The problem is where bicycles are traveling 16-20mph (extremely common) in a 55mph zone where there is insufficient room for 3 feet. As Jerry pointed out, the 15mph provision is flawed.
I would personally rather have a motorist pass me at 20 or 25 giving me 2 feet of clearance than drive behind me for 5 miles in an aggravated state waiting for a chance to get around me.
I agree that a motorist passing a bicycle 1ft distance at 40mph could be a killer - but the current law covers that anyway.
But you can't craft a law that says the motorist can only pass 5mph faster than the cyclist or anything like that because it would be near impossible for the driver to measure or for anyone to enforce.
The challenge is to craft an enforceable law that allows motorists to pass cyclist at a safe distance and/or at a safe speed.
When I first saw the Governor vetoed the bill, I was outraged. However, seeing his explanation, I must agree with his logic. While I'd sure like to have 3 foot clearance when I ride, it really is not practical and will result in a very bad situation all around.
Does this statement really matter, or is it just a bunch of blah blah?
ReplyDeleteCHP initially supported this, and in fact helped write it. Then they flipped.
I'm going to guess they're sucking up to someone, in a web of partisan politics, and for some reason the governor feels obliged to follow.
Slowing to 15MPH to pass a cyclist could cause a rear end collision. Sure. And passing a cyclist at 1ft distance at 40mph could KILL THEM.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerry Brown.
The problem is where bicycles are traveling 16-20mph (extremely common) in a 55mph zone where there is insufficient room for 3 feet. As Jerry pointed out, the 15mph provision is flawed.
ReplyDeleteI would personally rather have a motorist pass me at 20 or 25 giving me 2 feet of clearance than drive behind me for 5 miles in an aggravated state waiting for a chance to get around me.
I agree that a motorist passing a bicycle 1ft distance at 40mph could be a killer - but the current law covers that anyway.
But you can't craft a law that says the motorist can only pass 5mph faster than the cyclist or anything like that because it would be near impossible for the driver to measure or for anyone to enforce.
The challenge is to craft an enforceable law that allows motorists to pass cyclist at a safe distance and/or at a safe speed.
jerry's logic:
ReplyDeleteand braking on the freeway should be illegal, because that causes rear end collisions.
When I first saw the Governor vetoed the bill, I was outraged. However, seeing his explanation, I must agree with his logic. While I'd sure like to have 3 foot clearance when I ride, it really is not practical and will result in a very bad situation all around.
ReplyDelete