Sharing the Road With Bicycle Riders
Editor, News-Register:
West Virginia Code §17C-11-2 provides in pertinent part that “Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle…” West Virginia Code §17C-11-5 provides in pertinent part that “Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway … shall ride … as close as practicable to the right-hand (side) …” West Virginia Code §17C-7-3 provides in pertinent part that “The driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction shall pass to the left of the bicycle at a distance of not less than three feet at a careful and reduced speed, and may not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken bicycle …” and that “Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $100; upon a second conviction within one year thereafter, shall be fined not more than $200; and upon a third or subsequent conviction, shall be fined not more than $500.”
Bicycles have the same rights as cars. The roads have numerous potholes and I ride and swerve to avoid them just like you do. Slow down and share the road.
Sam Stone
Morgantown
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