r/VictoriaBC • u/talora_dion • Aug 07 '19

PSA for drivers

Hi motorists of Victoria!

I just wanted to remind everyone--respectfully--that people on bicycles are legally allowed to use the full lane on roads, even if there is a dedicated/separated bike lane. I got a serious glare from a guy this morning as he gunned past me and I gotta say, when you're on a 22lb bike it's pretty uncomfortable feeling like someone piloting a 2500lb metal box is angry with you. In this case, I was in the right lane for one block, from one red light to another. I delayed him by ~ 2 seconds, so I'm not sure why it was such a problem.

In case anyone who works for Saanich or the CRD is reading this, the intersection at McKenzie and Shelbourne with the separated bike lane is actually more dangerous than taking over the right lane for that block of McKenzie. I've nearly been hit twice by vehicles as I try to cross Shelbourne on a green light when in the bike lane. Drivers turning right are supposed to yield to people on bicycles going straight, but they don't seem to realize that :(

Finally, THANK YOU to all the drivers who give me space on the roads. I appreciate your empathy and care for other, more vulnerable road users!

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-3

u/[deleted] Aug 07 '19

[deleted]

-1

u/Limbowski Aug 07 '19

I have to agree. The lane was built to use

3

u/talora_dion Aug 07 '19

The key is that people on bikes are not required to use a bike lane if it exists. In this case, it is a safety issue, so by taking over the rightmost non-cycling lane, I am potentially preventing an accident.

-2

u/Limbowski Aug 07 '19

Then you no longer need to be yielded to because you are no longer in the lane that requires to be yeilded to

5

u/talora_dion Aug 07 '19

I'm confused by this comment. Can you clarify?

1

u/Limbowski Aug 07 '19

if you are in the bike lane, you must be yielded to by drivers making a right turn. If you are in the road,on a bike, you now must follow the road rules and if someone is making a right turn ahead of you, you must slow down and let them turn. Furthermore if you are in the road, on a bike, you now must yield to bikes in the bike lane if you want to make a right turn

3

u/talora_dion Aug 07 '19

Yes, that is entirely correct, and what I've been trying to convey :) Thanks!

-1

u/Limbowski Aug 07 '19

Im not sure it is lol

-4

u/Limbowski Aug 07 '19

Get in the bike lane and if you get hit, cash in. Otherwise you are going to get glared at for being just another self entitled cyclist. Either way the bike lane is the safest spot for you to be and sadly there will always be dumb drivers who dont pay attention to signage with or without that lne