Monday, September 11, 2017
The Dutch Reach
A good short video was shared tonight by the BBC on protecting bikers from "dooring." Check out the technique called the "Dutch reach," which has been getting a lot of attention lately and even has an organization in Europe dedicated to its spread. Please share with your friends. It's simple and it could save someone's life. |
| Illustration courtesy of The Boston Globe. |
Labels: dooring, dutch reach
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
March-April 2016 FABB Newsletter
March-April 2016 FABB News
A bi-monthly publication of Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling
FABB Meets in Mason District on March 16
The March FABB monthly meeting will be held at Poe Middle School, 7000 Cindy Ln, Annandale in the Mason District. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16. All cyclists are invited to attend and discuss how we can make the district more bike friendly. As we develop our priorities for the coming year we want to hear what you think are the most important projects in the area.
FABB Members Attend National Bike Summit, March 7-9
Several FABB members attended the three-day National Bike Summit sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists in Washington, DC. During the Summit they were able to network with other Virginia advocates (BikeWalk RVA, VBF, BikeArlington, etc.) and others from around the country, learning and sharing about their mutual efforts. To advance our work in Fairfax County, the FABB attendees chose to focus on workshops to learn about the Bicycle Friendly America program, Mayor's Challenge for Safer Streets, bikeshare and Vision Zero. They also learned about bike education in schools and new counting/data collection methods. On the final day they joined hundreds of cyclists on Capitol Hill for Lobby Day.
Fairfax Embarks on Plan for Better Bicycle Access to Vienna Metro Station
Fairfax County Department of Transportation recently held a meeting to ask people their thoughts about how to improve bike access to the Vienna Metrorail Station. The meeting was the kickoff of the Vienna Metrorail Bicycle Access Study. After a brief presentation, about 20 people gathered around maps of the station area to mark where improvements such as protected bike lanes are needed. The contractor, VHB, will take that input, conduct field work, and develop detailed recommendations. The study will be completed in June. Approximately $1M in project funds is available.
May Full of Major Bike Events
Bike to Work Day, Tour de Fat, and DC Bike Ride are happening on Friday-Sunday, May 20-22. This year Fairfax is hosting 14 Bike to Work Day Pit Stops on May 20, and FABB will be at most of them discussing our work and handing out literature. On Saturday, May 21, FABB volunteers will help the fabulous Tour de Fat folks hold the best bike party of the year. If you're interested in helping out during either the morning or afternoon shifts, please let us know. DC Bike Ride is a car-free ride through the District on Sunday, May 22. Finally, May 4 is National Bike to School Day. Why not reach out to your local school to see if they have activities planned and/or need help with bike rides to school?
Adventure Cycling in Reston
Adventure Cycling Association, Reston Association, and Reston Bike Club held a special gathering on Sunday, March 6. Adventure Cycling staff members Ginny Sullivan and Saara Snow discussed events planned for Adventure Cycling’s 40th anniversary: National Bike Travel Weekend, June 3–5, the Montana Bicycle Celebration, July 15–17, and Bike Your Park Day on September 24. They also highlighted their tours program, membership, new routes, progress on the U.S. Bicycle Route System, and other national advocacy projects. FABB discussed our work along with presentations by Friends of the W&OD Trail, Reston Bike Club, and WABA. Adventure Cycling is a great national bike organization and if you aren't a member, we recommend that you join. If you would like to join, contact me and I'll send you a redemption code for a free 6 month membership (new members only, 2 codes available).
Bicycle Bills in Virginia Legislature
Two bike bills are making their way through the Virginia legislature. SB 117, the Dooring bill "Requires drivers to wait for a reasonable opportunity to open vehicle doors on the side adjacent to moving traffic. A violation constitutes a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $50." The bill was approved by both the Senate and House and will go to Gov. McAuliffe for his signature. Thanks to everyone who wrote to your legislators to urge them to approve the bill. Thanks also to Senator Chap Petersen for sponsoring the bill and working to ensure it made it through both houses.
SB 669, the Maintenance Reimbursement bill "Provides that cities and towns that receive highway maintenance payments from the Commonwealth based on moving-lane miles of highway will not have such payments reduced if moving-lane miles of highway are converted to bicycle-only lanes..." This bill was "Continued to 2017."
Meeting on W&OD Trail Bridge over Wiehle Ave on March 17
Fairfax County plans to build a bridge on the W&OD Trail over Wiehle Ave. A public hearing on the project will be held on Thursday, March 17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Reston Community Center at Hunter Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. This is an opportunity to learn about and discuss the current design options. The Wiehle Ave crossing has been the site of several bike crashes in the past. This bridge will allow cyclists to completely bypass the at-grade crossing. Access to Wiehle Ave from the W&OD Trail will be via paved side trails from east and west of the bridge. See the FABB blog for current plans and design concepts.
Meeting on Proposed Bike Lanes in Annandale on March 21
Fairfax County will hold a meeting on March 21 to discuss plans to install bike lanes on several roads in the Annandale area as part of the summer repaving cycle. Cyclists are encouraged to attend the meeting to support the projects. Without your support these projects may not happen.
From the Fairfax County site Mason District Bike Lanes: "Join Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff on Monday, March 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at the George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike in Annandale, and learn about proposed bicycle enhancements that can be implemented with road repaving this year. Bicycle facilities are proposed on Heritage Drive, John Marr Drive, Markham Street, McWhorter Place, and Ravensworth Road."
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If you don't already, please Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter feed. If you have news about bicycling in Fairfax to share with our readers, please submit brief articles to news@fabb-bikes.org.
- March 16 - FABB Monthly Meeting in Mason District, Poe Middle School at 7:30 p.m.
- March 17 - Public Hearing on W&OD Trail Bridge over Wiehle Ave, Reston Community Center at Hunter Woods at 6:30 p.m.
- March 21 - Meeting on bike lanes in Annandale, George Mason Regional Library at 6:30 p.m.
- April 22 - Earth Day
- May 4 - Bike to School Day - See who is biking or register your event.
- May 20 - Bike to Work Day - Registration is open for the 14 events in Fairfax County.
- May 21 - Tour de Fat - Join FABB at this fun bike party in DC. To volunteer contact us.
- May 22 - DC Bike Ride - Ride on car-free DC streets.
Labels: adventure cycling, annandale, bike to work day, dooring, fabb newsletter, national bike summit, vienna metrorail bicycle access study, w&od trail
Monday, March 7, 2016
Dooring Bill Passed by VA House
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-818.1 as follows:
§ 46.2-818.1. Opening and closing motor vehicle doors; penalty.
No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so.
A violation of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $100. No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for a violation of this section.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer, school guard, firefighter, or member of an emergency medical services agency engaged in the performance of his duties.
Labels: dooring, sb 117, Sen. Chap Petersen
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Contact House Delegates about two bike bills
SB 669, the Maintenance Reimbursement bill "Provides that cities and towns that receive highway maintenance payments from the Commonwealth based on moving-lane miles of highway will not have such payments reduced if moving-lane miles of highway are converted to bicycle-only lanes..."
Please contact your delegate to ask them to support these bills. From VBF:
It is now time to contact YOUR DELEGATE and ask them to support both SB117, the Dooring bill, and SB669, the Maintenance Reimbursement for travel lanes that have been converted to bike lanes bill, as both are now on the floor of the Full House.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Dooring Bill Clears House Transportation Subcommittee
If your Delegate is a member of the Transportation Committee, please send them a note asking for passage of SB 117. Also ask them to support SB 669/the Maintenance Reimbursement for Bike Lanes bill (see below). You could also thank the NoVa delegates for supporting the Dooring bill.
The above info is from Virginia Bicycling Federation who are doing another great job of following legislation in Richmond:
SB 117 the “Dooring” bill was first on the docket in House Transportation SubCommittee 1 and was heard shortly after 7 a.m. Sen. Chap Petersen did a very good job of presenting it, and I spoke in favor of it, followed by Champe Burnley, & Lisa Guthrie of the Transit Assn.
Del. Adams of Martinsville then moved to Table it, seconded by Del. Pillion of Abingdon. On the vote they were joined by Chairman Garrett of Lynchburg, but they were one vote short, as Dels. Plum of Reston, Ward of Newport News, Anderson of Manassas & LeMunyon of Chantilly voted Nay. That motion failing, Del. Plum moved to report, seconded by Ward. Being joined again by Anderson & LeMunyon , and opposed by the same 3, the bill was Reported 4-3.
It now goes on to the Full House Transportation Committee (where the same 7 Delegates will be joined by 15 others to make up the full Committee) on Thursday a.m. at a more civilized 8:30. In looking down the list of members, it would appear that we would have a good chance to get this bill onto the House floor for final passage if our team mates in the Virginia Beach area can make some calls to
Chairman Villanueva (delrvillanueva@house.virginia.gov), and Delegates Scott Taylor (delstaylor@house.virginia.gov), & Glenn Davis (delgbavis@house.virginia.gov), asking them to support the bill. Certainly wouldn't hurt for our folks in Northern VA to contact Hugo, Minchew, Dudenhefer, LaRock, & Filler-Corn.
SB669/the Maintenance Reimbursement for Bike Lanes bill also will be heard on Thursday morning, and those making contacts should certainly mention it in their messages, although we got some bad news this morning from one of the Delegates that a number of Delegates in the House are generally opposed to the conversion of vehicular travel lanes to bike lanes and do not support this bill which would incentivize a jurisdiction to do so. Despite his pessimistic outlook toward the bill, lets ask support for it anyway and see if we can prove him wrong.
Del. Adams of Martinsville then moved to Table it, seconded by Del. Pillion of Abingdon. On the vote they were joined by Chairman Garrett of Lynchburg, but they were one vote short, as Dels. Plum of Reston, Ward of Newport News, Anderson of Manassas & LeMunyon of Chantilly voted Nay. That motion failing, Del. Plum moved to report, seconded by Ward. Being joined again by Anderson & LeMunyon , and opposed by the same 3, the bill was Reported 4-3.
It now goes on to the Full House Transportation Committee (where the same 7 Delegates will be joined by 15 others to make up the full Committee) on Thursday a.m. at a more civilized 8:30. In looking down the list of members, it would appear that we would have a good chance to get this bill onto the House floor for final passage if our team mates in the Virginia Beach area can make some calls to
Chairman Villanueva (delrvillanueva@house.virginia.gov), and Delegates Scott Taylor (delstaylor@house.virginia.gov), & Glenn Davis (delgbavis@house.virginia.gov), asking them to support the bill. Certainly wouldn't hurt for our folks in Northern VA to contact Hugo, Minchew, Dudenhefer, LaRock, & Filler-Corn.
SB669/the Maintenance Reimbursement for Bike Lanes bill also will be heard on Thursday morning, and those making contacts should certainly mention it in their messages, although we got some bad news this morning from one of the Delegates that a number of Delegates in the House are generally opposed to the conversion of vehicular travel lanes to bike lanes and do not support this bill which would incentivize a jurisdiction to do so. Despite his pessimistic outlook toward the bill, lets ask support for it anyway and see if we can prove him wrong.
Labels: bike lanes, dooring, sb 117, sb 669
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Support Bike Bills in VA House of Delegates
Please contact the VA legislature to support two bike-related bills that will soon be voted on by members of the House Transportation Committee. From WABA's Action Alert:
SB 117: Dooring— This bill makes opening a vehicle door into the path of an oncoming bicycle a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of up to $50. As too many of us know, dooring can cause severe injury to bicyclists. Currently, there is no penalty in VA for passengers and drivers who put cyclists at risk in this manner. The lack of a ticketable infraction makes it harder for the victim of dooring to recover damages from insurance companies for his/her injuries. The creation of this traffic infraction would change that.
SB 669: Converting traffic lanes to bicycle lanes will not reduce highway maintenance funds— This bill would remove a disincentive for cities and towns to replace traffic lanes with bike lanes. Currently, highway maintenance funding is calculated based on the number of lane miles the city or town maintains. Under this bill, municipalities will not have their maintenance funding reduced if motor vehicle lane miles are converted to bicycle-only lanes. This is great for municipalities wishing to engage in traffic calming, road diets, and other street safety projects.
Labels: bike lanes, dooring
Monday, February 16, 2015
House Trans. Comm. to vote on "Passing on a yellow line" and possibly "Dooring" bills tomorrow
The House Transportation Committee will meet tomorrow to vote on two major bike-related bills, the bill to allow motorists to cross the yellow line when passing a bicyclist, and maybe the bill to require motorists to avoid opening their door when a cyclist is passing. If your representative serves on this committee, please contact them and ask for their support. You can also contact Delegate Rust, chairman of the committee, to ask for his support.
- Allows drivers to cross a yellow line to pass a pedestrian, stopped vehicle, bikers, etc., if safe to do so. Current version modified to include single yellow line on driver's side.
- Passed the Senate, 37-1,
- Passed the House Transportation Sub-Committee 6-1 on Monday, 2/16. Capt. Glick (the representative of the State Police), supported the bill and was asked how it would be enforced, answering with a "Reckless Driving" citation if the crossing of the line was observed to be an unsafe one
- Full House Transportation Committee hearing and vote at 8:30 AM Tuesday, 2/17
- Requires motor vehicle operators to wait for a reasonable opportunity to open their door.
- Passed the Senate 27-12,
- Was not recommended to be reported by the House Transportation Sub-Committee (4-3) on Monday, 2/16 , but the Sponsor, Sen. Chap Petersen intends to request reconsideration in the full House Transportation Committee at 8:30 AM Tuesday.
The House Transportation Commission Chairman is from Herndon, Delegate Rust deltrust@house.virginia.gov. (804) 698-1086
Other NoVA Delegates on this committee include the following:
- Hugo/Prince William delthugo@house.virginia.gov, (804) 698-1040
- Scott/Culpeper delescott@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1030
- Anderson/Woodbridge delranderson@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1051
- Minchew/Leesburg delrminchew@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1010
- LeMunyon/Chantilly deljlemunyon@house.virginia.gov (w/thanks for support in subcommittee) (804) 698-1067
- LaRock/Hamilton deldlarock@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1033
- Filler-Corn/Springfield delefiller-corn@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1041
- Plum/Reston delkplum@house.virginia.gov (804) 698-1036
Thanks to Jim Durham of Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for sharing this information, and to Virginia Bicycle Federation for reporting on progress in today's session.
Labels: 2015 legislative session, dooring, double yellow line
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Dooring bill fails to pass once again
See the Post article "Virginia House panel again shoots down bill to protect cyclists from ‘dooming’."
It is illegal in 40 states and the District of Columbia to open the door of your parked car into the path of a bicyclist. But in Virginia it remains perfectly fine, after the state House of Delegates again shot down a bill to prohibit “dooring” on Monday morning.
For the second year in a row, Fairfax City state Sen. Chap Petersen (D) championed the bill for a couple of reasons. One, to protect cyclists from suddenly slamming face first into the steel and glass of a car door. Two, to allow local police to assess some fault (and a $50 fine) so that insurance companies could not reject medical claims filed by injured cyclists on the basis that “no one was found at fault.”
Last year, the dooring bill passed the Senate but died in a tie vote in the House Transportation Committee. This is an issue of great interest in Northern Virginia, where more folks are riding bikes to work or using Capital Bikeshare to get around and having to coexist with our infamous traffic.
For the second year in a row, Fairfax City state Sen. Chap Petersen (D) championed the bill for a couple of reasons. One, to protect cyclists from suddenly slamming face first into the steel and glass of a car door. Two, to allow local police to assess some fault (and a $50 fine) so that insurance companies could not reject medical claims filed by injured cyclists on the basis that “no one was found at fault.”
Last year, the dooring bill passed the Senate but died in a tie vote in the House Transportation Committee. This is an issue of great interest in Northern Virginia, where more folks are riding bikes to work or using Capital Bikeshare to get around and having to coexist with our infamous traffic.
Labels: dooring, sb 97, Sen. Chap Peterson
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Support bike bills in VA legislature
Virginia Delegates and Senators: Support Bicycling!
Virginia bicyclists: now is the time to act. The Virginia legislature is considering three separate bills which addresses street safety for bicyclists. All three bills have survived their respective legislative body and now are crossing over sides. For this bills to become law, they must now pass out the House and Senate. Please take a moment and ask your elected represenatives to support the bicycling bills.
Support: HB 82 — Following Too Closely
This bill would require drivers of any vehicle to not follow more closely than is reasonable any other vehicle, including bicyclists.
Support: SB 97 – Three Foot Passing Law
This bill requires motorists to leave three feet of clearance while passing bicyclists. 22 other states and Washington, DC that have similar statutes require motorists to pass by three feet or more.
Support: SB 225 - Opening and closing motor vehicle doors.
If this law is enacted, drivers and passengers in Virginia will be legally required to exercise care when opening their car doors with respect to adjacent traffic. Dooring of bicyclists by drivers and passengers can cause serious injury and this bill seeks to reduce the potential of dooring.
Thanks to WABA and Virginia Bicycling Federation for their work on this effort.Virginia bicyclists: now is the time to act. The Virginia legislature is considering three separate bills which addresses street safety for bicyclists. All three bills have survived their respective legislative body and now are crossing over sides. For this bills to become law, they must now pass out the House and Senate. Please take a moment and ask your elected represenatives to support the bicycling bills.
Support: HB 82 — Following Too Closely
This bill would require drivers of any vehicle to not follow more closely than is reasonable any other vehicle, including bicyclists.
Support: SB 97 – Three Foot Passing Law
This bill requires motorists to leave three feet of clearance while passing bicyclists. 22 other states and Washington, DC that have similar statutes require motorists to pass by three feet or more.
Support: SB 225 - Opening and closing motor vehicle doors.
If this law is enacted, drivers and passengers in Virginia will be legally required to exercise care when opening their car doors with respect to adjacent traffic. Dooring of bicyclists by drivers and passengers can cause serious injury and this bill seeks to reduce the potential of dooring.
Labels: dooring, follow too close, hb 82, sb 225, sb 97, three feet to pass
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Dooring bill passes VA Senate
By a vote of 28-12 SB 225 passed the Senate. The bill that would require motorists to refrain from opening their door "until it is reasonably safe to do so." From the VBF website:
If your senator voted for the bill, a note of thanks is in order; if they didn’t, a note expressing your disappointment. More importantly, ask your House delegate to please support this bill when it gets to the House.How Senators Voted
YEAS — Alexander, Barker, Carrico, Colgan, Cosgrove, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Garrett, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, Newman, Norment, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Saslaw, Smith, Vogel, Watkins, Wexton — 28.
NAYS — Black, Hanger, Lewis, Martin, McDougle, Obenshain, Reeves, Ruff, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Wagner — 12.
Labels: dooring, Sen. Chap Peterson
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Three foot passing and Dooring bills to be heard in VA Senate on Wed. - Update 15 Jan
As we noted in an earlier blog post, there are several bills in the Virginia legislature that affect bicyclists. Tomorrow, Wed. Jan. 15, the Three foot passing bill and the Dooring bill will be heard in Senate Transportation Committee. Below is info from Virginia Bicycling Federation:
Two important bike bills will be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow afternoon, Wed. Jan. 15:
SB 97 — Three Foot Passing
SB 225 — Dooring
If your senator is on this committee, please send them a quick note to ask them to support these bills. Champe Burnley reminds us: “…a quick call or a sentence or two with the bill numbers is all you need to do. Remind them that this is about safety on our roads, transportation choices, and saving lives.” If you’d like to go into further detail, we’ve posted talking points.
Use the Who’s My Legislator page to find who your senator is. If they’re on the Transportation Committee, listed below, please send them a note. Click on their name for contact info. You can email them or call.
Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest) Chair
Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond)
Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian)
Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell)
Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach)
Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)
Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville)
Sen. Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke)
Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)
Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach)
Sen. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas)
Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson)
Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington)
Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk
Update: 15 Jan 2014 - The Three foot passing bill was voted out of the Senate Transportation Committee this morning. It was a near unanimous vote; a final count will be available soon. The next step is for the bill to be voted on in the full Senate. See VBF's update on the bill. A vote on the Dooring bill was delayed for a week.SB 97 — Three Foot Passing
SB 225 — Dooring
If your senator is on this committee, please send them a quick note to ask them to support these bills. Champe Burnley reminds us: “…a quick call or a sentence or two with the bill numbers is all you need to do. Remind them that this is about safety on our roads, transportation choices, and saving lives.” If you’d like to go into further detail, we’ve posted talking points.
Use the Who’s My Legislator page to find who your senator is. If they’re on the Transportation Committee, listed below, please send them a note. Click on their name for contact info. You can email them or call.
Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest) Chair
Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond)
Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian)
Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell)
Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach)
Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)
Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville)
Sen. Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke)
Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)
Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach)
Sen. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas)
Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson)
Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington)
Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk
Labels: dooring, three feet to pass
Friday, January 10, 2014
2014 Virginia bicycle legislation
The Virginia legislative session began this week in Richmond. A number of bike-related bills have been introduced. FABB is working with Delegate Comstock, who introduced this year's version of the Following Too Closely bill. She has agreed to modify the bill in committee to ensure that it only applies to motor vehicles, not bicyclists drafting other bicyclists.HB277 would require motorists to actually stop for pedestrians or bicyclists in a crosswalk instead of simply yielding. HB320 would prohibit a motorist from passing another motorist who is stopped for a pedestrian or bicyclist in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. These could be an important changes for cyclists who use the W&OD Trail, or any other trail where it crosses multiple lanes of traffic. Often one motorist will stop for a cyclist but others will continue to zoom past. That could have been the case on Sunrise Valley Dr in Reston where cyclist Cat Freck was struck last year.
WABA published a summary of Virginia bike bills in Bike Legislation to Watch in the 2014 Virginia and Maryland Sessions. :
Virginia Bills:
HB 82 — Following Too Closely: This bill would require drivers of any vehicle to not follow more closely than is reasonable any other vehicle, including bicyclists.
SB 225 – Dooring Legislation: If this law is enacted, drivers and passengers in Virginia will be legally required to exercise care when opening their car doors with respect to adjacent traffic. Dooring of bicyclists by drivers and passengers can cause serious injury and this bill seeks to reduce the potential of dooring.
SB 97 – Three Foot Passing : Current Virgina law requires drivers to exercise care when passing vehicles, including bicyclists, and to give at least two feet when passing. This bill seeks to extend the passing distance to three feet, in line with D.C. and Maryland law.
HB277 – Pedestrians crossing highways: This bill would clarify the duties of vehicles to stop to allow pedestrians (and bicyclists) to cross highways at marked crosswalks. The full bill language helps to define many ambiguities that exist in current law.
HB320: Reckless driving; passing other vehicles at intersections: This bill seeks to amend the legal reckless driving statute by prohibiting a person from overtaking or passing another vehicle stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection when a pedestrian (or bicyclist) is present.
HB 82 — Following Too Closely: This bill would require drivers of any vehicle to not follow more closely than is reasonable any other vehicle, including bicyclists.
SB 225 – Dooring Legislation: If this law is enacted, drivers and passengers in Virginia will be legally required to exercise care when opening their car doors with respect to adjacent traffic. Dooring of bicyclists by drivers and passengers can cause serious injury and this bill seeks to reduce the potential of dooring.
SB 97 – Three Foot Passing : Current Virgina law requires drivers to exercise care when passing vehicles, including bicyclists, and to give at least two feet when passing. This bill seeks to extend the passing distance to three feet, in line with D.C. and Maryland law.
HB277 – Pedestrians crossing highways: This bill would clarify the duties of vehicles to stop to allow pedestrians (and bicyclists) to cross highways at marked crosswalks. The full bill language helps to define many ambiguities that exist in current law.
HB320: Reckless driving; passing other vehicles at intersections: This bill seeks to amend the legal reckless driving statute by prohibiting a person from overtaking or passing another vehicle stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection when a pedestrian (or bicyclist) is present.
Labels: crosswalk, dooring, follow too close, three feet to pass, virginia legislature
Saturday, February 23, 2013
2013 Virginia Bike Bills
The Virginia legislative session officially ends today. This morning the Senate will be voting on the Transportation bill, HB2313, which earlier passed the House by a vote of 60-40. That bill will have a significant impact on bicycling in Northern Virginia, both positive and negative. Bike facilities will be included in most proposed local transportation projects. Many of those project involve road widening and major grade-separated interchanges, both of which often make conditions worse for cyclists. |
| Sen. Chap Peterson who introduced dooring bill. Photo: Connection Newspapers |
Bicycle Bills in VA Legislative Session
Several bike bills were introduced at the start of the 2013 Virginia legislative session. Below is a brief summary of how they fared. See the VBF website for more details.
- SB 736, Motor vehicle doors; requires drivers and passengers to wait for reasonable opportunity to open—Also known as the "dooring" bill. Introduced by Senator Chap Peterson. Failed to report (defeated) in Transportation (7-Y 7-N)
- SB 959, Crossing highways: Allows local governing bodies to adopt ordinances requiring users of shared-use paths to stop before crossing highways at marked crosswalks. Passed by Senate 40-Y, 0-N and House 90-Y, 6-N. Awaiting Governor's signature. Sponsored by Sen. Favola. Text of the bill:
- D. Where a shared-use path crosses a highway at a clearly marked crosswalk and there are no traffic control signals at such crossing, the local governing body may by ordinance require pedestrians, cyclists, and any other users of such shared-used path to come to a complete stop prior to entering such crosswalk. Such local ordinance may provide for a fine not to exceed $100 for violations. Any locality adopting such an ordinance shall install and maintain stop signs, consistent with standards adopted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board and to the extent necessary in coordination with the Department of Transportation. At such crosswalks, no user of such shared-use path shall enter the crosswalk in disregard of approaching traffic.
- E. A locality adopting an ordinance under subsection D shall coordinate the enforcement and placement of any stop signs affecting a shared-use path owned and operated by a park authority formed under Chapter 57 (§ 15.2-5700 et seq.) of Title 15.2 with such authority.
- SB 1060, Following too closely; passing other vehicles—Introduced by Senator Bryce Reeves, includes the three foot passing requirement. Defeated by House 42-Y 55-N.
- HB 1950, Following too closely—House version of the bill. Introduced by Del. Alfonso Lopez, it removes a single word, "motor," from the existing bill. Engrossment refused by House (defeated).
- HB 784, Exercise due care—Introduced by Del. Alfonso Lopez, it "Requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or the operator of a human-powered vehicle." This should not be too much to ask. Passed by indefinitely (defeated) in Transportation by voice vote
- HB 1495, Handheld personal communications devices; prohibits use while operating motor vehicle, etc..—Also known as "Texting while Driving," introduced by Del. Rosalyn Dance. Incorporated by Courts of Justice into HB1907 and passed by the House 92-Y, 4-N, 2-A. Passed Senate 28-Y 12-N
Labels: dooring, follow too close, virginia legislature, virginia transportation bill
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Progress on dooring and 3 foot passing bills
Virginia Bicycling Federation filed the following report on the dooring and 3 foot passing bills:
Senate Bill 736 (the Dooring bill) was reported out of the House Trans SubComm2 this morning by a 4-2 vote, after a motion to Table by Del. Garrett of Lynchburg, seconded by the Chair Del. Cox of Hanover failed by the same vote.
The bill now goes on to the full House Transportation Committee, where it will be heard next Tuesday, 1/2 hour after adjournment, which is usually about 2:15 – 2:30.
Thanks to all who weighed in by contacting committee members, and all will be asked to weigh in over the weekend, as we are getting close to getting this bill passed.
Senate Bill 1060/Reeves (3 foot passing and don’t follow too closely) has now been assigned to House Trans SubComm2, where it will be heard next Wednesday, 2/13 at 7:00 a.m.
Unfortunately SB959, the bill that would allow local jurisdictions to place STOP signs at marked crosswalks, which we think would add confusion to existing code which requires motorists to yield to pedestrians and cyclists at marked crosswalks, was voted out of the House Transportation subcommittee by a vote of 6-0.
The bill now goes on to the full House Transportation Committee, where it will be heard next Tuesday, 1/2 hour after adjournment, which is usually about 2:15 – 2:30.
Thanks to all who weighed in by contacting committee members, and all will be asked to weigh in over the weekend, as we are getting close to getting this bill passed.
Senate Bill 1060/Reeves (3 foot passing and don’t follow too closely) has now been assigned to House Trans SubComm2, where it will be heard next Wednesday, 2/13 at 7:00 a.m.
Labels: dooring, sb1060, sb736, sb959, stop signs
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Dooring bill passes VA Senate
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| Photo from NC Coalition for Bicycle Driving |
The bill introduced by state Sen. Chap Petersen, of the ever-shifting Fairfax City and County district, to prohibit the “dooring” of cyclistspassed the Virginia Senate by a 23-17 vote Tuesday. Last week the Senate Transportation Committee approved it 7-6.
The bill instructs car drivers and passengers — as laws do in at least 40 states and D.C. — not to open their doors in the path of cyclists or any oncoming traffic. With no violation currently on Virginia books, injured cyclists often are rejected for medical coverage by insurance companies because no fault was assessed.
The bill was angrily denounced as an “asinine measure” and “embarrassing” by a Norfolk columnist.
Michael Gilbert of the cycling advocacy group Ride Richmond pointed out that the bill protects moving cars and drivers, who can be forced to swerve around or hit open car doors in traffic, as well as cyclists. Petersen said on his blog that the bill passed in part because “Senate Democrats stayed in peloton formation to support me . . . It now moves on to the Pyrenees, i.e. the House Transportation Committee.”
The bill instructs car drivers and passengers — as laws do in at least 40 states and D.C. — not to open their doors in the path of cyclists or any oncoming traffic. With no violation currently on Virginia books, injured cyclists often are rejected for medical coverage by insurance companies because no fault was assessed.
The bill was angrily denounced as an “asinine measure” and “embarrassing” by a Norfolk columnist.
Michael Gilbert of the cycling advocacy group Ride Richmond pointed out that the bill protects moving cars and drivers, who can be forced to swerve around or hit open car doors in traffic, as well as cyclists. Petersen said on his blog that the bill passed in part because “Senate Democrats stayed in peloton formation to support me . . . It now moves on to the Pyrenees, i.e. the House Transportation Committee.”
Labels: dooring, Sen. Chap Peterson
