Oklahoma is proposing legislation similar to the 2009 Colorado Bike Safety Act
 

Ok State Sen Andrew Rice Introduced legsilation simular to the 2009 Colorado Bike safety
Act

I am writing this Thread for 2 reasons.

1. Actual feedback on the Colorado Bill and

2. Any improvement to the Oklahoma bill.

If possible try and contact The State Senator on this subject.

I know I would like to increase the fine for hitting a bicyclist to a speed related scale

just like the speeding tickets---the faster the more it will cost.

and include vehicular homicide in the bill to prevent low cost auto justice.

FYI in OK the state can impound a car for no drivers insurance.

Bob

The mandatory 3ft passing rule has caused atleast on Co town to ban bicycling as its roads are no wide enough. One problem with laws that include 'bright line' tests of guilt. Perhaps driver education would be better than aggressive policing. speed related scale - how is the speed going to be determined? vehicular homicide is already a crime, look up the definition of crime, criminal intent, ect. The problem with tampering with the laws is unintended consequences and the fact that adding laws also adds enforcement costs.

There is ample room in Black Hawk to pass a bicyclist with a 3-foot margin -- one cautiously merges into the oncoming lane when traffic conditions permit, just as one would do when passing another motor vehicle.

Another Okie here. Where can I find more info on the proposed legislation?

To the best of my knowledge, try Leage of Americaqn Bicyclist. They were featured in the joplin globe sunday edition for 8-29-10. Also try ADA Cycling Club. Or better ;yet
try OKNEWS on the web. It might cover waht you want.
Bob

On google maps both the highway and the main st through Black Hawk look narrow. The law does not seem to allow discretion of common sense, it just says 3 ft or your busted. That is the problem with a 3 ft rule, it applies even when not necessary.

This is exactly why, I am a proponent of 'taking the lane'. By 'taking the lane', to the point that the motorist has to go completely into oncoming traffic puts the motorist in the position of having to risk their own lives to pass a cyclist. There is no true way for a motorist to gauge 3ft. when passing a cyclist. Because the motorist can't see over the passenger-side doors when passing a cyclist.

Is it even legal to ban bikes from all access to a town? What happened to the right of free travel?

If a town has crappy roads that make it a necessity to take the lane, that somehow equates to banning bikes?

I was under the impression that most 3 ft laws had an exemption where it is not necessary if you completely change lanes, including bike lanes.

I assume that's the basis it's being challenged on.

They do, he's being absurd about it. 3 feet is a little extra in some circumstances (like when you're just going faster than me), but if you're in a car and I'm on a bike: I'd better not be able to touch your car while you pass. I don't care how slow you go, most drivers can't accurately judge small distances on the right side of their car.

There is some hidden truth in his concern though: These things have a real political cost. It isn't rational, it's democracy. People will perceive the bike safety bill as giving something to bicyclists, and they'll want something back eventually.

When Iowa tried to pass its the bill died in committee. The final straw was the addition of a requirement for any person on a bicycle to wear 50% or more hunter orange. That bill was going to require 5 feet (which I think is excessive, although at 60mph I expect 5 feet or more).

I'm not saying don't go for it OP. Just watch out for backlash. There will be talk about bicyclists giving something up to get their "new" rights. As if they didn't already have the right to not be run down.

Whether or not your a bike mass person, makes no diference here. What needs to focused on is bicyclist ride to and from important places.... such as work.. home... shopping(I smell tax dollars being spent!!!!)
To encourage merchants to go along with the plan here in OK and possibly in Texas(if some with not be so wild while trying to take a lane----another post) Money does go a long way is moving merchant s and goverments to support this plan.
Try going in and saying "I Like your store and will shop here more but I can only get here by bicycle." See if that won't help.
Bob

No doubt no one has bothered to point that out to the leaders of Black Hawk.

Remember, Money Walks-----BS Sqauks.

To get their attention. Use open letters to the editors of local papers, TV Stations, Even use an opinion piece via YOUTUBE,etc.
The community is more than just four wheelers. It consists of people and people have a say in local and state laws(or should have).

How do cars pass other cars on this narrow highway and main street? Do they not ever do that? A car is far wider than a cyclist (with a 3 foot rule) and yet motorists do seem to pass motorists quite handily. Is it really so freakin' difficult for a motorist to apply the same passing techniques when they desire to pass a cyclist? I mean com'on... :notamused:

Black Hawk is a perfect example, it seems to me, of 'dictatorship of the majority'.

So they screwwed up in Blackhawk Colo. We're talking about Oklahoma. Surely my state knows something about "riding the rails" . If Blackhawk is a failure of elected officials
then make them the posterchildern of stupidity. They'll never live it down.
Bob

The Blackhawk cycle ban has nothing to do with bicycle safety. It is based on money. If a cyclist slows down a car full of gamblers, the city is losing money. If someone were to give Colo an enema, they would stick the hose in Blackhawk!!!!!

Just the same these casino may bring in money to that town-----but it's still based upon a reputation. Whether or not there IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So remember Keep those Card, Letters, and E-mails going to the Managemnt offices of these casinos. You might find out there not as insensitive as you believe.

Just Be Polite. State Your case in a brief form. and await an answer.

I live in town with at least 8 casinos in the county and 2 are in city limits on tribal land. Miami Ok

OUCH! LOL!

The irony is, though, that if one less cyclist on the road is likely to mean one more car on the road, doesn't it mean that the gamblers are likely to be slowed down more since the law took effect? After all, even if a bike is taking the lane, it's easier to overtake than a car. And a bike doesn't contribute to filling a casino parking lot.

Don't forget that the main road through Blackhawk has a maximum speed limit of 20mph. Unless drivers are speeding, they wouldn't be slowed that much by a lot of cyclists -- or at all by many. I read somewhere that one of the first cyclists pulled over for this stupid law thought she was being pulled over for speeding.

They claim safety but they've had no bicycle related safety incidents in Blackhawk in years. The 20mph speed limit probably has a lot to do with that.