My ride to commute to work has changed, and now have to bike pass a school zone with the 15 m.p.h. maximum.... Does that speed limit apply to me as well riding on my bike? I really don't know how fast I ride, but I surely passed all the cars in that zone this morning (while being cautious, of course). I don't want to get a ticket, so that's why I ask.
I'm a newbie, so apologies if this is perhaps common knowledge somewhere else...
tnx
Yes. You should be obeying the speed limit. If you're passing cars that are stopped and letting off kids I think that's OK so long as you are slowly passing them. You never know when a kid is going to dart out from in front of a car.
You also have to stop for the busses and crossing guards.
Yes, speed limits apply to bicycles. In general, if you dont have a bike computer, just dont ride too much faster than the cars and watch out for kids. Always obey the crossing guards(they are usually pretty friendly and will chat with you anyway).
I'm pretty sure the speed limit would apply to bikes also. It's the basic rule of thumb under PA law, bikes are considered vehicles with rights as well as rules of the road.
Aside from getting a ticket, this seems like a situation that could be particularly prone to building bad public relations for cyclists, parents get especially irate toward real or perceived threats to their little 'uns. I would say try and roll through at the same speed as the other traffic, just for good will. Smile at the kiddies.
It's always safest to ride at the same speed as other traffic, regardless of conditions. Speed isn't inherently dangerous, but variation in speed between vehicles is very dangerous.
It varies by state. In some states (CT, MA) speed limits apply to "motor vehicles", which aren't bikes. However, in other states (PA, OH, WV), speed limits apply to "vehicles."
I wonder if speed limits for "vehicles" apply to horse-drawn carriages. I saw an Amish sulky in Indiana one time that looked pretty fast. Kinda like this except pulled by a horse.
@edmond -yeah, don't wanna make anyone look bad. This is the first time I've gone through a school zone, and after passing it I wondered what was the proper etiquette.
Thanks for everyone's input!
And I did smile at the kiddies this morning, but that just made them whistle at me (from the school bus).... so don't know about smiling again 
An excellent opportunity to take the lane.
!! How old were these whistling kiddies?
I may retract my earlier magnanimous sentiments.
Ha ha. Must have been high school. Jerks. I always wave to the little ones.
just made them whistle at me
Judging from your picture, we must be twins. But I guess you got all the looks in the family.
At least I can console myself with having got the wit.
At least I can console myself with having got the wit.
Or at least half...
Wait, you mean I can't go 55 down Coxcomb Hill Rd anymore?
You can. Except when the school zone light is flashing. And cops like to sit JUST INSIDE the school zone, to catch you before you slow down fully...
@edmonds... Haha... I'm pretty sure they were middle-school kids! I've actually heard worst from "young ones" I just think is funny, but try not to encourage it.... yeah, looks, right
Yeah, some cops are... not-very-nice (trying to be ladylike here). My real concern is that, well... I've had a history of speeding tickets in the past (with my car), and while I've been good for awhile now, I would be embarrassed to get one on my bike too!
I'm thinking I'll ask a cross-guard next time what they 'prefer' and start gaining their good graces that way.
It would be really funny in a not-really-funny kind of way if you were forced to ride your bicycle all the time on account of having had your driver's license suspended on account of speeding on your bicycle.
There's a stumper, I assume the only enforcement options the state has are to revoke your license or your vehicle registration, but since a bike requires neither, what do they do?
At that point they probably just taser you and beat you for being incorridgable.
You can lose your drivers license for what you do on a bicycle.
It is the law for you to follow speed limits, but as long as you use common sense and aren't obviously putting someone in danger, I'm sure you'll be fine.
In my experience, crossing guards love cyclists.
At that point they probably just taser you and beat you for being incorridgable.
Not if you're a meth-smoking ex-con.
They just cite you and ignore it, apparently. Five citations for driving with no license, over a two year period. This guy probably NEVER had a license.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/22847243/detail.html
apparently having no insurance is ok too
I've had two family members in car accidents with uninsured and unlicensed drivers in the last five years. Thankfully no one was seriosly injured, but it highlites why you should increase the 'uninsured motorist' section of your auto policy. I have $300K of coverage from the little lizard for $20/year.
I think I've mentioned it before, but a friend of mine was sued when he rear-ended a driver who had no license, no registration, and no insurance because said driver slammed on the brakes for no apparent reason.
