Motorists must give bicyclists breathing room under new state law (LA Times)

[pinto]

Motorists must give bicyclists breathing room under new state law

By Melanie Mason and Patrick McGreevy
September 24, 2013, 12:08 p.m.

With Southern California still building its infrastructure for bicycles, Gov. Jerry Brown and the state Legislature gave riders a bit of breathing room -- 3 feet to be exact.

Brown signed a measure Monday requiring California drivers to provide 3 feet of space between their vehicle and any bicyclist they pass on the road — or to slow to a safe speed as the bicycle goes by. The bill does not specify what speed that is.

The bill represents a partial victory for bicyclists who have lobbied for years for stricter safety measures in response to a large number of accidents involving cars and bicycles.

Brown vetoed a similar bill last year that also would have directed motorists to cross the double yellow line into opposing traffic lanes if safe to do so and necessary to provide the 3-foot buffer.

The provision on crossing into other lanes was removed from this year's bill, AB 1371, by Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bicyclists-cars-3-foot-buffer-state-law-20130924,0,279091.story

[Hoyt]

1. When I was big into riding, I swear some folks liked to see just how close they could come to you.

I caught up to a few of them too.

[pinto]

2. Live in a town w/ a good number of bike riders. Have seen some real close calls. And collisions.

Not sure about day-to-day enforcement on this, but a heads up for motorists.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

3. I'm curious how a cyclist that runs a red or a stop sign will be covered under this law

if they are hit by a motor vehicle.

When the new law takes effect next September, a violation will be an infraction punishable by a base fine of $35 plus court fees. For violators who collide with a bicyclist, causing injury, the fine is $220.

I know, as a cyclist who does not run stop signs and waits on the red, that a great many cyclists take their lives in their own hands at times. Within the last week I have seen cyclists run red lights during rush hour, cycling up both sides of the street in tandem, passing other cyclists and entering into the traffic lane without looking, riding the wrong way down a one-way street and flying through crosswalk while pedestrians are trying to use them.

That's just what I have seen in Cambridge and Lexington Massachusetts.


I hope that the law will also address cyclist safety, and require a helmet for all adults as well as teaching them that they have to obey the rules of the road.

[Link Speed]

4. Our town could balance its budget

if we cited cyclists for running signs and lights.

[pinto]

5. Yeah, happens fairly often here. I hope the message is safe streets for all.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. This law concerns passing. I'm trying to envision how the scenario you suggest could happen.

In what situation would a car be passing a bicyclist while the latter is in the process of running a red/stop sign?


I'm a well behaved cyclist too but I used to live in Boston and act like it. I've yelled at idiot cyclists -- most recently when one of them swung wide off of a sidewalk to enter the trail and ended up coming straight at me. Also yell at the ones who charge through crosswalks. Yelling at fellow travelers is a big no-no here but I can't shake my training.

I'm all for enforcement of egregious infractions by cyclists. I'd love to see rules-of-the-road training offered at every bike shop and bike vendor. I'm also really glad that this law passed. Most motorists give bicycles a wide berth but for various reasons others don't.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

8. I was just wondering if the law was intentionally vague on one part or how detailed it would be.

When the new law takes effect next September, a violation will be an infraction punishable by a base fine of $35 plus court fees. For violators who collide with a bicyclist, causing injury, the fine is $220.

The cyclist could be hit by a motorist at an intersection if said cyclist runs a red or stop sign and not by the motorist in passing.

If there weren't enough witnesses the motorist could be in for a rough ride...pardon the pun.


When I was younger cyclist I was cut off by a motorist at an intersection on purpose. They then took off. Really fucking funny. The effect was that I had to lock up my brakes and nearly fly over my front tire...so I know that shit happens all too well. I have also been on the other end where a cyclist hit my car trying to run a red while I was stationary waiting for the green.

I felt terrible about that, but I got mad pretty quick when after picking himself up off the street the cyclist attempted to assign blame to me. "You hit me", he said.

"Dude, you were running the red and hit a stationary object", was my reply.

He limped off, but my point is if this law was in effect in Massachusetts what would be the legal ramifications? Could he have hit me and still used the law to his benefit?


One more story, and I understand that this has to be taken as an anecdote. A friend of mine, not always that bright on the road, was riding his cycle in Cambridge. He came to an intersection with a red light and a big truck waiting for the green. Does he hang back like a normal vehicle would do? No. He gets right up along side the truck and curb to wait. The truck moves forward on the green and runs over my friends foot. Instant litigation. Instant settlement for my friend.

I never asked how much his settlement was, but he could have been hurt far worse since he never wore a helmet. I was also peeved at him for acting dumb and getting rewarded for it.

That would be my concern in how far any cyclist-friendly legislation would go if it was lopsided.
So my point is

[Mr.Bill]

7. Now they need a penalty for this: