Driver 411 Help

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by irrtaional x, Apr 17, 2012.

  1. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
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    Short version: What's the best way to alert truckers about bicyclists on the road?

    Long version: This summer I'm leading a charity bike ride from Florida to California with 25 participants. Two years ago we had a rider be hit an killed by the side of an oversize load on a narrow highway. It got me thinking: we could be a bit more proactive about preventing this short of accident from happening again by communicating with trucks on the road.

    We spend a lot of time on highways as it is frequently the only option. I was planning to bring along a handheld CB as means to call out our location and direction to give drivers (and anyone else listening) a heads up that there's ~25 people in spandex sweating their butts off on the shoulder.

    Would this be helpful for truckers/us or should I save my money for PreparationH and protein bars? Also, is 19 the right channel for this? What's protocol/etiquette for calling out a 411 like this? I have limited CB experience (used to Airband VHF) so I apologize for my newbness.
     
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  3. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
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    Not a race, it's a 4,100 mile trip over 10 weeks. Race's normally get the road closed but we wont have that luxury unfortunately.

    The cyclists will be in groups, but not a single group do to the practicalities of riding across the country (rider pace/conditioning, mechanical, flats, etc). We will have a SAG wagon carrying water and food but it can't/wont be with the riders at all times. Also, having a flag vehicle following the group can actually make them less visible. People focus on going around the slower moving vehicle and never see the cyclists. This actually led to a non-injury collision between an SUV and some riders last year.

    Most states have safe passing laws for cyclists... just like they have speed limits :) In the incident I mentioned previously both the cyclist and the truck were within their rights as motorists, but because of the location and short time between the driver seeing the rider and making his decision to go around the collision happened anyway.
     
  4. jessejamesdallas

    jessejamesdallas Road Train Member

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    You people are planning on getting on Interstates? I hope not...If you come threw Texas on the Interstates, your as good as Road Kill....

    IMO, Freeways, Highways, Interstates are NO place for Bicycles... Cyclist's should keep their spandex covered butt's on the side streets and not on major roadways where traffic is flying by at 70 MPH or better...

    That's why one of your guys got hit 2 years ago...Shouldn't have been there in the first place....
     
  5. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I would suggest planning the ride to use roads that are not truck routes. You can ride where trucks cannot travel, why not do that instead of unnecessarily putting yourselves in harm's way?
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  6. Pegasus

    Pegasus Medium Load Member

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    Aug 27, 2011
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    Not only that, but I have seen some on ramps in various states that I have lived in where it is posted that non-motorized vehicles are not allowed on the highway - meaning that it is illegal for non-motorized vehicles to be on any highway that has that posting. I would guess that that would mean anyone on a non-motorized vehicle that is on one of those highways is liable to get a ticket should a cop see them traveling on that highway. I would think that there might be a provision for a person walking along the highway if the motorized vehicle they had been traveling the highway on/in had developed a problem making it inoperative but I cannot imagine there being a similar provision for bicyclists.
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2012
  7. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    If there is a posted min speed most bikes cound not keep it up ...

    The Tampa to Orlando roads in #1 in bike deaths ....
     
  8. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
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    @jessejamesdallas
    No Interstates, that’s illegal in all the states we pass through. It’s also super boring. As far as your comments about our riders death, she wasn’t on an interstate or state highway nor was she moving when she was struck, but thanks for jumping to concussions.

    Despite the fact that cyclists’ taxes pay for the roads we use, that we are subject to the same MV code cars are, and that we lose our drivers license if we violate those laws, we should still somehow precludes us from using the pavement? Well, you’re entitled to your opinion on that, but the laws are pretty clear. Bikes should be treated like any other car/truck/motorcycle on the road. We get tickets if we don’t have headlights/taillights on at night, for speeding, and for those with a thirst there’s even BUI. If you wish to continue I’m sure there is a subforum here more appropriate for that kind of soap-boxing given that I asked a question about CB’s and ettiquiete ☺

    @windsmith
    I work with local/state police and DOT for routing, but the reality is that you cant cross the country without riding on state highways. Our rider that was killed was, as a mentioned, not on a major road where you might expect this type of incident to occur… It’s the backroads that have narrow shoulders.

    That’s why I’m here to see if using CB to give a general heads-up would be worth while. Nobody get killed on straight roads with wide shoulders

    @Pegasus
    Bikes are considered MV’s so that we can be subject to the same laws as cars and trucks, that’s all. “Non-motorized” is actually different distinction (also covers horsebuggys and pedestrians in my state) and is generally used on interstates or other places where there is a posted MINIMUM speed limit. It may also be used on highways or regular roads if the local/state engineer has determined that a specific stretch of road is unsafe.

    Back on topic: should I bother with a CB or is Jessejamesdallas going to run me over anyway ☺
     
  9. Pegasus

    Pegasus Medium Load Member

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    I was always taught that motorcycles were considered to be motorized while bicycles are not but since you specifically mentioned you would be on the non-motorized version (quote from your original post: "Short version: What's the best way to alert truckers about bicyclists on the road?") which was why I stated what I stated. I have never been on motorcycles but have ridden bicycles quite a bit for 20 years of my life and was taught that if I saw a notice that non-motorized vehicles were not allowed on a certain road, I was not allowed on that road as long as I was on the bicycle but would be allowed on that same road if I was on a motorcycle or in a car. (I am not a trucker which is why I left that part out even though trucks would also be allowed on those roads.)
     
  10. irrtaional x

    irrtaional x Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2012
    Sacramento, CA
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    Yup, you're 100% correct. I was just trying to clarify. Bicycles are both motorvehicles AND Non-motorized in (if I recall correctly) all 50 states. That means we have to follow all of the MV codes but we are still excluded from certain roadways, just as semi's are exluded from certain roadways
     
  11. WA4GCH

    WA4GCH Road Train Member

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    FACT ....Tampa to ORLANDO is #1 in bike deaths SO we are well aware of problems 4 foot is not enough .... not when a 55 foot truck is passing ....

    2 of my co-workers have been hit one has pins from his injures a well lit bike helps too bad they don't make radio beacon to warn drivers ....
     
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