Clarke's Landing Road certainly fits my idea of ‘too narrow'

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

In the Nov. 4 issue, the "Motorist cited in bicycle fatality" article stated that Assistant State's Attorney Robyn Riddle "reiterated earlier police comments that a bicyclist is required to ride on the roadway's shoulder if it's usable or as close to the edge of the roadway as possible."

The error here is that Maryland law (Annotated Code of Maryland 21-1205 (a)) actually states that a bicyclist "shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable and safe, except when … Operating in a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motor scooter and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane."

The law's use of the word "practicable" as opposed to "possible" means that it is up to the bicyclist to decide if road conditions warrant riding in the middle of the roadway.

In this case, the shoulder near the point of impact was obstructed by a mailbox and low branches and the roadway was only nine feet wide. It seems to me that the cyclist was right in using the whole lane because nine feet is too narrow for a car and a bike to travel safely side by side within that space.

I've stood on the three-foot shoulder on Clarke's Landing Road and jumped back on the grass when two pickup trucks roared by in different directions. This road fits my idea of "too narrow."

Jim Swift, California