General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates? Rss Feed  
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2008-06-18 10:59 AM

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

I had a thought of a century training ride, but it would require riding on the shoulder of I-15 (Misquite to Vegas).

Is that lawful?



2008-06-18 11:01 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Queen BTich
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

You need to check the local regulations. I think in most places its illegal, but here in the outskirts of El Paso there are places that you can get on and off the freeway as its ok for a 'bike lane.' However, this is only in certain places.

Is there a feeder road (road next to the interstate)? I know people ride on those.

2008-06-18 11:01 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
I don't think so. Whenever I drive on I-95 or I-195 or I-295 in my area, I always notice the sign that says 'No pedestrians, no bicycles, no horses.'
2008-06-18 11:03 AM
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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

Legal in Nevada as long as "no alternative route exists," according to this website:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=2616&v=v

2008-06-18 11:05 AM
in reply to: #1474110

Champion
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

Not in Jersey!

I wish it was, though, because they just repaved miles and miles of 295 and it would be such a nice ride .

2008-06-18 11:15 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
ya'll are crazy !!!! 


2008-06-18 11:17 AM
in reply to: #1474110

Expert
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Miller Place, Long Island
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
It's not legal to ride on any road that has a posted minimum speed... in NY at least

Edited by mscotthall 2008-06-18 11:17 AM
2008-06-18 11:24 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Master
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
Although I do not live in AZ, I do recall seeing signs on both I-17 and I-40 (around the Flagstaff area) stating that bikes share the road - so I'm assuming it is legal to ride the shoulder on those interstates in AZ. Not saying that I'd actually ever do it, because there were some crazy-@ss drivers out that way!!!

Edited by nscrbug 2008-06-18 11:25 AM
2008-06-18 11:28 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
It may or may not be legal, but I would suggest that either way it's batsh*t crazy.

$.02 from the cheap seats.
2008-06-18 11:30 AM
in reply to: #1474123

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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
the bear - 2008-06-18 9:03 AM

Legal in Nevada as long as "no alternative route exists," according to this website:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=2616&v=v

Yup, there's a section in California along the coast that has no alternate route so there is a bike lane on the freeway (well, actually, the signs on the freeway say "End Freeway" at that point) for I think two exits.  The speed as far as I can tell from driving it does not drop and drivers do not change their "mindset" about being on a freeway.  Many centuries use this route, although riding it two weeks ago I was the only cyclist on the road.

ETA - there is also a seciton of interstate 5 down by Camp Pendleton Marine Base that can be used for riding when the base is closed to entry, actually, I think it might be open all the time.

It is a bit disconcerting to have a semi go by you at 65 mph.

Keep in mind, at least in California, you have to exit and then re enter at each exit/onramp



Edited by ChrisM 2008-06-18 11:31 AM
2008-06-18 11:35 AM
in reply to: #1474199

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
I agree even if it was legal, it's not the best way to ride.  Drivers doing 65-90mph would give you some nice pushes into the bushes with their wake.  In addition, unlike most suburban streets, highways are heavily littered with tire popping debris.  Here in NJ I wouldn't want to do it because of the stench of death....deer litter my driving route (287) about one a mile it seems.  The local paper said 17000 deer annually meet their untimely end on the roads here.  Draconian gun laws and lack of natural predators have made New Jersey the "Deer State," instead of the "Garden State." 


2008-06-18 11:38 AM
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Veteran
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Mandeville, la
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
I wish theyd do that for the Lake Pontchartrain causeway brdge..i know it would take me over and hour to ride it..but damn it would be worth it in saving on the gas and toll...
2008-06-18 11:45 AM
in reply to: #1474110

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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
I live in AZ and I know along I-8 here you can bike on the highway -- there are signs saying "bikes use shoulder only".
2008-06-18 11:54 AM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
I would think it wouldn't be legal because you probably aren't maintaining the minimum speed. 
2008-06-18 12:05 PM
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Veteran
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San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
There are many Places on the I-15 between San Diego and Las Vegas that are legal for bikes to ride, as there is no alternate route. As others have pointed out, you have to be mighty brave to ride it though. There are loads of crazy drivers on the stretch to Las Vegas and all kinds of tire flattening debris on the road.

 

Cheers

2008-06-18 12:09 PM
in reply to: #1474202

Expert
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

It is a bit disconcerting to have a semi go by you at 65 mph.

I rode on the Interstate once in my life, out of necessity (not training).  I only WISH that the semis were going 65mph...  (Where I live, they appear to have a 'governor' that prevents them from going below 75mph.).  Yes, very disconcerting.



2008-06-18 12:11 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

Each state deterimins whether or not you can ride a bicycle on the inter state.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/interstate/faq.htm#question15

I have ridden on the interstate shoulder and never had an issue.  The interstate has very wide shoulders and the alternative roads did not making the interstate much safer.  Part of the Santa Fe Century in Santa fe NM goes along I 25 and they do it every year.  Be very careful when you come up to on and off ramps.

2008-06-19 12:42 AM
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Elite
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Lakewood, CO
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
In CO it is legal outside of the major metro areas.   Was the weirdest thing to me when I first got out here, but there are even organized rides and races that take folks onto the interstate (or at least use to in the race case)
2008-06-19 7:14 AM
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Pro
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Husker Nation
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
Here in Nebraska you can't ride on controlled-access highways or interstates - meaning if they have an overpass or underpass for an exit rather than an open intersection then you can't be out there.
2008-06-19 7:50 AM
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Expert
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White House, TN
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

It was in 1998, according to Americathon.

I still remember the traffic jams with bikes and runners on the interstates; cars were used as houses.  That's about all I can remember, though. [/hijack]

2008-06-19 8:11 AM
in reply to: #1474199

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?

tri_bob - 2008-06-18 11:28 AM It may or may not be legal, but I would suggest that either way it's batsh*t crazy. $.02 from the cheap seats.

x2



2008-06-19 8:14 AM
in reply to: #1474185

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Master
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Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
nscrbug - 2008-06-18 12:24 PM

Although I do not live in AZ, I do recall seeing signs on both I-17 and I-40 (around the Flagstaff area) stating that bikes share the road - so I'm assuming it is legal to ride the shoulder on those interstates in AZ. Not saying that I'd actually ever do it, because there were some crazy-@ss drivers out that way!!!


Yep...when I was on I-17 going from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I saw a group of roadies just riding along on the shoulder. There are some killer downhills (and climbs (and cacti)) on that highway!
2008-06-19 9:50 AM
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Expert
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Woodland, California
Subject: RE: Is it Lawful to Bike on the Shoulders of Interstates?
There are some big sections of 101 on the central coast where it is legal to ride.  I'll do it for a few miles at a time, but just to get from one road to another.  The shoulder is huge, in most places 10 feet or more, and the road debris usually isn't too bad, but I can't stand the traffic noise, or the semi trucks and busses passing at 65mph 10 feet away.
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