In the wake of several vehicle collisions that have left bicyclists dead or injured, our question of the week is about SB 1464.
The proposed state law, making it a legal requirement for automobiles to give bicyclists a minimum clearance of three feet when passing, has the support of cyclists.
You can read more about the bill in from the Napa County Bicycle Coalition.
SB 1464 has passed the state Senate and is up for a vote by the Assembly Friday. How would you vote if it were up to you?
Where do you stand on this issue? Patch us your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here are a few of the comments via Facebook:
- Patty Bennett Manzi It is tragic that so many cyclist have been injured or killed in accidents recently, however, I dont think we need yet another rule regarding road space! Do we redesign all bike lanes to allow for an additional 3 feet? Do we have cyclists ride around with 3' long 'feelers' to make sure the cars stay 3' away? Are cops going to ride around with tape measures? How do we police this? If someone gets too close to a cyclist, does the cyclist call the police and report a near miss? We dont have a rule saying cars cant pass withing 3' of each other or within 3' of a motorcycle, so why a bicycle? Just my two-cents.
- Craig Mullins retarded.
- Craig Mullins What do we do on one lane narrow roads? Are their exceptions to the rule? At what point are we allowed to pass them if their isn't 3 feet of room?
- Kara Starston that's impossible, cyclists don't use bike lanes, and when they do they ride at the very edge near the lane. and what about the streets that don't have bike lanes, like foothill starting at the golf course all the way to sunol. are we supposed to just drive behind them the whole way or get hit by on coming traffic trying to pass them?
- Randy Randleman Another dumb law that is not needed. If drivers and bikers just paid more attention and followed the rules better there would be less accidents.
- Teresa Finch I disagree. Most cyclists I've passed refuse to use the bike lane and will try to ride out with traffic. If they don't know their place on the road with thousands of cars, which can squash them in an instant, they don't belong anywhere near a bike. Especially the ones that refuse to signal.
