 |
| The 2002 Honda Odyssey that nearly killed me on Auction Road |
Here's the video:
The vehicle appears further than it actually was due to the fish-eye lens on the GoPro mounted on my front handlebars. The yellow lane divider line is 8.8 feet from the right edge of the roadway. However i am riding 2' from the right edge due to the broken pavement all alpng the edges of this road.
There is NO WAY the driver has provided 4' distance from a cyclist as required by Pennsylvania law:
Four Foot Buffer Requirement: When passing, drivers must allow at least four (4) feet between the right side of the vehicle and the left side of the bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3303 (a) (3)] . When safe to do so, it is legal to cross the center double yellow line if necessary to provide the required four feet when passing a bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3307 (b.1)].
My handlebars are 42 cm (1.3 feet) wide. Seated on the bicycle in normal riding posture I am approximately 1.5 feet wide (I'm 6'1", 180 lbs).
If I'm 2' from the right edge and 1.5' wide = 3.5' to my left edge.
The lane is 8.8 feet to the edge of the grass.
That leaves 5.3' of distance between me and the centerline.
Yet in the image above you can see the Odyssey is straddling the centerline.
A 2002 Odyssey is 76.3" wide (6.4 feet)
This 2002 Honda Odyssey van has Pennsylvania registration: HFG-3592.
There is NO WAY the driver has provided 4' distance from a cyclist as required by Pennsylvania law:
Four Foot Buffer Requirement: When passing, drivers must allow at least four (4) feet between the right side of the vehicle and the left side of the bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3303 (a) (3)] . When safe to do so, it is legal to cross the center double yellow line if necessary to provide the required four feet when passing a bicycle [75 Pa.C.S. § 3307 (b.1)].
My handlebars are 42 cm (1.3 feet) wide. Seated on the bicycle in normal riding posture I am approximately 1.5 feet wide (I'm 6'1", 180 lbs).
If I'm 2' from the right edge and 1.5' wide = 3.5' to my left edge.
The lane is 8.8 feet to the edge of the grass.
That leaves 5.3' of distance between me and the centerline.
Yet in the image above you can see the Odyssey is straddling the centerline.
A 2002 Odyssey is 76.3" wide (6.4 feet)
Assuming directly over centerline that 3.2' in the 8.8" wide lane, there's 2.1' between my left edge and Honda's right edge.
This 2002 Honda Odyssey van has Pennsylvania registration: HFG-3592.
I will post a video this evening. In the video his speed is apparent as he has to brake when he runs up behind the vehicle in the distance.
So I sent an email to the Manheim Borough Police Department with the picture of the car attached (which clearly displayed the license plate).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE
I was contacted by the MBPD Police Chief who explained they can't really issue a citation if they can't positively identify who was driving. They have the vehicle info and traced it but the driver wouldn't be obvious given the addresses. They will follow up and ask me to testify if it goes to court.
I'd happily participate.
Some police departments get it. The Bangor, Maine PD certainly does:
