Hey Heidi! Can cyclists ride in the middle of the road?

As gas prices continue to rise and the weather gets warmer, you’re bound to see more bikes on the road.

That got David Down from Ballwin wondering about the rules of the road, specifically, if cyclists can legally ride in the middle of the road. NewsChannel 5′s set out to answer that question in this week’s Hey Heidi! segment.

The answer is a no according to Mike Weiss, owner of Big Shark Bicycle Company.

“That is a no, no! It’s a vehicle, so it’s governed by the same laws. There are laws about how cars have to conduct themselves around cyclists as well. But you stay to the right, you ride single file unless there’s no one around you. You are allowed to ride double file when you’re not delaying traffic,” explains Weiss.

Here’s the video:

What Mike says is accurate for specific circumstances, but what he didn’t say, or perhaps what was edited out, is that cyclists are allowed to use the full lane in certain situations. Here’s the full rule (via MoBikeFed):

307.190. Riding to right, required for bicycles and motorized bicycles.

Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles.

Just like in Kansas, if the lane is too narrow to share (as is the case on the vast majority of local streets), the cyclist should ride in the middle of the lane to be safe.

(Note also, that unlike Kansas, where cyclists may legally ride two-abreast under all conditions, in Missouri, cyclists must move into single file if they’re impeding other vehicles.)

If you watch the video, you’ll note that Heidi also reports as fact another oft-repeated lie: “you should ride as far right as possible”.

The wording of the statute in Missouri is “as near to the right side of the roadway as safe”. As far right as possible is not always the safest lane position. (In Kansas, the statute says “as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable”, again with the exception of “narrow width lanes”.)

And finally, why do people use the phrase “in the middle of the road” when they mean “in the middle of the lane”? Makes them sound really dumb!

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

I checked the team’s web site, but their parking page says nothing about bicycles.

So I wrote to the team and asked. Here’s the response I got back from the Royals:

At Kauffman stadium we do not have bike racks or areas where you can lock your bike. With that being said we recommend that you do not bring your bike as there would be no place to securely put your bike.

Frankly, I was a little surprised that they didn’t prohibit bicycles entirely, but they certainly don’t do anything to make it safe or convenient for their cyclist customers.

I followed this up with a phone call to the stadium, and they confirmed that there are no bike racks at Kauffman or anywhere on the sports complex. Although bicycles are not prohibited, any bicycles locked to a tree, fence, railing or other fixture will have their locks cut, and the bike will be impounded. A $10 parking fee applies to get into the sports complex.

There may be parking options nearby, where a cyclist could presumably park their bicycle and then walk to the stadium, but the Royals cannot provide any details about those options, if they exist.

There used to be a bus service called the “Royals Express”, but that has been discontinued.

So, if you want to ride your bike to Kauffman Stadium, your options are pretty limited…

How does this compare to other major league stadiums around the country? Here’s a quick look at the some of the teams that do support their bicycling fans, to varying degrees:

• Chicago White Sox (U.S. Cellular Field): “Bikes racks are located outside U.S. Cellular Field between Gates 2 and 3 and along 35th street near Gate 5.”

• Colorado Rockies (Coors Field): “Bike parking areas are located past the Wynkoop Walkway adjacent to the Wynkoop ticket windows at Gate E, across from Gate B at 22nd and Blake Streets and outside Gate A. In addition, there are a very limited number of spaces on Blake Street between 20th and 21st. Please always park and secure bikes in one of these areas. The Colorado Rockies assume no responsibility in the event that bicycles are lost or stolen. If bikes are attached to any fencing, railing, meter or tree at Coors Field, they may be impounded and/or ticketed.”

• Milwaukee Brewers (Miller Park): “Traveling to Miller Park by bicycle or on foot is easy via the Hank Aaron State Trail. Bike racks are located near the Klement’s Sausage Haus, east of Miller Park, at Helfaer field and the Ballpark Plaza near the Clock Tower.”

• Minnesota Twins (Target Field): “The Minnesota Twins encourage guests to ride their bicycle to Target Field. Bicycle stands are available on the promenade and at various locations around the ballpark. Target Field features hundreds of bike parking spaces. In addition, the city of Minneapolis has hundreds of bike parking spaces within blocks of Target Field.”

• New York Mets (Citi Field): “Guests that wish to use their bicycle as a mode of transportation to Citi Field can utilize any of the 10 bicycle parking racks located outside of the ballpark.”

• New York Yankees (Yankee Stadium): Yankees Add Huge Amount of Bike Parking

• San Diego Padres (Petco Park): “The Bicycle Pavilion will be open and available for all Padres Sunday games. The Bicycle Pavilion, located at Park Boulevard and Tony Gwynn Drive allows fans to park their bicycle in a secured area staffed by a San Diego Padres representative. Bicycle stands are available for use by guests outside the Home Plate, Park Boulevard and Gaslamp Gates.”

• San Francisco Giants (AT&T Park): “Secure bike parking is available on the Portwalk between the viewing portals and the CHW clinic, and is operated by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. The bike parking lot is open two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch until 30 minutes after the game’s final pitch. There is no charge for this service, but a donation can be made. All proceeds benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Employee bike parking is available next to Second and King Street employee entrance by the Players Lot.”

• Seattle Mariners (Safeco Field): Bicyclists have two options for bicycle parking during games. Plaza Bike Racks: Adjacent to the Safeco Field Garage on the exterior plaza. Bike Cage with Racks: To keep your bicycle out of the elements you can use our bike cage located inside the Safeco Field Garage.”

• Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers Centre): “Bicycle stands are available for use by guests outside Rogers Centre near Gates 2, 3, 6, 6A, 9A, 10, 13, 14 and 15. Gas powered vehicles (i.e.: mopeds, and scooters) are not permitted to be parked in these areas.”

• Washington Nationals (Nationals Park): “Bicycles are not permitted inside Nationals Park; however, the Nationals encourage guests to utilize bicycles as an alternative means of transportation. Guests may lock and secure bicycles at several designated locations at Nationals Park, including the FREE Bicycle Valet sponsored by Cycle Life.

It’d be nice if the Royals (and Chiefs) made at least a minimal effort to make their stadiums more bike-friendly.

Sounds like a good opportunity for a “Bike Day at the K”, with folks from community organizations providing a bike corral/valet parking, and some sort of a group ride to navigate the busy streets around the stadiums.

Anyone volunteer to coordinate this with the Royals?

See also: Kansas City Royals Cycling Jersey

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

The following announcement was posted at the recent grand opening of the new BikeSource Ranchmart location:

Some of you may know Chris Smedley within the Kansas City bicycling community. Chris started and has owned the “Bike Shack” bicycle business on Blue Ridge Boulevard in the southeast end of Kansas City, Missouri for the last 30 years.

Chris unfortunately has developed pancreatic cancer and his medical prognosis is not good for recovery from this type of cancer. Even though he owns a business that make money if persons purchase from him, Chris is not a rich man. So far his medical bills are over $100,000 dollars and still climbing. Most of that is being paid by his medical insurance but not the total amount. He has to pay for his cancer medicines prescriptions and medical insurance deductions out of his own pocket as well as a percentage of his surgery and hospital bills.

Chris needs help in paying his medical bills from this cancer. I would like to ask each of you to seriously consider making a financial contribution to him to assist him and his family to pay their medical bills. Any amount you can afford would be appreciated, especially anything $100 or more. All financial contributions can be mailed or dropped off at the business address below. If contributing by bank check, please make out your check to “Chris Smedley” directly such that the total amount goes to him.

Thank you for your contribution.

Steven Barnes, A friend of Chris Smedley and Fellow Kansas City Bicyclist

Chris Smedley
The Bicycle Shack
10415 Blue Ridge Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64134
(816) 761-3233

In addition to owning The Bicycle Shack, Chris has long been an active member of the recreational and competitive cycling community in Kansas City.

If you can help, please consider doing so.

Image courtesy of Bicycle Shack on Facebook.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

I recently came across this story about the Ruby Jack Trail, located in southwestern Missouri, running from Carthage to the Kansas state line:

When complete, the Ruby Jack trail will ultimately run from Carthage to the KS state line. Initially it was planned as a bi-state trail all the way to Columbus, KS. However, Cherokee County passed an ordinance in response to those plans that effectively prohibits the rail-trail from entering Kansas. So until the good people of Cherokee County overcome their fear of bikers and joggers, the trail will stop at the state line.

Rough gravel aside, I am really excited about this trail. I think it’s a great asset to the area and another excellent component of the ever expanding trail system in the Joplin area.

Read more from Ryan McCoy at the Shortleaf blog: Ruby Jack Trail.

I was unfamiliar with the Cherokee County situation, so did a bit more searching and turned up this 2003 article from the Missouri Bicycle Federation:

Supporters originally hoped for a 28-mile trail from Carthage to Columbus, Kan. Opposition and a fee imposed by the Cherokee County Commission caused the trail group to drop the Kansas portion.

And this nugget from the Joplin Globe:

In 2002, the Cherokee County (Kan.) Landowners Association filed a statement opposing extending the trail into Kansas, saying some trail groups lack funding, manpower “and quite frankly motivation” to develop and maintain the trails they control. They expressed concern about littering, vandalism and inadequate policing.

The coalition pulled out of the Kansas portion after the Cherokee County Commission ruled that the trails group would have to post a surety bond of about $10,000 per mile to ensure that the trail would be maintained.

Teverow said that would have made it prohibitively expensive to run the trail to Columbus.

“The state of Kansas, I would say, has made it more difficult than any state in the nation,” he said.

And finally, another excerpt from Shortleaf: No New Trail!:

Basically the story is that the Joplin Trails Coalition is developing a 16 mile rails to trails project from Carthage to the KS state line and pretty much everyone along the way is trying to keep it from happening. Initially the plan was to extend all the way to somewhere in KS, but Cherokee County was so opposed to the forward thinking idea of fitness and recreation they passed a law that made it cost prohibitive and eventually the coalition gave up on the idea of having a trail in KS.

I was told by a member of the coalition that farmers will routinely dump old machinery or bales of hay to obstruct the trail, and surprisingly, one of the biggest opponents of the project was the Carl Junction school system. The trail is supposed to pass near the high school and they are paranoid about the “transients” that might hang out on the trail. I have biked and hiked on lots of trials and don’t recall ever being mugged or offered drugs. And heaven forbid the school system actually encourage students to get out and USE THE TRAIL.

The main argument for this most recent lawsuit is that the trail will degrade neighboring property values. I have seen many small towns enhanced by these types of trails, but I don’t recall seeing any that were turned ghetto because of one.

Why do some places in Kansas have to be so backwards? What exactly do they fear?

Do they not want places for their citizens to walk, run, and ride? Do they not want people to visit their communities? Are they not interested in economic development?

Makes no sense to me…

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

In fact, when current plans come to fruition, KC may well have more urban singletrack than any other city in the nation.

From the Kansas City Star (Volunteers create miles of surprises):

Kansas City always seems to be searching for an identity. How about this one: urban mountain biking capital?

What if KC were home to the country’s longest middle-of-the-city trail system for mountain biking and hiking, a spectacular series of paths that squeeze through limestone outcroppings, skirt native glades and follow a twisting river route?

Working on it. Volunteer trail builders — with no fanfare and lots of sweat equity — just completed a phase of the planned trail inside Swope Park.

The total project is an urban mountain biking and hiking trail system more than 50 miles long. With perhaps no peer in the United States, it would surpass urban trails in cities considered far more outdoorsy than Kansas City.

These are not greenway-type trails paved or covered with gravel or wood chips. These are natural, “single-track” trails built to the standards of the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

While many urban areas have developed mountain bike trails, the scope of the Kansas City project sets it apart, said Ryan Schutz, director of field programs at the International Mountain Bicycling Association in Boulder, Colo. He said the Kansas City area already was well-regarded for its mountain bike trails.

Years ago, mountain biking and city parks often were considered a bad mix. Trails were sometimes haphazard and not built to last. Easily eroded, they could be more of a scar on park property than an amenity. And mountain bikers, typically young, could be an unpredictable lot.

Times have changed, and many park land managers are working enthusiastically with mountain bikers, who themselves are maturing, to develop trails. Hikers and trail runners also get involved.

The trails envisioned are:

• 20 miles planned in the Swope Park system; seven are done
• 20 miles planned in the connector from Swope to Red Bridge Road; work just begun
• 16 existing miles along the Blue River from Red Bridge to 137th Street

You can follow the progress on the Swope Trails Blog and the Blue-Swope Connection Blog.

And in addition to the Swope and Blue River trails, there are numerous other mountain bike trails in the Kansas City area, on both sides of the state line:

• Shawnee Mission Park – Five miles of some of the best technical singletrack in the Kansas City area, along with paved multi-use trails and a challenging road loop
• Kill Creek Park – 4+ miles of singletrack trails, plus multi-use paths, located in western Johnson County
• Hillsdale Lake – Over 50 miles of trails located just southwest of Kansas City
• Wyandotte County Lake – The park currently has 10 miles of bridle trails and a master plan to develop an additional 20 to 30 miles of sustainable mountain biking and hiking trails
• Landahl Park – Nine miles of singletrack located in Blue Springs, Missouri. Many experienced MTB’ers consider this one of the top trails in the midwest.
• Smithville Lake – Ten miles of singletrack located near Smithville, Missouri: “These trails are very beginner and singlespeed friendly trails”.
• Stocksdale and Walnut Woods – Several miles of well-regarded trails near Liberty, Missouri

Mountain biking groups and clubs in the Kansas City area include the Earth Riders Trails Association, the Earth Riders Mountain Bike Club, and the Trail Masons Association. If you’re interested in riding and volunteering, contact these groups to get involved.

KC already has a great network of trails, and it’s growing every year. Get out and explore!

Read more from KCBike.Info, the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, the Columbia Daily Tribune, and the Lawrence Journal-World.

Photo courtesy the Kansas City Star

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

If there is a symbol that could summarize Mayor Darwin Hindman’s impact on Columbia, it might be a bicycle.

Hindman pushed for the creation of the cross-state Katy Trail State Park, and he worked closely with Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., to secure more than $22 million in federal grant money to make the city more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, to name just a few of his accomplishments.

GetAbout Columbia Director Ted Curtis said Hindman has been an incredible influence on the city. “He’s been instrumental in bringing programs on board. He believes in the process. He walks the walk. That type of leadership is important.”

The effects of Hindman’s efforts go beyond striped lanes and bike racks.

Sarah Ashman, manager of Walt’s Bicycle Fitness and Wilderness Co., said that in recent years there have been more customers who say they use bicycles to commute as opposed to recreation. She bases this on increased bicycle sales and the increased sale of bike accessories such as luggage racks, pannier bags and rain gear.

Hindman “has certainly changed the culture of cycling in Columbia,” she said. “Cycling in general is on the increase.” [ read more ]

After five terms as Columbia’s mayor, Hindman is retiring in April, and there is concern that some of the momentum for cycling in Columbia, which culminated with Columbia being recognized as a silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community last year, may be lost.

According to the Columbia Daily Tribune, Curtis isn’t worried. He said the momentum in GetAbout projects is well established, adding that it is the city’s program, not just the mayor’s. Even if a future city council puts less emphasis on non-motorized projects, Hindman said he will continue to promote biking, walking and good health. “I do intend to practice the active living and join the others who push for it.”

See also: Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, KCBike.info, Leadership for Healthy Communities, Parade Magazine, Wikipedia, The age of Hindman.

Congratulations, Mayor Hindman! Well done.

Photo courtesy of MoBikeFed via flickr.

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

More photos: KC Star, Pitch, David Rainey, joneser005 @flickr

Recap: History in the making…

An enthusiastic crowd of 150-200 people turned out for Kansas City’s very first Tweed Ride on a beautiful Spring day. Congratulations to the organizers for a well-planned and smooth-running event.

Looking forward to next year!

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

Kansas City, let’s create 100 miles of bike lanes by early next year.

Let’s do it for a healthier, greener place to live. Let’s do it because generations of Kansas Citians have asked for it.

Let’s do it because this is a great American city and bike lanes would make us better. Heck, more bike lanes would trim us up and get us off those chubby city lists.

Now is the time for the Kansas City Council to get serious about creating what’s been debated for 25 years: A bike-friendly city.

Goals need deadlines, so here’s our idea:

100 miles of on-street bike lanes by April 30, 2011, the end of the next city fiscal year. And Mayor Mark Funkhouser should push harder for his goal of making Kansas City a bike-friendly, platinum-rated city by the League of American Bicyclists by 2020.

The 100-mile goal is tough, but doable, and Kansas Citians have been asking for a safer biking environment for decades. Kansas City has devised and revised and re-revised — and yet never acted on — ambitious bike route plans since 1986, with complete reworks in 1991 and 2001. This foot-dragging has put us far behind other metropolitan areas. We’re the worst cycling city in America, according to some.

…

Kansas City has waited long enough. Let’s add 100 miles of bike lanes by early 2011 and make our city a healthier, more attractive place to live.

Did you catch the words there?

“Bike lanes”. Not “bike paths”. Not “trails”.

Bike lanes!

The focus here is transportation, not recreation.

100 miles is obviously just an arbitrary round number, but it’s an ambitious goal, particularly given that KC has very few bike lanes, and only about 30 miles of off-street paths and trails.

It takes more than bike lanes to make a city truly bicycle-friendly, but it’s certainly a good start. A modest investment in cycling infrastructure would pay for itself many times over in decreased congestion, improved health, and improved air quality (particularly given that the KC area has repeatedly violated air quality standards and may be forced to impose new restrictions).

And, of course, the value of lives saved is immeasurable.

So, do KC leaders “get it”? They’re been moving in that direction for awhile now, but so far, there isn’t a whole lot to show for it. Are they willing to take concrete steps, such as adding 100 miles of bike lanes, to make a move livable city?

Let’s hope so!

See also: Kansas City’s Platinum Vision, KC Struggles To Become More Bicycle-Friendly

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

When people hear the words “critical mass,” they probably imagine a motley crew of cyclists drinking beer, slowing down traffic and generally getting in everyone’s way.

While that assessment wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate, it’s tough to get the whole story until you actually take part in the monthly bike parade and experience Kansas City from a cyclist’s perspective.

The ride moves at a pace that slower riders can keep up with, and red lights do not necessarily equal “stop.” Outlying riders, or “corkers,” post up at intersections to make sure cars don’t disrupt the peloton, usually by waving thanks to the drivers and wishing them a “Happy Friday.”

While disregarding traffic signals might seem like a dubious method of promoting safe biking, the movement certainly succeeds in making drivers reconsider who owns the roads. Critical Mass turns the traffic hierarchy on its head, as streets that might otherwise be dangerous for a lone biker become grand bicycling thoroughfares for a larger group. As cyclist Matt Lavigne states, “The mass is what’s critical.”

“It’s just a bunch of friendly folk riding around, having a good time,” said Ryan Jones. Cyclist Chris Lee called Critical Mass “a real spirit-lifter.”

Read more: Critical Mass a ‘spirit-lifter’ for KC cycling community

Click the images below for videos from March 26th’s KC Critical Mass:

See also: KC Critical Mass on Facebook

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com

The Bicycle Safety Bill sponsored by Rep. Mike Sutherland and supported by MoBikeFed in 2005 originally included a 3 foot minimum passing distance. However, at the insistence of the insurance industry–who feared a specific, concrete legal requirement would lead to more claims against their customers–the specific three foot requirement was removed at that time.

Missouri’s current law simply states that motorists “shall leave a safe distance, when passing the bicycle, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.”

Most motorists already pass bicyclists with a distance greater than three feet. However the addition of the three foot language to Missouri law would help clarify the issue of exactly what motorists are doing wrong when it comes to court cases. [ read more from the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation ]

And the debate is not just in halls of government. Everyday cyclists are voicing their opinions as well.

Over at Carbon Trace, Andy Cline opposes the bill and makes an interesting argument (HB 1250 Must Be Stopped): “I know there are many well-meaning bicycle advocates that think this law is a good idea. I respectfully disagree. I base my opinion on experience riding in traffic. While 3 feet might be fine if a car is passing at 25 mph, it is most certainly too close at 45 mph. This law treats all roads, speeds, and traffic conditions equally. It is far better that HB1250 fail than we end up with a 3-foot law.”

In I Want More Than Three Feet, he writes: “While it may seem that such a law seeks to protect bicyclists, I think it will instead make us less safe. Three feet is not enough room. But three feet is all you’ll get once drivers learn there’s a “3-foot law” in Missouri. In other words, cars will begin passing you closer!”

What do you think?

Does specifying a minimum passing distance actually encourage motorists to pass you closer than if the wording of the law is the vague “safe passing distance”?

For what it’s worth, there are currently 14 states — Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin — currently have 3-foot passing laws on the books, and several more (including Missouri and Iowa) are working towards some version of such a law (see More states consider 3-foot bicycle-passing laws in 2010 from BikingBis).

Here in Kansas, I don’t believe lawmakers have ever officially considered the issue. Ideas have been floated (see Kansas Bicycle Safety Law Proposal), but that’s as far as it’s gotten so far…

Visit Kansas Cyclist to learn more about bicycling in Kansas and neighboring states.
Follow Kansas Cyclist on Twitter and Facebook. © KansasCyclist.com