3-foot rule research

Hello Fellow Bike Advocates:

The hearing for both the Senate (SB428) and House bill (HB496) on the 3 foot rule is this Thursday at 1 pm. I've asked that the meetings be staggered. Your attendance is helpful. Amendments have just been submitted in regard to these bills - see below.

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Amendments:
AMENDMENT NO.1
On page 1, in line 6, after "lane" insert "or shoulder under certain circumstances".
AMENDMENT NO 2
On page 2, n line 8 after "IS" insert "LAWFULLY", and in line 9, after "LANE" insert "OR SHOULDER IF THE DRIVER INTENDS TO:
(1) Move the motor vehicle into or across the designated bicycle lane or shoulder;
(2) Turn into or across the designated bicycle lane or shoulder at an alley, driveway, or private road; or
(3) Exit an alley, driveway, or private road into or across the designated bicycle lane or shoulder.

Thank you!
Carol

Carol Silldorff, M.P.A.
Executive Director
One Less Car

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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To: House Environmental Matters Committee From: Del. Jon Cardin Re: House Bill 496 – Bicycle Safety Bill Favorable testimony Date: February 19, 2009 Requiring motor vehicles to allow a minimum of three feet when passing bicyclists is an essential measure which will protect the safety of Maryland’s motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. The bill not only requires that a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist give the cyclist at least a three foot buffer of clearance, it also requires that cars turning across a marked bicycle lane give the cyclist the right of way. The ‘three foot rule’ is fast becoming a nationwide standard; on October 1, 2008, New Hampshire became the 20th state to pass a law requiring motorists to allow at least three feet when passing bicyclists. Passing this bill will help save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 51,000 cyclists have died in traffic crashes on our roads since 1932, the first year statistics were recorded. Failure to yield right-of-way is a critical factor in both bicyclist and pedestrian safety. This bill will address these problems and provide a safe and enjoyable environment for bicyclists and drivers on Maryland’s roads and bicycle paths.
Press release by Maine Sec of Transportation after 3-foot passage:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2007
Contact: Don Cookson
207-626-8404
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap Joins Bicycle Coalition of Maine
In Reminding Mainers About New Bicycle Safety Law
Augusta, Maine – Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap reminded motorists that a comprehensive bicycle safety law, L.D. 1808, takes effect today.

Dunlap joined Jeffrey Miller, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, in outlining major provisions of the new law:

*Motorists must give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
*Motorists may cross a solid yellow centerline in order to pass bicyclists, provided it is safe to do so.
*Bicyclists may move from the right side of the road to avoid hazards such as broken pavement, puddles or parked cars. They also may do so when passing another bicycle, turning left or proceeding straight in a place where right turns are permitted.
*Children 15 and under who fail to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling may be fined $25 after the second or subsequent offense. The fine can be waived by showing proof that a helmet has been purchased. 
*Liability is waived for businesses with drive-up windows that serve bicyclists. That ensures bicyclists equal access to banks, restaurants and other businesses with drive-up windows that often are open longer hours.

L.D. 1808, approved by the Maine Legislature last spring, increases bicycle fines from $10 to a new minimum of $25. Fines can cost as much as $250. The law also removes skateboards, wagons and roller skates from bicycle laws and creates a separate “toy vehicle” category.

“The new law clarifies the responsibilities of both motorists and bicyclists to share the road,” said Dunlap. “That will lead to a safer environment for all.”

“We are very grateful to the legislature and Gov. John Baldacci for passing these common sense provisions into Maine law,” said Miller. “We are also grateful to the Secretary of State, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Maine Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Highway Safety for helping us to educate bicyclists and motorists about these important safety issues.”

Dunlap noted that information about motorists sharing the road with bicycles has been in the Maine Motorist Handbook and on the Maine driver's exam for several years. “The clarification provided by the new law will make that education even easier,” he said.

Details about the new law may be found on the Bicycle Coalition of Maine website (www.BikeMaine.org).