Comments on: Guide to Improving Laws http://bicycledriving.org Cycling skills, good roads, public awareness. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:39:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: DanC http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-321 DanC Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:06:16 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-321 Paul, Are you aware of the "Vulnerable User" legal concept and Oregon's new law? Since this concept is meant as safety improvement for non-motorized roadway users such as bicyclists, I think it merits inclusion. Here is an overview http://www.oregoncycling.org/2007/10/vulnerable-roadway-users/ Paul, Are you aware of the “Vulnerable User” legal concept and Oregon’s new law? Since this concept is meant as safety improvement for non-motorized roadway users such as bicyclists, I think it merits inclusion. Here is an overview
http://www.oregoncycling.org/2007/10/vulnerable-roadway-users/

]]> By: Betsy Gross http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-258 Betsy Gross Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:45:59 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-258 In reading "Guide to Improving Laws," I noted the use of "IO" as an abbreviation for a state name in some of the tables. I live in Iowa. I checked the U.S. Postal Service's website for a state with abbreviation "IO" and could not find one. The abbreviation for Iowa is "IA". Can I assume "IO" refers to Iowa? In reading “Guide to Improving Laws,” I noted the use of “IO” as an abbreviation for a state name in some of the tables. I live in Iowa. I checked the U.S. Postal Service’s website for a state with abbreviation “IO” and could not find one. The abbreviation for Iowa is “IA”. Can I assume “IO” refers to Iowa?

]]> By: SiteAdmin http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-235 SiteAdmin Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:12:33 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-235 In response to Dan Kennelly: 1. Bicyclists already have the same rights as drivers of motorized vehicles, as well as the same responsibilities. And yes, I advocate defending and strengthening this right. 2. The issue of licensing frequently comes up, and I should post on it. Briefly, people are free to use the public roads; only inherently dangerous vehicles require a license. That's historically why people walking, riding bikes, riding horses, and driving horse-drawn vehicles do not need licenses. You cannot take away the right to travel, only the privilege of operating a motorized vehicle. Moreover, any licensing scheme for bicyclists would criminalize bicycling by unlicensed children. And the vast majority of adult cyclists in the USA already possess a driver's license. Even though a license is not required, bicyclists are required to obey the traffic laws and police officers are empowered to stop those who do not obey. I encourage anyone who thinks licensing of bicyclists is a good idea to instead encourage police and politicians to support even-handed enforcement of the law by officers trained in the rules of the road as they apply to bicycling. Such training is available at http://bicycledriving.org/enforce 3. The use of roads for organized bicycle races typically requires a permit, although this varies by state and local law. I certainly believe that any race that involves suspension of the normal rules of the road should be required to obtain a permit. 4. I completely agree with your last comment. I suggest contacting the Ohio Bicycle Federation. http://www.ohiobike.org/. I think they would be very happy to receive your suggestions. Nationally, the best contact is LAB, www.bikeleague.org. In response to Dan Kennelly:

1. Bicyclists already have the same rights as drivers of motorized vehicles, as well as the same responsibilities. And yes, I advocate defending and strengthening this right.

2. The issue of licensing frequently comes up, and I should post on it. Briefly, people are free to use the public roads; only inherently dangerous vehicles require a license. That’s historically why people walking, riding bikes, riding horses, and driving horse-drawn vehicles do not need licenses. You cannot take away the right to travel, only the privilege of operating a motorized vehicle. Moreover, any licensing scheme for bicyclists would criminalize bicycling by unlicensed children. And the vast majority of adult cyclists in the USA already possess a driver’s license.

Even though a license is not required, bicyclists are required to obey the traffic laws and police officers are empowered to stop those who do not obey. I encourage anyone who thinks licensing of bicyclists is a good idea to instead encourage police and politicians to support even-handed enforcement of the law by officers trained in the rules of the road as they apply to bicycling. Such training is available at http://bicycledriving.org/enforce

3. The use of roads for organized bicycle races typically requires a permit, although this varies by state and local law. I certainly believe that any race that involves suspension of the normal rules of the road should be required to obtain a permit.

4. I completely agree with your last comment. I suggest contacting the Ohio Bicycle Federation. http://www.ohiobike.org/. I think they would be very happy to receive your suggestions. Nationally, the best contact is LAB, http://www.bikeleague.org.

]]> By: Dan Kennelly http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-234 Dan Kennelly Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:05:00 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-234 Being a motorcyclist I read your comments about restrictive legislation with interest. It appears you advocate granting bicyclists all the rights of other, motorized vehicles without being willing to accept some of the responsibilities required of these other vehicles, specifically, no testing to demonstrate skills and knowledge of appropriate laws prior to operation, no requirement for renewable licenses, no vehicle license requirement. Why should bicycles, as vehicles, be permitted to use public highways for races, with or without permits when it would never be considered for other vehicles? I am not necessarily advocating banning bicycles from highways, but if you want all the privileges of use you should have to expect to pay. I think many of the problems perceived by bicyclists are shared by motorcyclists and the people representing both of these groups should be more aware of shared concerns and work together to impact the knowledge and actions of motorists to reduce the levels of death, injury and property damage currently seen. Thank you, Dan Kennelly, Central Ohio Norton Owners Being a motorcyclist I read your comments about restrictive legislation with interest. It appears you advocate granting bicyclists all the rights of other, motorized vehicles without being willing to accept some of the responsibilities required of these other vehicles, specifically, no testing to demonstrate skills and knowledge of appropriate laws prior to operation, no requirement for renewable licenses, no vehicle license requirement. Why should bicycles, as vehicles, be permitted to use public highways for races, with or without permits when it would never be considered for other vehicles? I am not necessarily advocating banning bicycles from highways, but if you want all the privileges of use you should have to expect to pay.

I think many of the problems perceived by bicyclists are shared by motorcyclists and the people representing both of these groups should be more aware of shared concerns and work together to impact the knowledge and actions of motorists to reduce the levels of death, injury and property damage currently seen.

Thank you, Dan Kennelly, Central Ohio Norton Owners

]]> By: John Allen http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-98 John Allen Thu, 15 May 2008 19:33:08 +0000 http://bicycledriving.org/law/guide-to-improving-laws#comment-98 Text in tables runs off into black area. Text in tables runs off into black area.

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