I'm a first year rider, wanted to know what you guys do in this situation.


I'm riding on a 2 lane road. A couple cars ahead someone is stopped in the roadway, waiting for oncoming cars to pass so they can make a left turn. The cars between me and him go around him on the shoulder, which is illegal.


So now I come up on him. If I stop behind the turning car and wait, I'm a sitting duck. What do you do in this situation, wait or go around?


I went around a car in this situation, and there was a cop sitting there on the side street. He didn't pull me over, but I wanted to ask for next time.

 

I always go around.

 

this one is a judgment call--if there is enough room and nothing looks like it may put me down by going round on the right. In this case since one car had already done it. I probably do that. But if it looks kinda tight and looks not real good going around the right, I stop in the cars drivers wheel tracks so he can see you in his drivers door rear view. But stop far enough back with the bike in gear so I can get the heck outta the way around the right i if I need to. Keeping an eyeball peeled to my own rear views to see whats coming up behind me. Always leave yourself a way out. If you can that is, you can not always, and that is a pretty uncool feeling.

 

For a motorcycle or a car it is not illegal to pass on the right on a 2 lane road if there is enough improved road available. If you can stay on the pavement you are good.

A car may have to use some of the shoulder so they aren;t always legal.

 

If cars ahead have done it and it is legal to pass on the right and the area on the right is not dangerous for a motorcycle I'd go for it - using caution as always.

 

I don't know the law in PA, here in Ky, if it's safe to do so, I go around.

 

Agreed, depending on the State. In Idaho as long as you stay on the pavement you can legally pass. Check your State just to be sure. Either way I would watch and if concerned about traffic from the rear, PASS.

 

You're the same sitting duck at any stop light.
Leave yourself space , be visible, plan a way out and be alert.
That's motorcycling.

 

If it's good pavement I go around on the right but do a major shoulder check to make sure the guy behind me isn't trying to go around me and the turning vehicle

 

Respectfully disagree. Every state has different traffic laws. In Minnesota, every vehicle has the right to the full lane of traffic. If you pass a vehicle, or ride side by side with a vehicle in the same lane (without the other drivers permission), you are in violation. Even bikers.

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/mms...gulations.aspx

Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of their lanes and have all the rights and duties of other drivers. 169.974 subd. 5 (f) (g)



The op has already stated that it is illegal for him to pass on the right in his state, as it is here in Minnesota, in this situation. Here are facts direct from a Minnesota trooper.

http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/...209171371.html