Code on bike safety calls for sharing road

West Virginia Code §17C-11-1 - §17C-11-7 provide in pertinent part that “... Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle. ...” and that “... Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable ...” “... except ... (1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; ... (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard-width lane, which makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand ... [side].”
I ride a bicycle. Bicycles have the same rights as cars. The roads have numerous potholes, and I ride and swerve to avoid them just like you do.
Please stop honking, cursing and running me off the road. Slow down and share the road.
The life you save may be mine.

Sam Stone
Morgantown