Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Innovative 3-Foot Passing Enforcement
Enforcing Virginia's three-foot passing law can be difficult. When cyclists complain to police about problems like motorists passing them too closely, the usual response is that there's nothing they can do. Unless an officer sees the infraction, the only evidence is usually the cyclists' word versus the motorists'. Having video footage can help but often cameras on bikes are only mounted on either the rear or front, missing potentially useful viewpoints.Despite what many police say, even without video of the event it is possible to report the incident. See FABB's How to Report an Aggressive/Reckless Driver info.
Police in West Midlands, a county in northwest England, are using an innovative way to enforce their safe passing law. Using front and rear-facing video cameras, police ride along roads where cyclists can expect close passes, recording infractions and working with other officers to stop the offenders. Fairfax police could use this method as well:
Operation Close Pass
In September 2016, the West Midlands Police force, the UK’s second largest, launched Operation Close Pass. Initiated by officers concerned with the safety of cyclists, its purpose was to address unsafe overtakes and passing distances by motorists. Using Cycliq's Fly6 and Fly12 all-in-one bike cameras and safety lights, officers recorded drivers from an on-bike viewpoint.
Operation Close Pass was praised by cyclists and media alike and attracted a lot of attention in the national press. Afterwards, The Road Danger Reduction Forum also gave an award to the West Midlands Police for 'Give Space, Be Safe'. More importantly, there was an immediate impact on local drivers as can be read on the West Midlands Police’s own 'Behind the badge' blog. Equipped with Fly6 and Fly12, one team of officers rode around traffic hot-spots and informed their close-by patrol car colleagues by radio of any infractions. Offending drivers were pulled over and offered the option of formal proceedings; namely a fine or, dependent on the severity of the offense, a road-side education on the vulnerability of cyclists and road rules.
In September 2016, the West Midlands Police force, the UK’s second largest, launched Operation Close Pass. Initiated by officers concerned with the safety of cyclists, its purpose was to address unsafe overtakes and passing distances by motorists. Using Cycliq's Fly6 and Fly12 all-in-one bike cameras and safety lights, officers recorded drivers from an on-bike viewpoint.
Operation Close Pass was praised by cyclists and media alike and attracted a lot of attention in the national press. Afterwards, The Road Danger Reduction Forum also gave an award to the West Midlands Police for 'Give Space, Be Safe'. More importantly, there was an immediate impact on local drivers as can be read on the West Midlands Police’s own 'Behind the badge' blog. Equipped with Fly6 and Fly12, one team of officers rode around traffic hot-spots and informed their close-by patrol car colleagues by radio of any infractions. Offending drivers were pulled over and offered the option of formal proceedings; namely a fine or, dependent on the severity of the offense, a road-side education on the vulnerability of cyclists and road rules.
West Midlands Police PC Chris Brock said, "The Cycliq cameras we have been using are invaluable in capturing the evidence necessary to make #Opclosepass such a success. The high definition images from the front and rear cameras enabled us to record a continuous stream of footage to evidence the offences disclosed. The associated Cycliq App allows us to show offenders their misdemeanors on the spot, making it very difficult for drivers to dispute them. Due to the footage captured during numerous Police operations in the West Midlands, Cycliq's on-board bike cameras have aided in the prosecution and education of over 200 drivers to date.”
Praised by many
"Within a week cyclists were contacting us to tell us things had had not only improved, but improved considerably. There were still close passes, always will be, 'can’t get them all', but they have become a rarity rather than commonplace." says PC Chris Brock.
This change in driver's behaviour around cyclists just shows that raising awareness for safe passing distances can have a significant impact.
Intended to educate, not prosecute
Overall, the response from offenders was very positive. This campaign did not have the intent to prosecute as many drivers as possible, but rather educate them. Awareness is necessary to be able to assess the situation around cyclists and then decide on safe overtakes. Only 1% of the offenders were actually given 'Traffic Process Reports', and quite often this was due to other violations (i.e. on the phone while driving, driving without insurance, and oh, the lady putting her dog back in its cage).
More UK police forces to replicate the operation
We understand that in addition to WMP, now the Greater Manchester, Somerset & Avon, Scottish and North Wales police stations all have Cycliq products to assist them with helping to make the roads safer for everyone. In addition, more police forces are looking to introducing the close pass scheme as can be read on Cycling Weekly. In fact, the Greater Manchester Police force has just launched their own Close Pass initiative.
Labels: three feet to pass
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Three foot passing law goes into effect today
Cyclists on the trail should also take the three foot passing law into consideration when passing others. While experienced riders may be comfortable being passed by less than three feet, a margin of error should be allowed when passing anyone to allow for any erratic or sudden movements.
Labels: three feet to pass
Friday, June 27, 2014
Three feet please - It's Virginia Law starting July 1
Virginia Bicycling Federation released the following press release on the three foot passing law:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VA Bicycling Federation
June 25, 2014
Contact: Champe Burnley 804.358.5801 champe_burnley@hotmail.com
New Law Should Decrease Fatalities and Injuries on Virginia Roads
RICHMOND – Virginia’s roads should be safer for bicyclists across Virginia beginning July 1. That’s when a new law requiring motorists to pass bicyclists by three feet goes into effect.
“As we see more people choose to ride bikes or walk rather than drive their cars, this extra foot of clearance makes streets much safer for cyclists” according to Champe Burnley, President of the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) who supported the legislation. “We hope that drivers will use extra care when they pass a rider and avoid potential crashes.”
Virginia law currently requires a motorist to pass a bicyclist by two feet. The Commonwealth is the twenty-first state to pass a three foot law. Pennsylvania requires four feet.
According to statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office, in 2013, eight people died and more than 600 people were injured in crashes involving bicycles on Virginia roadways.
The legislation was sponsored by Senator Bryce Reeves, R- Spotsylvania. "Our ability to be able to work across the aisle and build relationships in a bipartisan manner allowed us to successfully get this commonsense legislation approved. Those that are active in the bicycling community—as well as my Republican and Democrat friends in both the House of Delegates and the Senate—were all part of making this legislation possible. I will continue to work very hard on areas where we can find common ground and consensus for the people of Virginia."
The VBF is working with other organizations like DriveSmart Virginia and state agencies such as DMV, VDOT and the Virginia State Police to educate drivers about the new law.
Drive Smart Virginia is selling bumper stickers of the image above.
June 25, 2014
Contact: Champe Burnley 804.358.5801 champe_burnley@hotmail.com
New Law Should Decrease Fatalities and Injuries on Virginia Roads
RICHMOND – Virginia’s roads should be safer for bicyclists across Virginia beginning July 1. That’s when a new law requiring motorists to pass bicyclists by three feet goes into effect.
“As we see more people choose to ride bikes or walk rather than drive their cars, this extra foot of clearance makes streets much safer for cyclists” according to Champe Burnley, President of the Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) who supported the legislation. “We hope that drivers will use extra care when they pass a rider and avoid potential crashes.”
Virginia law currently requires a motorist to pass a bicyclist by two feet. The Commonwealth is the twenty-first state to pass a three foot law. Pennsylvania requires four feet.
According to statistics from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office, in 2013, eight people died and more than 600 people were injured in crashes involving bicycles on Virginia roadways.
The legislation was sponsored by Senator Bryce Reeves, R- Spotsylvania. "Our ability to be able to work across the aisle and build relationships in a bipartisan manner allowed us to successfully get this commonsense legislation approved. Those that are active in the bicycling community—as well as my Republican and Democrat friends in both the House of Delegates and the Senate—were all part of making this legislation possible. I will continue to work very hard on areas where we can find common ground and consensus for the people of Virginia."
The VBF is working with other organizations like DriveSmart Virginia and state agencies such as DMV, VDOT and the Virginia State Police to educate drivers about the new law.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
In WV, honk before passing
According to the article New law aims to make bicycle riders safer, in West Virginia, motorists must now honk before passing a bicyclist. How would you like it if every motorist who passed you honked just before passing? The law also requires that bicyclists traveling "less than the normal speed of traffic...shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use." There are many situations in which riding in a poorly designed bike lane can be dangerous. The good news is that WV now has a three-foot passing bill.
Bicycling for fun and transportation is becoming more common, so a new law now requires West Virginia’s drivers to give bicycles some extra room on the roads.
The Bicycle Safety Bill (HB-4304) requires bicycles to generally travel in bicycle lanes or as close as practical to the right edge of the roadway. This new law also requires drivers to give bicycle riders an audible signal when passing. Drivers must also pass on the left at a distance of not less than three feet.
Local bicycle riders attending an inaugural bike run sponsored by the Bluefield, W.Va. Rotary Club welcomed the new law. Peter Romano, who organized Saturday’s event, said the law was good. More bicycle lanes would be welcome. College Avenue in Bluefield, for instance, could be wide enough for a bicycle lane, he added.
The Bicycle Safety Bill (HB-4304) requires bicycles to generally travel in bicycle lanes or as close as practical to the right edge of the roadway. This new law also requires drivers to give bicycle riders an audible signal when passing. Drivers must also pass on the left at a distance of not less than three feet.
Local bicycle riders attending an inaugural bike run sponsored by the Bluefield, W.Va. Rotary Club welcomed the new law. Peter Romano, who organized Saturday’s event, said the law was good. More bicycle lanes would be welcome. College Avenue in Bluefield, for instance, could be wide enough for a bicycle lane, he added.
Update: The existing law requires motorists to honk when passing another vehicle, but it does not appear that a bicycle is a vehicle, so it may not be the case that motorists must honk before passing a bicyclist.
Here's another article on the new law in the article New W.Va. law reflects strong bicycle culture.
Labels: audible warning before passing, three feet to pass, west virginia
Thursday, June 5, 2014
3 Feet Please - On July 1 it will be the law
Virginia Bicycling Federation is working with Senator Reeve's office, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), State Police, the health community, local police and others on a Three Foot Passing campaign. The goal is to have a press conference on June 26. We'll post more info as it develops.
It's not too early to start spreading the word. Three feet will be the MINIMUM passing distance. At higher speeds a greater passing distance is better. The new law is a great opportunity to educate motorists that bicyclists belong on the road. When we're riding in a lane that is not wide enough for us to ride safely and a motorist to pass by three feet, then they shouldn't pass. We're not required to ride on the sidewalk as many people seem to think when they shout at us from their cars. Riding on the sidewalk is usually more dangerous than riding in the road, and most sidewalks do not connect to the places we want to travel.
Labels: three feet to pass
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Three foot passing bill goes into effect July 1
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| On July 1 Virginia will too! |
This is a major victory for Virginia Bicycling Federation, WABA, and everyone else who worked to get this bill passed, including FABB supporters who contacted their legislators during the session (see the FABB three feet to pass coverage). Thanks to everyone for their hard work.
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| Dangerous pass. Note bike wheel in lower left corner of photo. |
Why not celebrate early and encourage everyone to allow three feet or more to pass bicyclists (unlike the driver of the truck and trailer seen in the photo at the right taken today in Reston).
Labels: three feet to pass, virginia bicycling federation, waba
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Three foot passing bill approved in VA Senate and House
Thanks to everyone who worked to help get this bill approved after several thwarted attempts in the past. Thanks especially to the hard work done by folks at Virginia Bicycling Federation; without their efforts the bill would not have been passed. We'll link to more info about the bill once VBF folks return from the National Bike Summit and have time to post the details.
Passage of the bill will be a great opportunity to educate motorists about their responsibilities when passing bicyclists.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Three Foot Passing bill clears House Transportation Committee; Following Too Close bill fails in Senate
Please contact your Virginia Delegate and ask them to support this bill. To find out your Delegate see a link at the top of the Virginia General Assembly page or visit WABA's action page.
Unfortunately House Bill 82 was defeated in the Senate Transportation Committee. See Virginia Bicycling Federation's account of the vote. Thanks to Delegate Barbara Comstock who sponsored the bill and worked with cyclists to try to get it passed.
Labels: delegate comstock, follow too close, hb 82, sb 97, three feet to pass
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
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
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Serious about sharing the road
Several people shared this article about how Austin police enforce their 3 foot passing law, Serious about sharing the road. In Austin "motorists must allow at least 3 feet of clearance when passing vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, construction workers and pedestrians. Heavy trucks must allow at least 6 feet." This year VA cyclists will likely make another attempt to get the 3 foot passing law in Virginia. This is how the bill fared last year as part of the Following too closely bill. |
| It's not a good idea to pass this Austin undercover policewoman too close. Note the camera on her handlebars. Photo: AustinAmerican-Statesman |
Before they hit the streets, the undercover cyclists practice judging the 3-foot distance by setting up a pole and riding past it. They measure the distance from the end of the handlebar to the farthest part of vehicle — usually the mirror. GoPro video cameras mounted on the bike record everything.
“If I were riding along and could reach out and touch the mirror, those get a citation,” says Cunningham, who was a cyclist before she became a police officer. “If it’s one we feel is right on the cusp, we give a warning.”
In the nearly four years since the law went into effect, officers have written 104 citations and warnings for people violating it, according to Cmdr. Fred Fletcher with the Austin Police Department. A ticket costs $167, but and violators can take a defensive cycling class at Municipal Court in lieu of paying the fine.
Labels: austin, police, three feet to pass
Friday, January 25, 2013
3 foot passing and following too close bill passes Senate
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"Following too closely; passing other vehicles. Includes bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds among vehicles that the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow more closely than is reasonable. The bill also increases from two feet to three feet the minimum clearance between a passing vehicle and an overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle."
The next step is approval by the full Senate. See the VBF reports on the bill. Thanks to VBF for monitoring progress of the bill and speaking out in support during the committee hearing.Labels: follow too close, three feet to pass
Sunday, November 13, 2011
VBF Fall Retreat
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| VBF Fall Retreat |
The State Bicycle Policy Plan was recently released and could have a very positive impact on development of bicycle facilities. Unfortunately there was little time for discussion of the plan. VBF did have copies (front and back) of revisions to the current VA bike map. It appeared that relatively minor changes are being proposed. Several of us recorded comments on the draft map. I think the map could contain much more detail.
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| Ride after Saturday's meeting |
Of note, a new hostel in downtown Richmond is under construction and should be open in 2012. It is located very close to the East Coast Greenway and USBR 1, and not far from USBR 76.
Richmond will be the host for the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships, which is expected to draw 500,000 cycling fans to Richmond, visitors who will likely be traveling to other parts of the state. The races are expected to have a $135,000,000 impact on the Richmond area.
Chris Scott of Shenandoah Mountain Touring talked about a proposal for linking several mountain bike trails to create the Virginia Mountain Bike Trail. See a video clip of a ride on a portion of the trail.
Representatives from American Bikes and the Alliance for Biking and Walking gave an update on the U.S. Transportation Bill. Funding for Transportation Enhancements, which provided the bulk of funding for bike/ped projects in the past, has been cut and future projects will be lumped together with Safe Routes to School, recreational trails, and environmental mitigation projects. Even worse, states can opt-out of bike and ped funding altogether. The Senate bill should come before the full Senate this week. Stay tuned for possible advocacy alerts.
One of the main goals of the retreat was to develop a consensus on a legislative agenda for 2012. Bud Vye of VBF gave a recap of the attempt last year to pass the 3 foot passing bill. After some discussion it was agreed that VBF would try to find a sponsor for the 3 foot passing bill again this year. Bike Charlottesville cyclists are working on a bill to make "dooring" (opening a car door into the path of a bicycle or other vehicle) subject to a ticket and fine. We'll post info on the FABB blog during the session, as will VBF.
The day was capped with a 15 mile ride through the beautiful Virginia countryside. Thanks to VBF for organizing and hosting the summit.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Recent bike-related news
Bill tackles passing space around bicycles is an interesting article that appears in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the Three Feet to Pass bill that will be heard in the House Transportation Committee this week:McDougle, the Senate bill's patron, was riding in the Northern Neck last summer when he had a close encounter. "I was on a two-lane rural road and had somebody pass extremely close, so close that I had to move over, almost off the pavement," he said. "After that experience, a number of bicycling organizations came to me sometime later in the summer. I had a pretty good understanding of why they were trying to do it."
On this NPR's Morning Edition there was a brief discussion of a recent study entitled Estimating the Employment Impacts of Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Road Infrastructure. The study was mentioned previously on several blogs when it came out in December:
"for a given amount of spending, bike lanes create about twice as many jobs as road construction."
"Each $1 million spent creating on-street bike lanes directly creates 7.9 jobs and creates a total of 14.4 jobs when we include the indirect and induced effects," the author, Heidi Garrett-Peltier, writes, "The two categories of road repairs have the lowest employment effects, with 3-4 direct jobs and approximately 7 total jobs created for each $1 million."
"Each $1 million spent creating on-street bike lanes directly creates 7.9 jobs and creates a total of 14.4 jobs when we include the indirect and induced effects," the author, Heidi Garrett-Peltier, writes, "The two categories of road repairs have the lowest employment effects, with 3-4 direct jobs and approximately 7 total jobs created for each $1 million."
Labels: bike lanes, three feet to pass
Friday, February 11, 2011
Another reason for three feet passing bill
We happened across this news article about a cyclist who was struck by a motorist while riding in Stuarts Draft, Virginia:Virginia State Police say a 55-year-old man was skimmed by a pickup truck in Stuarts Draft February 4. Police say the man was riding a bicycle on Stuarts Draft Highway when the side mirror of a passing truck struck his arm, and the mirror broke off the truck. The bicycle rider was not seriously hurt, but police say the truck kept driving.
This is the first time I've heard the term "skimmed" used in this way. I've always heard the term "buzzed" used when a motorist passes too close to a cyclist. It's also interesting that the "truck kept driving." I didn't realize that driverless vehicles were in production.As we mentioned earlier, the three feet passing bill (SB 928) passed the Senate and will be heard in the House next week. Your help is needed to ensure passage.
Labels: buzzed, three feet to pass
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Three feet passing bill (SB 928) moves to House Trans Comm
Even though the three feet passing bill was defeated in the House, the Senate version, SB 928, was approved unanimously in the Senate and now moves to the House Transportation Committee. Please contact the Fairfax members of this committee to ask them to support SB 928.- Thomas Rust, Herndon, 804 698-1086, deltrust@house.virginia.gov
- Timothy Hugo, Centreville, 804 698-1040, delthugo@house.virginia.gov
- Barbara Comstock, Great Falls/McLean, 804 698-1034, delbcomstock@house.virginia.gov
- Eileen Filler-Corn, Burke, 804 698-1041, delefiller-corn@house.virginia.gov
Dear Delegate ,
I am writing to ask you to support SB 928 which requires motorists to allow 3 feet when passing bicyclists. Three feet is a much safer passing distance than 2 ft for a fast moving motor vehicle overtaking and passing a cyclist. I personally have been passed by too closely by motorists on numerous occasions. The distance is easy to measure as well, being approximately one arms length.
SB 928 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-0. Passage of the bill will encourage more courteous road use will be an opportunity to educate motor vehicle operators to allow for a wider margin of error when passing cyclists, and potentially reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists.
Eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia, have now adopted three feet to pass bills. Similar bills are pending in 7 states. The League of American Bicyclists has adopted this standard as one of the criteria for designating a state or city as "Bicycle Friendly." Please support the bill.
Sincerely,
I am writing to ask you to support SB 928 which requires motorists to allow 3 feet when passing bicyclists. Three feet is a much safer passing distance than 2 ft for a fast moving motor vehicle overtaking and passing a cyclist. I personally have been passed by too closely by motorists on numerous occasions. The distance is easy to measure as well, being approximately one arms length.
SB 928 passed the Senate by a vote of 40-0. Passage of the bill will encourage more courteous road use will be an opportunity to educate motor vehicle operators to allow for a wider margin of error when passing cyclists, and potentially reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists.
Eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia, have now adopted three feet to pass bills. Similar bills are pending in 7 states. The League of American Bicyclists has adopted this standard as one of the criteria for designating a state or city as "Bicycle Friendly." Please support the bill.
Sincerely,
Update: WABA has posted a message about SB 928 with an easy way to send a letter to the seven committee members from Northern Virginia to ask them to support the bill.
Labels: delegate comstock, delegate filler-corn, delegate hugo, delegate rust, three feet to pass
Monday, February 7, 2011
Three feet passing bill (SB 928) passes Senate
The Senate version of the three feet to pass bill, SB 928, was approved by the Senate today in a unanimous vote, 40-0. Now it goes back to the House, where the House version was defeated in committee by a vote of 4-3. Newport News Delegate Oder, who voted against the House version, has indicated that he would support the Senate version after discussing the bill with VBF and others. No need to contact Delegate Oder; he has heard from cyclists.Update: We were premature in stating that the Senate passed SB 928 yesterday. It did pass the full Senate today.
Labels: delegate oder, sb928, three feet to pass
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Three feet passing bill (HB 1683) video
If you want to see an example of how the Virginia legislature works, Bike Charlottesville has posted a video of the committee meeting in which House Delegates debate HB 1683, the bill to require motorist to allow three feet when passing a bicyclists. It's a little discouraging to see that people who write our laws know so little about the existing laws, at least as they apply to bicyclists. Several times it's stated that cyclists cannot ride two abreast whereas the law states: "Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, shall move into a single file formation as quickly as is practicable when being overtaken from the rear by a faster moving vehicle, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride in a single lane." 46.2-905.Another legislator states: "Is there any requirement for a bicyclist to ride on the right hand side of the road?" The code states: "Any person operating a bicycle, ... on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under conditions then existing shall ride as close as safely practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following circumstances:" 46.2-905.
Bud Vye of Virginia Bicycling Federation did a good job of setting the record straight, albeit after the bill was defeated. There's also an interesting discussion with Del. Toscano outside the committee afterwards. Tim Rosato was there representing FABB.
Virginia House Transportation Subcommittee 2 deliberates HB 1683 Jan 26 2011 from Heather Higgins on Vimeo.
Labels: bike charlottesville, three feet to pass
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
House committee kills three feet to pass bills
Virginia Bicycling Federation is reporting that the three feet to pass bills were killed when heard in the the House Transportation Subcommittee 2 this morning. This is very disappointing news. We know that several cyclists, including Tim R of FABB, made the trip to Richmond to testify in favor of the bill. The identical Senate bill is still alive. From VBF:Senate Bill Still Alive
HB1683 and 2194, the three foot bills sponsored by Delegates Tuscano and Ebbin were killed this morning in a close 4 to 3 vote in House Subcommittee #2.
Voting in favor were Delegates Jeion A. Ward, Betsy B. Carr, and William H. Cleaveland,.
Voting against the bills were Delegates Charles W. Carrico, (Chair), John A. Cox,, G. Glenn Oder, T. Scott Garrett.
Senator McDougle’s bill in the Senate is still alive.
HB1683 and 2194, the three foot bills sponsored by Delegates Tuscano and Ebbin were killed this morning in a close 4 to 3 vote in House Subcommittee #2.
Voting in favor were Delegates Jeion A. Ward, Betsy B. Carr, and William H. Cleaveland,.
Voting against the bills were Delegates Charles W. Carrico, (Chair), John A. Cox,, G. Glenn Oder, T. Scott Garrett.
Senator McDougle’s bill in the Senate is still alive.
Labels: three feet to pass
