Recently, two fellas in Orlando, Florida did a little experiment, testing two questions while riding their bikes. They recorded the data-gathering on video so they could analyze it later.
They tested the motor vehicle response to a bicyclist riding on route 535. The bicyclist rode two positions: on the shoulder and in the lane.
First Test One of the men followed in a car, timing how long it took him at the speed limit to first observe the cyclist and then finally pass him.
Given the cyclist’s speed, it took the motorist 30 seconds to pass him after seeing him. At their respective speeds, that took 1,600 feet. According tot he research, that’s 5-times farther than the stopping distance for that vehicle at that speed. Plenty of time and space to react to the cyclist if necessary.
Second Test The cyclist recorded auto traffic as it passed him. He recorded data of passing cars when he was on the shoulder, and then again when he was in the lane. When the cyclist was in the lane, he was given more room by passing cars and trucks. When he was on the shoulder, they passed him much more closely. Here are the photographs:
Average passing distance when the cyclist “took the lane”…
Closest passing vehicle while “in the lane”…
Average passing distance when cyclist rode “on the shoulder”…
Closest passing vehicle when cyclist rode “on the shoulder”…
Popularity: unranked [?]
Link to this page
