Best way to pass a highway exit ramp?

[spokesman]

Hi all:

Does anyone know if BC traffic rules or ICBC policies dictate a
'correct' procedure for cycling past a highway exit ramp?

Many highways allow cycling on the shoulder, but those same highways
have off ramps (and on ramps) that are troublesome to get past.

One way is to cycle down the shoulder of the exit ramp, then rejoin the
highway by crossing the exit ramp. I have been told that ICBC
'recommends' not going down the exit ramp shoulder, but I understand
there is at least one place in BC that has a sign part way down an exit
ramp that advises cyclists to rejoin the highway at that point.

Another way is to stay on the right lane marker of the right lane and
cycle past the exit ramp while maintaining this position on the right
lane marker. (i.e. don't go down the shoulder of the exit ramp.)
Traffic behind the cyclist, wanting to take the exit ramp, can pass
into the exit ramp to the right side of the cyclist as soon as there is
enough space. Does the cyclist have the 'right' to assume that any
motor vehicles behind him have the obligation to see and avoid him?

Another way is to asume the right shoulder extends past the exit ramp,
parallel to the right lane marker, and stay on that area, within a
metre just to the right of the right lane marker, which is usually a
dashed line as it passes the exit ramp. This is the same as the second
method, except that the cyclist stays slightly to the right of the
right lane marker, instead of right on top of it.

Do any of the various driver training publications cover this case?

Does anybody know of any case law covering this situation?

What are your thoughts?

Spokesman

[Király]

Post by spokesman
Does anyone know if BC traffic rules or ICBC policies dictate a
'correct' procedure for cycling past a highway exit ramp?

<snip>

Post by spokesman
One way is to cycle down the shoulder of the exit ramp, then rejoin the
highway by crossing the exit ramp. I have been told that ICBC
'recommends' not going down the exit ramp shoulder, but I understand
there is at least one place in BC that has a sign part way down an exit
ramp that advises cyclists to rejoin the highway at that point.

Yes, this is the case on Hwy 1 between Abbotsford and Hope, and also on
Hwy 1 in West Vancouver. Cycling is prohibited in the rest of Hwy 1 from
Abbotsford to North Vancouver, excluding the IMSN bridge.

In both cases, there are signs at the exit ramps indicating that through
cyclists are to take the ramp. Then just as the ramp splits off, there
is a sign saying "Cyclists cross here when safe", meaning look and see
that there are no vehicles in the exit ramp behind you before you dart
across and rejoin the highway.

Post by spokesman
Another way is to stay on the right lane marker of the right lane and
cycle past the exit ramp while maintaining this position on the right
lane marker. (i.e. don't go down the shoulder of the exit ramp.)
Traffic behind the cyclist, wanting to take the exit ramp, can pass
into the exit ramp to the right side of the cyclist as soon as there is
enough space. Does the cyclist have the 'right' to assume that any
motor vehicles behind him have the obligation to see and avoid him?

I wouldn't assume anything. Follow the example of Hwy 1 above.

Post by spokesman
Another way is to asume the right shoulder extends past the exit ramp,
parallel to the right lane marker, and stay on that area, within a
metre just to the right of the right lane marker, which is usually a
dashed line as it passes the exit ramp. This is the same as the second
method, except that the cyclist stays slightly to the right of the
right lane marker, instead of right on top of it.

Don't do that either; you're putting yourself at risk of being creamed by
an exiting vechile going 100 km/h who can't see you until he's already in
the exit, and by then it's too late for him to stop. Follow the Hwy 1
example above.

K.