The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
How cars and bicycles share the road has become a concern of some Virginia lawmakers.
After hearing testimony that 11 bicyclists were killed in crashes with cars last year, the House Transportation Committee approved a bill this morning to increase the required clearance when passing a bicycle from 2 to 3 feet.
The bill, HB1048, sponsored by Del. Kaye Kory, D-Fairfax County, drew support from bicyclist groups, Drive Smart Virginia, Fairfax County and Virginia Beach.
The closeness of the vote, 11-9, signals that the measure has an uncertain future on the House floor.
Some panel members noted that with a typical travel-lane width of 11 feet and a typical vehicle width of 8 feet, a 3-foot passing clearance doesn’t leave much margin for error.
One committee member, Del. Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, suggested that “bicyclists ought to police themselves.”
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more to think about
As an avid biker I see both sides of the argument. There have been times I have almost been hit by a car, and there have also been times where, as a motorist, I have been annoyed with bikers on the roads, especially the ones traveling big groups. But the reality of the situation is this. Bikers will bike on the roads where you drive. THEY WILL BE THERE. Like it or not. So how can motorists and bikers cohabitate peacefully and safely? As a motorist, the burden to keep the biker safe is really on your shoulders and not on the bikers'. This doesn't seem fair to the motorist, but this inequality stems from the nature of a bike versus a car. They are NOT equal. In a collision, the car and motorist are usually fine and the biker is wasted, sometimes killed. It really doesn't matter who is at fault, pit a car and bike together, the bike and biker will lose everytime. This law is not about rights but protection. As a motorist you are morally obligated to restrain yourself, slow down, give more room in order to ensure the safety of the biker. Again, not really fair,but look at the alternative. Do you really want to hit a biker? Imagine how your life would change. What would you tell to your
Make It Happen Virginia:3 Feet Please
Make it happpen Virginia. Motorists can use and will find value in a concrete frame of reference–3 Feet Please–when passing cyclists from the rear. Cyclists can find value and comfort in knowing they have protected space when riding on our roads.
The question is simple: will it save lives? The answer is YES.
So, please, get on the phones and on your computers and let your representatives know you want and need this law adopted. And remind them, the law will provide an excellent tool to help educate motorists on what is and what is not a safe distance when passing a cyclist from the rear–at least 3 feet. If you can't give this much space when passing, then you need to wait until you can. It truly is a no-brainer…and will be a big step in the right direction in making cycling safer in Virginia.
For those who say it will be unenforceable, I say hogwash. Energetic law enforcement agencies who understand their mission to serve and protect will roll up their sleeves and find ways to use the law to make our roads safer for everyone. And those who do so will understand that their work won't just mean issuing tickets, but rather, educating motorists on how to share ou
Regardless of what some of
Regardless of what some of you might think, The roads aren't for bikes. If you have to ride a bike that's fine with me, but don't do it on narrow roads or in congested corridors. There must be 205 bikers( I'm Joking)who want to be out in traffic. So , the obvious answer is to stay off the roads. The same goes for walkers stay off the most traveled roadways. If there no walkways, they might being trying to tell you something.
Cyclists
"Does Virginia Beach want to continue to support and encourage the reputation of being populated by overweight, SUV-driving inconsiderate, homicidal road-hogs?"
The earlier comment above just about sums up the cyclists mindset. "Look at me, I am in better shape than you, more educated and most of all should be afforded all the priveileges as such."
Please Do This One Thing
I have never really had a problem with bicycles on the road, I ride one myself. The only thing that bothers me is when they ride in a line so long it makes it difficult to pass them all safely; especially in southern Virginia Beach and in particular Princess Anne Road south of Pungo. I realize Virginia law gives them the right to the road but they have to remember that a motorized vehicle weighs a heck of a lot more than they do.
Please Do 1 Thing Reply
Actually, it is the driver of the vehicle that needs to keep in mind how much it weighs and how severe the damage is that they could cause by hitting anyone or anything. Not the cyclist, other drivers, pedestrians, joggers, person crossing the street, etc. Driving is a privilege not a right and requires personal responsibility for every action or reaction made while behind the wheel.
I Understand That
This is the reason bicyclists' have such an overall negative image. I just ask for a little flexibility when it comes to riding in groups and I get a negative response. Good Lord, you act like I am asking you to give up a kidney or something.
And that makes you and the
And that makes you and the riders DEAD RIGHT!
Good idea
It's great more and more people are getting out and riding bicycles instead of using motorized vehicles. The downside is, our streets and roads aren't currently designed for safe use by both and we all know what happens when a vehicle that weighs in at thousands of pounds connects with one weighing a few pounds. There are both rude and unsafe bicyclists and vehicle drivers so no side gets the lion's share of the blame for the problems there are between them.
I'm all for giving more room to bicyclists so long as it doesn't interrupt the flow of motorized vehicle traffic. Adding more room to the sides of the roads would be the best solution for both parties.
Three Feet Please
Many good points made already - so some of this might be a repeat, but here goes:
Drivers:
1. If you don't think bikes belong the road - READ THE CODE - our rights are EQUAL to yours or GREATER (i.e. we don't even need a license). You can either deal with it responsibly or write your own legislation to ban bikes. Good luck with that.
2. Yes - some cyclists are idiots - so what? As if all drivers are saints with perfect judgment? Show me the driver who has not broken a speed limit, blown through a yellow, texted, called their fishin - buddy or girlfriend to shoot the breeze, or done their makeup or made some other bonehead move while driving - I will gladly pull over to let that driver pass me - and I will salute. For now, though, I'll just keep taking MY lane.
3. When you are pounding your steering wheel and cussing out the lycra clad Lance Armstrong wannabe who is delaying you for your precious 15 seconds, bear in mind, he or she could just as easily be driving their SUV at whatever speed they please and completely blocking your lane. If you are behind another 3 ton vehicular fashion statement that is going 5 mph less than you, you'll almost certainly lose more time