Comments on: Guide to Improving Laws

By: Jerry Foster

Jerry Foster — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:58:39 +0000

FYI – NJ’s helmet law now requires them for persons under age 17.

By: Terry McAfee

Terry McAfee — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:57:40 +0000

A bicyclist who is at fault in a car / bike collision and damages the car is typically covered by his homeowner or renter insurance. If the bicyclist adds a small motor to his bicycle, he is not covered. He needs to get a rider for his homeowner policy or his auto insurance policy.

By: Ed Beighe

Ed Beighe — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:48:26 +0000

In Idaho, cyclists may treat a stop like a yield sign, apparently for a looong time (1982).

Now similar legislation is pending in Arizona, Montana, and Oregon.
http://azbikelaw.org/blog/bicycle-stop-sign-changes-proposed/

Idaho also more recently allow cyclists to proceed through a red signal after a full stop is no traffic is present. None of current pending legislation has this feature.

By: Ed Beighe

Ed Beighe — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 03:37:18 +0000

Paul,
There’s been a veritable explosion of passing-distance laws, 12 by my count. I think i have them all listed here:

http://azbikelaw.org/blog/three-foot-passing-laws/

By: Arizona Bike Law Blog » Blog Archive » Cycling on One-way streets

Arizona Bike Law Blog » Blog Archive » Cycling on One-way streets — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:42:03 +0000

[...] to BicycleDriving.com’s Guide to Improving Laws , only 4 states (AZ, SD, TN, UT) lack this [...]

By: Jakob Helmboldt

Jakob Helmboldt — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:59:37 +0000

Virginia’s mandatory sidepath law allowed localities to adopt the provision (it was not uniform) and it was repealed several years ago. Some localities have not repealed the provisions, though the enabling legislation no longer exists.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:29:37 +0000

Some of the information you provide is not correct for the state of Ohio. For example, in Ohio, we have the ride to the right law with the 5 exceptions, missing the speed rule and one-way rule.

You mention Colorado and Iowa as permitting regulating bicycle operation but add that the regulations must be consistent with state law. The same is true with Ohio.

Ohio no longer requires reflectors be visible from the side. Nor does Ohio require a front white reflector. Ohio has the same laws as California that you have written. A front light must be visible from the side and that the light only needs to be produced while in motion.

By: John Brooking

John Brooking — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:16:38 +0000

Also, Maine (ME) improved its Ride-To-The-Right statute in Summer 2007 to include the missing exceptions for hazards, speed, passing, and left turns. Reference http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/29-a/title29-Asec2063.html.

By: John Brooking

John Brooking — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:17:46 +0000

In the “Mandatory Bike Lane Use” section, table 4 lists 7 states, but the text above lists mentions 6. NY is left out of the text.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:01:41 +0000

I find the response to the motorcyclist – Dan Kennelly, Central Ohio Norton Owners – regarding licensing, to be unpersuasive. A bicyclist on a bicycle runs as many risks, and at comparable speed creates significant risk to self & others, just like a motorcycle. Start collecting stories from cyclists & pedestrians about the many folks who are injured while cycling, or being hit by cyclists. They may not be as numerous as those created by autos or motorcycles, but they aren’t mere chimera either. Registration of bicyclists has a long history in a number of states, localities, and colleges & universities. There was a time when motorists didn’t have to have licenses or registration either — and I wouldn’t be surprized to learn that motorists made the same kinds of arguments against registration & licensing as some bicyclists make now. Equal rights = equal responsibilities, up to and including registration & licensing, if the governmental unit so chooses. After all, we actually have an explicit Constitutional right to bear arms, but not ride bicycles, and yet … many of us see no problem with registering & licensing guns & hunting.