S.O.S.
Save Our Streets

I've written about this before and will be writing about it again but when is something going to be done about these bicycles on Loudon County roads?

County commission can't do anything about it but the sheriff's office sure can.


Martel Road

 


We're at a blazing 20 mph


Blocking traffic for mile after mile

There are already laws on the books to prevent this. Bicyclist can not impede traffic? Did you know that bicyclist can not ride more than two abreast and must ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Did you know that bicyclist must obey all the same traffic laws as vehicles?

The definition of impede, "to delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; To hinder." I'll ask you, have you ever been impeded by bicyclists? Ever gotten behind bicyclists riding more than 2 abreast?

If nothing else, they should be charged with inciting violence. That's right, violence. Don't know about you but when I get behind a bunch of these traffic impeders with those ridiculous looking shorts and helmets sipping their water bottles with traffic backing up behind them, makes me feel violent.

Based on the number of bicyclist who choose to clog up Loudon County roads, if the sheriff's office would start writing tickets, that might generate enough revenue to help pay for the new jail. Just a thought.

Again, here are the state laws that govern bicycle riding on county roads.

TCA-55-8-175.  Riding on roadways and bicycle paths -- Penalty.

  (a)  (1) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:

      (A) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

      (B) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or

      (C) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

   (2) This subsection (a) does not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control.

(b)  (1) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two (2) abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

   (2) Subdivision (b)(1) does not apply to a certified police cyclist engaged in the lawful performance of duty relating to traffic control or in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

(c)  (1) This subsection (c) shall be known and may be cited as the "Jeff Roth and Brian Brown Bicycle Protection Act of 2007."

   (2) The operator of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet (3') and shall maintain the clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.

(d) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

TCA 55-8-172.  Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles -- Penalty.

  (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway is granted all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title, except as to special regulations in §§ 55-8-171 -- 55-8-177, and except as to those provisions of this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title that by their nature can have no application.

(b) A violation of subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor.

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8/15/16