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Thursday, October 22, 2009
Good news cyclists: Safe passing ordinance approved
The Austin City Council has approved an ordinance requiring motorists to give 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist or other vulnerable road user.
That’s great news for Austin cyclists, who have long believed that existing laws don’t have enough teeth to help keep them safe. Police rarely cite motorists who injure or kill cyclists, and cycling proponents say the new ordinance could help turn that around.
Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a similar statewide bill earlier this year, saying that motorists already are subject to penalties when they are at fault for causing a collision or operating recklessly, whether it is against a vulnerable user or not.
As a regular bicycle commuter, I’m all for any legislation that makes motorists more aware that cyclists have a legal right to the road. (Yes, we’re considered vehicles, and as such have every right to be there.)
I know, I know. Cyclists break the law. They run red lights, they cruise through stop signs, they hog the road and slow down traffic, they bully people off sidewalks. I’m exhausted by these arguments.
Yes, some cyclists break the law. But motorists also break the law. Every time I ride my bike to work I see motorists rolling through four-way stops, speeding down neighborhood streets and making illegal turns.
Both sides are guilty. All we can do to improve the situation is obey the law ourselves.
Now, thankfully, that will mean motorists giving a reasonable berth to folks on two wheels.
I’m also tired of the argument that cyclists don’t deserve to be on our streets because they don’t pay taxes. That’s flat wrong. I ride my bike and I certainly pay the taxes used to maintain our city streets.
What cyclists don’t fund, at least on days they don’t drive their cars, is the gas tax. But that money goes to state and federal highway funding, not to city streets, so it’s a moot point.
Besides, most cyclists also have motor vehicles, so most of us do buy gas and fund those systems too.
The new city ordinance takes effect Nov. 2.
And motorists, relax. The law won’t protect cyclists who are injured or killed while doing something illegal, like blasting through stoplights or veering into oncoming traffic. If a vulnerable road user is breaking the law, that’s a defense for the motorist.
I’m all for enforcement of the law — whether it affects motorists or bicyclists.
Buck up everyone. Take responsibility!
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