Originally Posted by
Notso_fastLane
https://montanafreepress.org/2021/01...-for-cyclists/
IMO, it's a bit of good, but a lot of bad. Requiring lighting - good. Requiring a 3 foot passing distance - good. Requiring Hi-Viz clothing - bad. Requiring riders to keep right (with very few good exceptions) - bad.
The hi-viz clothing requirement is bad because it gives the authorities an excuse to NOT charge bad drivers. I would like to think I'm being cynical, but I think it's a realistic fear. The local cycling group is backing it, even though they agree that the requirements are a bad part, they think the good outweighs the bad. I'm unsure.
I hate that it puts ALL the responsibility on the cyclist though. If the law included increased penalties or minimum penalties for negligent drivers, I might be more willing to back it, but I guess since I'm not in Montana, they don't really care what I think
Your point is well taken. As I have stated before, if you are in an accident and not wearing a helmet, or having a flag on your bike or trike the drivers lawyer will say your are partly to blame. So now in Montana, wear a helmet, fly a flag, and now wear Hi Vis clothes. That will dispense with several arguments against you right off the bat.