A Press Democrat Blog

Road Warrior

Trying to make sense out of getting around

Mailbag: Bikes on the road or the sidewalk?

Friday, at 5:18 by

Santa Rosa will be swarming with bicycles this weekend as the Amgen Tour of California rolls into town, so this reader question about bicycle safety arrived just in time. The question: In the “California’s Rules of the Road” bicyclists are to follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. I understand some communities allow bicycles on sidewalks, but does the law allow them the right-of- way in the crosswalks as well? Many near misses have occurred as a… Read More »

Mailbag: Do bikes and parking lots mix?

Tuesday, at 5:29 by

Curtis Cook wrote to ask about the laws concerning bicycle riding through parking lots. Stores for the most part, have their bike racks near their entryways, which means crossing the parking lot to get to them.  get a lot of flak from drivers and people walking to and from their cars. I ride slowly, watch all my surroundings and try not to be squirrely. What more should I be doing or be made aware of? The answer comes from Gary… Read More »

Mailbag: Can bicyclists ride on sidewalks? Who cleans up crash debris?

Friday, at 4:30 by

Here’s a question from a reader: I’ve been taught that bicycles are subject to the same rules as cars, but I see bicycles on the sidewalk all the time.  I’d certainly be cited if I drove my pickup down the sidewalk.  What’s with the bikes?  Thanks a lot.  Randy of Windsor The answer comes from Gary Helfrich, executive director of the Sonoma County Bicycle Coaltion: Regardless of the legality, riding on the sidewalk a bad idea and should be discouraged.… Read More »

Drivers vs. bicyclists: Can they get along?

Tuesday, at 6:15 by

“Hating bikes,” “Raging at cyclist,” “Share the road” — all headlines on recent letters to the editor about the continuing conflict between drivers and bicyclists in Sonoma County. “Cyclists have every right to share the road,” and drivers need to realize that, CHP Officer Jon Sloat said. But bicyclists cannot impede traffic, he said. He said the CHP gets complaints from motorists about cyclists, such as they’re riding three abreast and not making way for cars or they’re running stop… Read More »