Wide outside lane
Encyclopedia
In the United States of America, wide outside lane (WOL), or wide curb lane (WCL), is a term used by cyclists and bicycle transportation planners to refer to the outermost lane of a roadway when it is wide enough to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle
and a wider motor vehicle
at the same time. Generally, the minimum width standard for a WOL is 14 feet (4.3 m). A WOL may also be known as a wide outside through lane (WOTL) to differentiate it from a right turn only lane (an outermost lane for traffic that will turn right, not intended for use by through traffic).
Conversely, a narrow lane is a lane that is too narrow to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a wider motor vehicle at the same time. When the outside lane of a roadway is a narrow lane, it is sometimes referred as a narrow outside lane (NOL) or a narrow curb lane (NCL). To encompass only through lanes, the term narrow outside through lane (NOTL) is sometimes also used.
In some jurisdictions, the rules of the road apply differently for a cyclist when the roadway has a WOL or a NOL. For example, in the state of California
all cyclists are legally required to ride "as close as practicable to the right-hand" side of the roadway when the lane is wide enough "for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane." What exactly constitutes "wide enough" is not specified and has not yet been addressed by case law
. Vehicular cycling
experts recommend that a cyclist always use the full lane when it is narrow. In other words, a person should not attempt to share a marked lane which is not wide enough for effective (i.e., efficient, safe and lawful) passing within the lane.
To illustrate how WOLs are generally considered to be facilities which primarily benefit cyclists, consider a road marked with a bike lane; if the bike lane stripe is removed, what remains is a WOL. Some vehicular cyclists and bike lane opponents advocate for WOLs instead of bike lanes, arguing that WOLs provide most, if not all, of the benefits, without many of the drawbacks that bike lanes impose on a person just because they are traveling by bicycle. Still others maintain that the primary purpose of providing the additional roadway width (whether in the form of a WOL or a bike lane) is to facilitate the passing of cyclists by motorists.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
and a wider motor vehicle
Motor vehicle
A motor vehicle or road vehicle is a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not operate on rails, such as trains or trolleys. The vehicle propulsion is provided by an engine or motor, usually by an internal combustion engine, or an electric motor, or some combination of the two, such as hybrid...
at the same time. Generally, the minimum width standard for a WOL is 14 feet (4.3 m). A WOL may also be known as a wide outside through lane (WOTL) to differentiate it from a right turn only lane (an outermost lane for traffic that will turn right, not intended for use by through traffic).
Conversely, a narrow lane is a lane that is too narrow to be safely shared side by side by a bicycle and a wider motor vehicle at the same time. When the outside lane of a roadway is a narrow lane, it is sometimes referred as a narrow outside lane (NOL) or a narrow curb lane (NCL). To encompass only through lanes, the term narrow outside through lane (NOTL) is sometimes also used.
In some jurisdictions, the rules of the road apply differently for a cyclist when the roadway has a WOL or a NOL. For example, in the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
all cyclists are legally required to ride "as close as practicable to the right-hand" side of the roadway when the lane is wide enough "for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane." What exactly constitutes "wide enough" is not specified and has not yet been addressed by case law
Case law
In law, case law is the set of reported judicial decisions of selected appellate courts and other courts of first instance which make new interpretations of the law and, therefore, can be cited as precedents in a process known as stare decisis...
. Vehicular cycling
Vehicular cycling
Vehicular cycling is the practice of riding bicycles on roads in a manner that is visible, predictable, and in accordance with the principles for driving in traffic.The phrase vehicular cycling was coined by John Forester in the 1970s to characterize the...
experts recommend that a cyclist always use the full lane when it is narrow. In other words, a person should not attempt to share a marked lane which is not wide enough for effective (i.e., efficient, safe and lawful) passing within the lane.
To illustrate how WOLs are generally considered to be facilities which primarily benefit cyclists, consider a road marked with a bike lane; if the bike lane stripe is removed, what remains is a WOL. Some vehicular cyclists and bike lane opponents advocate for WOLs instead of bike lanes, arguing that WOLs provide most, if not all, of the benefits, without many of the drawbacks that bike lanes impose on a person just because they are traveling by bicycle. Still others maintain that the primary purpose of providing the additional roadway width (whether in the form of a WOL or a bike lane) is to facilitate the passing of cyclists by motorists.
External links
- On-Street Facilities, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center
- How Wide Should a Wide Lane Be?, Wayne Pein
- Bicycle Lanes vs Wide Outside Lanes, Wayne Pein
- Section 21202, California Vehicle Code