Today one issue took up the majority of the day in the Senate: Bill #117 or the Bicylists Bill. We are all about sharing the road for our recreation-loving bike friends but the bill is a bit much. It offers cyclists extra protection from motor vehicle operators but Senate Republicans argued today that the protection offered puts drivers at a disadvantage and in some cases doesn't go far enough.
Senate Republicans offered nine amendments to truly improve the bills but all failed. Among the amendments:
-Requiring cyclists to attach flags to their bikes so drivers and farm machinery operators can see them.
-Exempting municipalities from being held liable from cycling accidents. (anyone remember what happened with RAGBRAI and Crawford County?)
-Changing the cycling hand signals so they are easier to decipher.
The overall bill gives cyclists five feet surrounding them at all times (even if they ride three wide) so passing them on county roads might become pretty trecherous. And watch out if you're driving farm equipment and meet one coming over a hill. Motorists must now sound their horn if they think a bike is near and they want to turn a corner. Drivers must also not open their car doors into oncoming traffic if they think cyclists are near "unless it is reasonably safe."
This bill just happened to deter everyone today as the Democrats finally released their budget numbers for the year. This distraction won't last long as those budget numbers will be seen for what they really are: a fiscal fiasco that could have been avoided over the last two years.
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1 comment:
Okay... I'll give them five feet. But I highly doubt the problem between bikers and vehicles is an issue with law abiding citizens.
I sure miss the days of personal responsibility and common sense.
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