CONTENTS
(1) State laws governing bicycle lane positioning
(2) How wide does a travel lane need to be to allow safe passing?
(3) What is the difference between "practicable" and "practical?"
(1) State laws governing bicycle lane positioning
Several state laws address how a bicyclist may position themselves in the lane of travel.
ORS 811.130 prohibits impeding traffic. It states that a bicyclist commits the offense of impeding traffic if the bicyclist rides “in a manner that impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of traffic” except when the bicyclist is proceeding in a manner needed for safe operation." Proceeding in a manner needed for safe operation includes but is not necessarily limited to "momentarily stopping to allow oncoming traffic to pass before making a right-hand or left-hand turn and "momentarily stopping in preparation of, or moving at an extremely slow pace while, negotiating an exit from the road." Additional examples of riding in a manner needed for safe operation are provided in ORS 814.430 (Improper use of lanes by bicyclists) and ORS 811.065 (Unsafe passing of person operating bicycle). These two laws will be discussed below.
ORS 814.430 concerns the improper use of lanes by bicyclists. It states that a bicyclist “commits the offense of improper use of lanes” “if the person is operating a bicycle on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic using the roadway at that time and place under the existing conditions and the person does not ride as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway” except in following circumstances:
(a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle that is proceeding in the same direction.
(b) When preparing to execute a left turn.
(c) When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or other conditions that make continued operation along the right curb or edge unsafe or to avoid unsafe operation in a lane on the roadway that is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side. [However, the law goes on to say that "nothing in this paragraph excuses the operator of a bicycle from the requirements under ORS 811.425" (Failure of slower driver to yield to overtaking vehicle)]. This law will be discussed below.
(d) When operating within a city as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of a roadway that is designated to allow traffic to move in only one direction along the roadway. A bicycle that is operated under this paragraph is subject to the same requirements and exceptions when operating along the left curb or edge as are applicable when a bicycle is operating along the right curb or edge of the roadway.
(e) When operating a bicycle along side not more than one other bicycle as long as the bicycles are both being operated within a single lane and in a manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
(f) When operating on a bicycle lane or bicycle path.
ORS 811.425 (Failure of slower driver to yield to overtaking vehicle) pertains to the situation on "a two directional, two-lane highway" in which a driver going slower than the speeds specified in ORS 811.105 and "there is no clear lane for passing available to the driver of the overtaking vehicle." The law requires the slower driver to move “off the main traveled portion of the highway into an area sufficient for safe turnout.”
ORS 814.420 (Failure to use bicycle lane or path) states that "a person commits the offense of failure to use a bicycle lane or path if the person operates a bicycle on any portion of a roadway that is not a bicycle lane or bicycle path when a bicycle lane or bicycle path is adjacent to or near the roadway." However, "a person is not in violation... if the person is able to safely move out of the bicycle lane or path for the purpose of:
(2) How wide does a travel lane need to be to allow safe passing?
A definition of the width of a travel lane necessary for the safe operation of both a bicycle and a vehicle is provided in ORS 811.065 (Unsafe passing of person operating bicycle). It states that motorists driving at speeds greater than 35 miles must maintain a “safe distance” which is defined as the distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane of traffic.
Many bicycling safety experts state that bicyclists need an operating space at least 4 feet wide. This would allow for 1' distance on either side of a 2' wide human body. A minimum safe passing distance for cars is at least 3 feet, and this distance would probably not be sufficient to satisfy Oregon's safe passing law. Thus, at a minimum, vehicles would need to allow at least 7 feet from the right edge of the roadway to allow a safe passing distance. An average mid-sized car is 5.8' wide and an average full-sized pickup is 8' wide.
Most travel lanes are 12 feet wide. A mid-sized car would have to cross the center line to allow 3 feet of clearance. Even a 14 foot travel lane would barely allow enough space. The car would come within 2 inches of the center line (7 + 5.8 = 13.8'). With a full-sized pickup the lane would need to be at least 16 feet wide (7 + 8 = 15'). Follow the link below to an excellent video that illustrates this.
(3) What is the difference between "practicable" and "practical?"
Answer: Practical means useful or matter-of-fact.
Example: "This is a practical tool."
Practicable means feasible, possible.
Example: "The backup plan was practicable.'
Another important distinction is that practical can apply to people and skills, while practicable only applies to plans or actions.