Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Virginia bicycle-related legislation
Several bills have been filed in Richmond that affect cyclists: Requiring motorists to allow three feet when passing a bicyclist, allowing bicyclists to pass through a red light after a specified period of time, and creating a new infraction, reckless operation of a bicycle, with lower penalties than the current reckless driving law. As we learn more about these bills we will publish it here. During the legislative session, which begins today, Virginia Bicycling Federation tracks bike-related bills on their site.Three feet passing bills:
HOUSE BILL NO. 1683 (SB1683)—A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 46.2-816, 46.2-838, and 46.2-839 of the Code of Virginia, relating to following too close and passing other vehicles. Patron: Delegate David Toscano (D-Charlottesville).
The bill involves three existing sections of VA code:
§ 46.2-816. Following too closely.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.
§ 46.2-838. Passing when overtaking a vehicle.
The driver of any motor vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at least two feet to the left of the overtaken vehicle and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article.
§ 46.2-839. Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.
Any driver of any vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a reasonable speed at leasttwo three feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle and shall not again proceed to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.
The Senate version of this bill is SENATE BILL NO. 928 (SB928). It contains identical wording as HB1683. Patron: Senator McDougle (R-Hanover).The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another
§ 46.2-838. Passing when overtaking a vehicle.
The driver of any motor vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at least two feet to the left of the overtaken vehicle and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article.
§ 46.2-839. Passing bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle.
Any driver of any vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a reasonable speed at least
Proceeding through a red light:
HOUSE BILL NO. 1981 (HB1982)- A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-833 of the Code of Virginia, relating to traffic lights. Patron: Delegate Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls)
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign, and (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed.
A similar bill modifies the above so that a bicyclist can proceed through the light if after they have waited for 120 seconds:HOUSE BILL NO. 1991 - A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-833 of the Code of Virginia, relating to traffic lights. Patron: Delegate William Janis (R-Glen Allen)
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a driver of a motorcycle or moped or a bicycle rider approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light, the driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider (i) comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for 120 seconds, (ii) exercises due care as provided by law, (iii) otherwise treats the traffic control devices as a stop sign, and (iv) determines that it is safe to proceed.
Reckless operation of a bicycle:SENATE BILL NO. 905 - A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 12 of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-908.1:1, relating to reckless operation of a bicycle. Patron: Senator Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 12 of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-908.1:1 as follows:
§ 46.2-908.1:1. Reckless operation of a bicycle.
Any person who operates a bicycle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property shall be guilty of reckless cycling. No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for violations of this section.
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 12 of Chapter 8 of Title 46.2 a section numbered 46.2-908.1:1 as follows:
§ 46.2-908.1:1. Reckless operation of a bicycle.
Any person who operates a bicycle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property shall be guilty of reckless cycling. No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for violations of this section.
Labels: hb1683, sb928, three feet to pass, virginia
Monday, January 10, 2011
State bike coordinator position still vacant
The Virginia state bicycle coordinator position has been vacant for a year and VDOT is still trying to fill the position. The latest bike coordinator job announcement closes on January 18. The salary range is $40,959 - $65,000. In a time of high unemployment there seems to be little reason for this position to go unfilled. While the salary range seems low, there must be many young bicycle professionals looking for work. There would certainly be many challenges; perhaps too many. Why is this job going unfilled?Labels: bicycle coordinator, virginia
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Draft State Bicycle Policy Plan comments
Recommendations from the Plan we strongly support that could have a major impact on future bicycle facilities include:
- Semi-annual review the bike policy implementation (Action 1.2b)
- Allowing narrow travel lanes (down to 10 feet) to provide space for bike lanes (Action 1.3a). This is currently done in Arlington Co. and elsewhere with little impact on road capacity.
- Reviewing lane widths and capacity during new construction, reconstruction and resurfacing projects to provide space for bicyclists (Road Diets, Action 1.3b). This could lead to more projects similar to the one that created the Lawyers Rd. bike lanes.
- Improving routine maintenance by VDOT of state-maintained bicycle routes, shared use paths, paved shoulders, bicycle lanes, and other existing bicycle facilities (Action 1.7c).
- Better use of shoulder paving funds (Action 1.8a).
- Each VDOT District should have a bicycle advisory committee. This will improve communication between VDOT and area bicyclists and give bicyclists an opportunity to provide feedback on current problems and planned projects.
- VDOT should provide recommendations on bike parking and shower and changing facilities at buildings owned or occupied by the Commonwealth of Virginia. VDOT should also encourage use of bicycles by state employees to be a model for businesses and other organizations.
- VDOT should encourage more people to use bicycles for short trips by providing public service announcements, fact sheets, and other encouragement materials.
- VDOT should track and make better use of the 2% of maintenance funds dedicated to providing paved shoulders for bicyclists. Two-foot shoulders are not sufficient for bicycle travel. The minimum should be increased to three feet, with four feet being the preferred width.
Labels: bicycle policy plan, vdot, virginia
Friday, August 13, 2010
Draft State Bicycle Policy Plan released
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has developed the State Bicycle Policy Plan to ensure bicyclists are an integral component of Virginia’s multimodal transportation system, and to provide bicycle policy recommendations that will guide the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of bicycle accommodations.
The draft plan provides strategies and identifies opportunities for enhancing the implementation of the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s 2004 Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations, as well as VDOT’s coordination within the agency and with stakeholders across the commonwealth.
The VDOT State Bicycle Policy Plan, including a summary of recommendations is available for public review and comment beginning Monday, Aug. 16, and concluding Friday, Sept. 17, 2010.
In an earlier FABB blog post we noted that this draft was expected in mid-February. Since that time the state bicycle coordinator left his position, which likely delayed completion of the draft.The draft plan provides strategies and identifies opportunities for enhancing the implementation of the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s 2004 Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations, as well as VDOT’s coordination within the agency and with stakeholders across the commonwealth.
The VDOT State Bicycle Policy Plan, including a summary of recommendations is available for public review and comment beginning Monday, Aug. 16, and concluding Friday, Sept. 17, 2010.
As stated in the title, this is a policy document. There are few specific facility recommendations. Those are left to the local jurisdictions, even though VDOT controls most roads in the state. There are recommendations for the segments of US Bike Routes 1 and 76 in Virginia. Fortunately Fairfax County has begun the bicycle master planning process to develop specific recommendations for the county.
We plan to review the document and prepare comments that we'll post here.
Labels: bicycle policy plan, vdot, virginia
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Governor Kaine encourages government employees to drive less
Yesterday Governor Kaine issued Executive Order 82, Greening of State Government to encourage state employees to reduce the environmental impact of government operations. One way to reduce their impact is to drive less:Every day we each make choices that result in impacts to the environment; opportunities to lessen these impacts abound. For instance, we can reduce automobile emissions by holding videoconferences or conference calls rather than face-to-face meetings and by walking, bicycling, carpooling, or taking transit to work.
Another way is to promote smart growth by locating government buildings near transit and in bike/ped-friendly places:When a Commonwealth agency or institution is to lease space or build a new building in a metropolitan area where public transportation is available, it shall seek to lease or build within a quarter mile of a transit or commuter rail stop. The Commonwealth also shall, when leasing and building facilities, seek locations that are pedestrian and bicycle accessible. The Commonwealth shall encourage the private sector to adopt green building standards by striving to lease facilities that meet the same standards as those required for new state construction as outlined above. The Division of Real Estate Services of the Department of General Services shall consider these preferences in approving new leases or extensions of current leases.
Labels: bike commuting, governor kaine, virginia
