Now a new state law says drivers must allow 3 to 5 feet of space when passing a bicyclist on the same side of the road.
The law also makes it illegal to pass another vehicle when there are bicyclists or pedestrians in the on-coming lane, on the shoulder or in the bicycle lane. The law states that it is illegal to use the left-hand side of the road to pass when a bicyclist or pedestrian is within view and approaching from the opposite direction
i guess the bmw that brushed me this morning did'nt watch the morning news.
joeball
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 6:59 am
Joined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 6037Location: Ether
I was searching for this law a while ago but I guess it just hasn't been enacted. I'd be curious how often anyone ever gets cited for it.
trashtalker
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:36 am
Joined: 06 Oct 2005Posts: 78Location: Redmond
Let me chime in, if you don't mind:
The Bicycle Alliance of Washington helped pass this bill, seen on their website:
HB 1108 which prohibits passing when bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement or farm equipment is in view and approaching from the opposite direction.
I believe it was enacted as of late July or August (sorry bad with dates). On my commute along East Lake Sammamish I had a driver pass another car (illegal in the first place along that road - double yellow) while me AND a pedestrian, with her dog, were on the shoulder on the other side. I wrote to the city and they were going to try to give the driver a warning. Also, they are changing the north end of E LK Sam way and I voiced my concerns about that since other drivers already see it as their personal speedway. I was riding one night doing 20 or so in front of a speed radar sign. All of a sudden it jumped to 49!!! 49 in a 35... along the E LK Sam way... it was ridiculous!!! While he passed me I noticed his license plate had a "Share the Road" Sticker on it!!! The best you can really do is keep voicing your opinion to the BAW and/or the city officials and such. Write down the license plates, if you can, or take pictures (wish my cell phone had that on the above example!!!) to give to the police and hope they'll send warnings to these dorks. I know... work on our part....but got to start getting the message out there. That's my .02 worth.
_________________ Pedal hard and keep the rubberside down!
terrydean
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:47 am
rocker boiJoined: 24 Jul 2005Posts: 1535Location: santa fe, i think
Or just carry rocks and throw them at everyone!
Aaron
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2005 9:35 am
Joined: 25 Jul 2005Posts: 4645
So that is where our Advocacy dollars go. This stupid law was passed because a group of cyclists was run down by some dude in a huge vehicle. One woman was killed. Now the law is a good idea, but I ask you how many drivers even know (or care) about new laws? It is not like drivers have to retake any kind of test or review new laws when the renew their license.
To me this law (and the Cooper Jones Act) smack of revenge. Someone dies so everyone feels angry and sad and they pass a law to "prevent" further deaths. Rediculous! The only way to prevent further deaths is to educate the entire public about sharing the road. Foster cooperation.
All these type of laws do is give the police and courts an official reason to punish a driver. It is true that many drivers do not even get fined when they kill a cyclist. These types of laws make them get fines. They do not save lives.
This most recent law is even more red tape because it was already illegal to pass a cyclist in the manner described. The existing law says "Vehicle" and bicycles are vehicles by WA law. This law just lays it out plain and clear for dumb people.
The only thing ever that will make bicyclists safer is more of us!
I pushed for education and making cycling cool to school kids when I was on the Board of BAW. I opposed that BAW support the helmet law because it is a useless law. Education and making it cool would do way more to get kids to wear helmets and ride bikes. The rest of the board (save 2 others) were closed minded about the fact that head injuries are such a miniscule risk compared to sitting on the couch playing Nintendo and NOT riding a bike. Getting kids on bikes in the first place would save more lives than requiring the exising cyclists to wear helmets.
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Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 6037
Location: Ether
Joined: 06 Oct 2005
Posts: 78
Location: Redmond
rocker boi
Joined: 24 Jul 2005
Posts: 1535
Location: santa fe, i think
