I've become more aware of this issue since taking a bike-commuting class last December (where we were taught to take the lane when necessary). More recently when the town of Black Hawk, CO completely banned bikes from riding through their town for "safety" reasons, I remembered what I had learned. The town decided that trucks and buses moving into oncoming traffic to pass was a safety issue, and banned bikes as a result. It's time to get more "in their face" with this issue. This sticker will be on my car and any of my friends I can convince as well.

I got a ticket for taking the lane on Alum Creek Drive in Columbus Ohio last Friday. Ohio law states if passing vehicle and bicycle cannot ride safely side by side within the lane, the bicycle may take the lane: "(A) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable obeying all traffic rules applicable to vehicles and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction. (B) Persons riding bicycles or motorcycles upon a roadway shall ride not more than two abreast in a single lane, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles or motorcycles. (C) This section does not require a person operating a bicycle to ride at the edge of the roadway when it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. Conditions that may require riding away from the edge of the roadway include when necessary to avoid fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, surface hazards, or if it otherwise is unsafe or impracticable to do so, including if the lane is too narrow for the bicycle and an overtaking vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane." If I beat the ticket, which I should, I will ask signs like yours be placed where I got my ticket!

I got mine and will be ordering more to pass out to friends and clients

I hope it raises public awareness.

A state by state data base would be great. We are all tired of being pushed of the roads. The police are not even aware of the law as they pertain to cyclist.