Another small victory!
10-01-06, 04:59 PM
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Another small victory!
New law protects bicyclists on road
3-foot passing gap required by motorists
By JAMIE PAGE
jpage@news-press.com
Originally posted on October 01, 2006
TALLAHASSEE Bicyclists should be a bit safer riding along the state's roadways starting today, when a new law goes into effect that requires motorists to give them at least a 3-foot gap when passing.
Under the new measure, motorists who get too close could be charged with a moving violation subject to a fine and points assessed against their driver's license.
The previous law only used the words "pass safely," said Dennis Scott, of the Florida Department of Transportation.
At least five other states have a 3-foot clearance law, but Scott said that distance is "a minimum," noting trucks going 55 mph and passing a bike within 3 feet could knock over a bicyclist with the wind blast.
Fort Myers cyclist Dan Woolley is concerned it's still not enough comfort room for passing a bicyclist.
"Usually if I pass a cyclist I like to give them more space than that, and as a cyclist I like to have more space," Woolley said.
Ryan Thomas, 35, is an avid cyclist from Cape Coral, but in Michigan, where he's originally from, bicyclists are entitled to an entire lane, just as vehicles.
While he's behind the new law, he believes it could be better.
"What if a box truck passes you with 2-foot mirrors?" Thomas asked. "People need to realize that riding a bicycle down the side of the road is not a crime. I've had a lot strange things yelled at me while riding down the road. I think a few points on somebody's license is a lot better than having to go to a funeral.
"In Florida, there needs to be more bicycling advocacy; there are not enough places to ride here safety. The state has done a great job and Lee County is doing a good job of putting in decent bike trails, but I think more needs to be done for cycling to and from work," he said.
Woolley is concerned about how serious the law will be taken by both drivers and authorities.
"It's great, but as far as people actually abiding by it, that's another story," Woolley said.
Cyclist Celia Conti of Plantation said: "Many people don't feel like we belong on the road at all. But now they'll need to know that not only do we belong, but they need to wait if there isn't room to pass."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
3-foot passing gap required by motorists
By JAMIE PAGE
jpage@news-press.com
Originally posted on October 01, 2006
TALLAHASSEE Bicyclists should be a bit safer riding along the state's roadways starting today, when a new law goes into effect that requires motorists to give them at least a 3-foot gap when passing.
Under the new measure, motorists who get too close could be charged with a moving violation subject to a fine and points assessed against their driver's license.
The previous law only used the words "pass safely," said Dennis Scott, of the Florida Department of Transportation.
At least five other states have a 3-foot clearance law, but Scott said that distance is "a minimum," noting trucks going 55 mph and passing a bike within 3 feet could knock over a bicyclist with the wind blast.
Fort Myers cyclist Dan Woolley is concerned it's still not enough comfort room for passing a bicyclist.
"Usually if I pass a cyclist I like to give them more space than that, and as a cyclist I like to have more space," Woolley said.
Ryan Thomas, 35, is an avid cyclist from Cape Coral, but in Michigan, where he's originally from, bicyclists are entitled to an entire lane, just as vehicles.
While he's behind the new law, he believes it could be better.
"What if a box truck passes you with 2-foot mirrors?" Thomas asked. "People need to realize that riding a bicycle down the side of the road is not a crime. I've had a lot strange things yelled at me while riding down the road. I think a few points on somebody's license is a lot better than having to go to a funeral.
"In Florida, there needs to be more bicycling advocacy; there are not enough places to ride here safety. The state has done a great job and Lee County is doing a good job of putting in decent bike trails, but I think more needs to be done for cycling to and from work," he said.
Woolley is concerned about how serious the law will be taken by both drivers and authorities.
"It's great, but as far as people actually abiding by it, that's another story," Woolley said.
Cyclist Celia Conti of Plantation said: "Many people don't feel like we belong on the road at all. But now they'll need to know that not only do we belong, but they need to wait if there isn't room to pass."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
