California could soon become the nation's 19th state to enact a 3-foot passing law to protect bicyclists. Last week the California Senate approved CBC-sponsored Senate Bill 910 by a 27-9 vote, sending the bill to the Assembly.
SB 910, authored by Long Beach Sen. Alan Lowenthal and cosponsored by the City of Los Angeles, would establish three feet as the minimum clearance when a motorist passes a bicyclist from behind under most conditions. Three feet is the passing distance recommended in the California Driver's Handbook.
SB 910, authored by Long Beach Sen. Alan Lowenthal and cosponsored by the City of Los Angeles, would establish three feet as the minimum clearance when a motorist passes a bicyclist from behind under most conditions. Three feet is the passing distance recommended in the California Driver's Handbook.
Keeping my fingers crossed...
ReplyDeleteI've heard many detractors say it won't make a difference, that it's unenforceable because police won't see the violation. Excuse me, but law enforcement sees many other subtle violations and tickets offending motorists. If this is signed into law I expect some surprised motorists will get pulled over for what they consider normal - shaving cyclists at high speed alon Coast Hwy.
Detractors might understandably view Sharrows as ineffective. Some road users suffer from a lack of respect between one another, Sharrows are designed first as a means to prevent cyclists from riding in the door zone of parked automobiles, and second as an effective tool to remind both cyclists and drivers the multi-use lane is shared. If everyone remembers the lane is shared-use and respect the lower speed limit, there should be no need for police enforcement. Sharrows on PCH is left for a future project, the present project is a pilot program for Sharrows and tested on the back-streets of Laguna Beach.
ReplyDelete