are required by law to give a bicyclist 4 feet (here it is 3 feet) you can legally cross the double yellow to do so presuming it is safe.

The same goes for a farm implement or a horse and buggy that is displaying a low speed triangle.

This. Pass when you have a clear view ahead and it's safe to do so while providing the proper amount of clearance for the biker. You may have to slow down and follow for a bit if you're approaching the crest of a hill or a blind curve, but if you can safely pass go for it. At least that is how we'd handle it here.

VTail, your ticket was indeed BS. You should have fought that one.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
The last (most recent) traffic ticket I've had was twenty-five or thirty years ago. Woman in a Cadillac that kept stalling (maybe out of gas?). The third time that she came to a complete stop, I checked to make sure there was no oncoming traffic, then passed her. I was doing maybe 15 mph when I went around her stopped car, crossing double solid yellow lines to do so.

Cop behind me pulled me over and gave me a ticket. Total bullshit.

And yet they always say there's no quotas.

Since you are in Massachusetts...

https://malegislature.gov/Laws...V/Chapter89/Section2

quote:

Except as herein otherwise provided, the driver of a vehicle passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction shall drive a safe distance to the left of such other vehicle and shall not return to the right until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and, if the way is of sufficient width for the two vehicles to pass, the driver of the leading one shall not unnecessarily obstruct the other. If it is not possible to overtake a vulnerable user, as defined in section 1 of chapter 90, or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane, crossing the centerline if necessary, when it is safe to do so and while adhering to the roadway speed limit. Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on visible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

The driver of a vehicle may, if the roadway is free from obstruction and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles, overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle when the vehicle overtaken is (a) making or about to make a left turn, (b) upon a one-way street, or (c) upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement.

.

...on a major road with double yellow line, no passing zone. Cop is behind me and there is a bike going like 15mph or less in my lane...

I would pull into a parking lot, parking spot, or someplace else where it is legal to do so & let the cop pass so he is suck behind the bike.

I would then pull out, following the cop & do whatever the Cop does to get around the bike or just follow along at 15mph if the Cop does not pass.

.

Last ticket I received was ~2010. Person in front of me slammed on his brakes, not sure if he spilled coffee in his lap or missed a turn. Whatever, I'm driving a 3 ton truck loaded down with shelving, supplies, and tools that add another ton.

He nearly locks up his brakes about 50-60 yards in front of me. It took me a second to realize he wasn't just slowing he was braking hard. By the time I applied my brakes I was not comfortable with the ability of my laden vehicle to stop sufficiently close given there was a light mist that had ended. I got to about 20 yards and thought, this is unsafe and elected to pass on left with no traffic present at about 15-20mph.

Ticket was issued, the other guy behind was never talked to or issued a ticket for coming to a complete stop in the middle of the road with no intersection or pull off available. Shortly after I was pulled over he continued past us passing on the fucking left of double yellow.

TL : DR

Similar situation, got fucked.

I’m a LEO (26 years) and. Would never cite a driver for crossing over the double yellow line to give a bicyclist room when passing.

Splitting hairs but "put signs everywhere" does not necessarily equate to "this is the law".

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
Double yellow line means you can’t pass a vehicle going the same direction unless legally allowed to do so.

In this instance you are required by law to give a bicyclist 4 feet (here it is 3 feet) you can legally cross the double yellow to do so presuming it is safe.

The same goes for a farm implement or a horse and buggy that is displaying a low speed triangle.

Thanks, that makes sense.

quote:

Originally posted by steve495:
Since you are in Massachusetts...

https://malegislature.gov/Laws...V/Chapter89/Section2

quote:

Except as herein otherwise provided, the driver of a vehicle passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction shall drive a safe distance to the left of such other vehicle and shall not return to the right until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and, if the way is of sufficient width for the two vehicles to pass, the driver of the leading one shall not unnecessarily obstruct the other. If it is not possible to overtake a vulnerable user, as defined in section 1 of chapter 90, or other vehicle at a safe distance in the same lane, the overtaking vehicle shall use all or part of an adjacent lane, crossing the centerline if necessary, when it is safe to do so and while adhering to the roadway speed limit. Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on visible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

The driver of a vehicle may, if the roadway is free from obstruction and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles, overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle when the vehicle overtaken is (a) making or about to make a left turn, (b) upon a one-way street, or (c) upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement.

This also makes sense but since the road also has signs saying "no passing" it can be confusing.

quote:

Originally posted by sleepla8er:
.

...on a major road with double yellow line, no passing zone. Cop is behind me and there is a bike going like 15mph or less in my lane...

I would pull into a parking lot, parking spot, or someplace else where it is legal to do so & let the cop pass so he is suck behind the bike.

I would then pull out, following the cop & do whatever the Cop does to get around the bike or just follow along at 15mph if the Cop does not pass.

.

LOL, I like this idea.

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
Splitting hairs but "put signs everywhere" does not necessarily equate to "this is the law".

Good point. These signs went up recently all over our town and some surrounding towns. I know there is something to do with funding if they don't have bike lanes. Not sure the signs cover them in that respect.

If I had a Cop in my rear view window I would be very tempted to slow to the speed of the bicycle and just let him sit and stew back there.

Yeah odds are good he's going to cite you for impeding traffic. Be polite to him because you want to take this to Court. When the Cop asks for a reason why you were driving so slow explain to that Officer that you didn't feel that you could provide the mandated 4 foot clearance for the bicycle without crossing the double yellow.

Now, take note. When you go to court that Officer will have to be present and odds are quite good he will report both how polite you were and your explanation of why you were driving so slow. Once everything has been all settled out request a full transcript of this proceeding. Then make copies of that record and mail them to your local State Rep and every single sponsor of that bill for that 4 foot rule.

Note, I drive a small car and would have no problem at all providing the required clearance without crossing that double yellow. I'll also note that my mileage tattletail is reporting 28.3 mpg with an average speed of 26 mph so that's all City driving. Those of you with large gas guzzling trucks that require a near stop for a right turn go get in front of a mirror and give yourself a bit fat raspberry for such a poor choice for a daily driver.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Last ticket I received was ~2010. Person in front of me slammed on his brakes, not sure if he spilled coffee in his lap or missed a turn. Whatever, I'm driving a 3 ton truck loaded down with shelving, supplies, and tools that add another ton.

He nearly locks up his brakes about 50-60 yards in front of me. It took me a second to realize he wasn't just slowing he was braking hard. By the time I applied my brakes I was not comfortable with the ability of my laden vehicle to stop sufficiently close given there was a light mist that had ended. I got to about 20 yards and thought, this is unsafe and elected to pass on left with no traffic present at about 15-20mph.

Ticket was issued, the other guy behind was never talked to or issued a ticket for coming to a complete stop in the middle of the road with no intersection or pull off available. Shortly after I was pulled over he continued past us passing on the fucking left of double yellow.

TL : DR

Similar situation, got fucked.

Your problem is that you're in Virginia

Cops there will ticket you for breathing wrong, I've never seen another state like it.

In Wisconsin, it would be legal to cross the double yellow to pass a bicycle as long as it is traveling less than half the posted speed limit. Here is the applicable law:

quote:

The operator of a vehicle may drive on the left side of the center of a roadway on any portion thereof which has been designated a no-passing zone, to overtake and pass, with care, any vehicle, except an implement of husbandry or agricultural commercial motor vehicle, traveling at a speed less than half of the applicable speed limit at the place of passing. Wis Stats. 346.09 (3)(b)

Note that the law explicitly does not allow passing farm/ag implements in that same scenario.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:


Note, I drive a small car and would have no problem at all providing the required clearance without crossing that double yellow. I'll also note that my mileage tattletail is reporting 28.3 mpg with an average speed of 26 mph so that's all City driving. Those of you with large gas guzzling trucks that require a near stop for a right turn go get in front of a mirror and give yourself a bit fat raspberry for such a poor choice for a daily driver.

On this particular road you would not be able to give 4’ no matter how small your car. I’ll try to get a picture at some point.

I think yes, I`ve ridden to the top of Wachusett from here in Upton many times. Nice climb up where you live.

100% MTB these days though.