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Give Bicyclists Three Feet of Space!

via SHA's newsletter

Give Bicyclists Three Feet of Space!
Sharing the road with bicyclists safely
 imageBeautiful Maryland autumn weather and roadways beckon bicyclists to the road. SHA and partners are urging motorists to share the road and be on the lookout for cyclists. On roads where shoulders end, SHA is installing newly approved signs that picture a bicycle with the words: "May Use Full Lane." The purpose of these signs is to notify drivers that cyclists may be moving into the travel lane. Locations are being inventoried and finalized, and sign installation has begun in some locations in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Bicycles are considered vehicles, and deserve the same respect as traditional motorized vehicles on the road. When coming up on a cyclist, a driver should slow and carefully pass a cyclist when it is safe to do so, giving at least three feet of space. Likewise, bicyclists are subject to the same vehicle laws as drivers and should adhere to signs and traffic lights and signal their intentions to drivers when braking or turning. Bicycle safety is a two-way street, and cyclists are reminded to follow the rules of the road, to stay visible and wear a helmet.

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Maryland's Three-Foot Law Calls for Buffer Space for Cyclists

September 19, 2012

“Give Bikes THREE FEET when passing – It’s the Law.”

GLEN BURNIE, MD -  The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is announcing a campaign with the theme, “Give Bikes THREE FEET When Passing – It’s the Law” to promote bicycle safety.  During the bicycle intensive fall season, the MVA added this important message to the outer envelope of 120,000 vehicle registration renewal notices.  Additionally, MVA distributed nearly 5,000 yard sticks (3-foot rulers) with the same message to visually illustrate the distance motorists must provide when overtaking a bicycle. 

“The MVA is committed to the safety of everyone who uses our roadways, including bicyclists,” said John Kuo MVA Administrator and Governor Martin O’Malley’s Highway Safety Representative.  “We're all working toward zero deaths in Maryland.  Our continued effort to educate the public and change behaviors will lead to fewer bicyclists being injured and killed on Maryland’s roads.”

In September, MVA produced and distributed a public service announcement (PSA) to communicate the safety rules for motorists as well as bicyclists.  The PSA emphasizes the need for everyone to share the roads.  It is available to be viewed on the MVA homepage at www.mva.maryland.gov .

“As more and more people are riding bicycles and embracing other green modes of transportation, we need to make certain that bicyclists and motorists know the basic rules of the road.  For everyone’s safety, the rules should be followed,” said Kuo.

Maryland enacted SB 51 -- Vehicle Laws – Bicycles, EPAMDs, and Motor Scooters – Rules of the Road which went into effect in October of 2010 and requires motorists to leave three feet of space when passing a bicyclist.  More detailed information on the rules of the road for bicyclists can be found beginning on page 29 of the Maryland Driver Manual at http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/DL-002A.pdf .

CONTACT:
Buel Young
Caryn Coyle
MVA External Affairs
(410) 762-5188



http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/News/2012/2012%20Press%20Releases/September19_Three_Feet_Rule_Bike_MVA
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Safe Bicycling in Maryland is now a joke

Once upon a time we had a fairly decent bike safety booklet called "Safe Bicycling in Maryland". I loved this booklet! I would drop off copies to local bike shops, bring copies to bike events, it was worth promoting and to me showed Maryland cared about cyclists. Then one day they ran out, I was told something to the effect that they were trying to negotiate with the publisher to get an on-line version as well. This was a very nice effort and appreciated but it looks like negotiations failed and even worse it seems there is no info on-line on how to request this book. Is it out of print all together? I don't know yet but it seems that State Highways thinks that a "good" safety booklet is a kiddie booklet which has such sage advice as:
image

So it is very important for those that can't read to read that carefully. :/ And there is this bike from the 70's saying you should have a bell or horn. Like this is going to work: "Ding, ding, watch out big truck, I've got a bell on my bike." :/
image

image
In short this is not a booklet geared for adults. It is nowhere near as thorough nor as complete as what we used to be able to get through this now broken link http://www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/oppe/Pamphlets/Bicyclists1.asp

So on this page http://www.sha.maryland.gov/index.aspx?PageId=598 we have links to the bike map (cool) two links for kiddie cyclists (the "What every parent should know" is really good for that age level) and two links about helmets but next to nothing about defensive cycling. Helmets do not prevent crashes, defensive cycling does!

So I would like to point out what Arizona has on-line: Arizona Bicycling Street Smarts: Riding Confidently, Legally and Safely by John S. Allen. This is a really good book and available to customize for Maryland!

Custom editions, too!

State transportation department? Bicycle manufacturer? Advocacy group? University safety program? inquire of the publisher!



So could I ask that we get this here as well? Please.

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The Washcycle makes some good points

There are some things to quibble with here, but in general it has a lot of good advice and, at the very least, brings up things one should think about (quibbles below). I couldn't get to the comments, but that's probably a good thing.
  • I wish he'd mentioned that drivers turning right need to turn from the bike lane.
  • It's rare that a driver who brushes a cyclist gets a ticket, let alone loses their license.
  • No one gets charged with a three-foot violation - even when they crash.
  • I find this claim "But inconsistent risk-taking as you zip through traffic puts more-mortal riders at peril, because it makes drivers jittery and annoyed whenever they see someone on two wheels." hard to believe. But you should ride in a safe manner. I don't know why he didn't just say that. [And isn't consistent risk-taking worse than inconsistent risk-taking?]
  • I do think sidewalk cycling is occasionally appropriate.
  • I don't think you're foolish if you don't wear a helmet - but you are probably making yourself safer if you do. Wearing a motorcycle helmet to walk to the Metro probably makes you safer too, but I don't think you're foolish if you don't.


From: http://www.thewashcycle.com/2012/09/monday-morning-commute-golden-temple-restaurant.html
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Maryland loosens up on the older driver proplem

[B' Spokes: Let's see we have the Allstate report that shows Baltimore (the only MD city in the report) with the second highest frequency of car crashes. Maryland has the 8th highest pedestrian fatality rate, 8th highest in percentage of fatalities that are bike/ped and MVA in a cost saving measure is renewing licences every eight years instead of every five. To MVA's credit the did increase the number of questions from 20 to 30 but still is far short of the 100 I would like to see, not to mention the quality of those questions could stand some improvement as well. I really think the MVA needs to up it's traffic safety programs and not downgrade to save them money but makes it more costly for the residents of Maryland in property damage, the quality of life, as well as the loss of life.]
*********************************************************************************************
Older drivers face confusing array of license laws
By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer

...
Thirty states plus the District of Columbia have some sort of older-age requirement for driver's licenses, ranging from more vision testing to making seniors renew their licenses more frequently than younger people. At what age? That's literally all over the map. Maryland starts eye exams at 40. Shorter license renewals kick in anywhere from age 59 in Georgia to 85 in Texas.

The issue attracted new attention when a 100-year-old driver backed over a group of schoolchildren in Los Angeles late last month. That's a rarity, but with an imminent surge in senior drivers, the federal government is proposing that all states take steps to address what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls "the real and growing problem of older driver safety."

Here's the conundrum: "Birthdays don't kill. Health conditions do," said Joseph Coughlin, head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's AgeLab, which develops technologies to help older people stay active.
...

Measure by miles driven, however, and the crash rate of older drivers begins to climb in the 70s, with a sharper jump at age 80, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Only teens and 20-somethings do worse.

That rising risk reflects the challenge for families as they try to help older loved ones stay safe but still get around for as long as possible, which itself is important for health.
...

Among the most strict rules: Illinois requires a road test to check driving skills with every license renewal starting at age 75 — and starting at age 81, those renewals are required every two years instead of every four. At 87, Illinois drivers must renew annually.

In Washington, D.C., starting at age 70, drivers must bring a doctor's certification that they're still OK to drive every time they renew their license.
New Mexico requires annual renewals at 75.

Geographic variability makes little sense, said Jake Nelson, AAA's director of traffic safety advocacy and research. "Either I'm safe to drive or I'm not. Where I live shouldn't matter," he said.
...

This summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a national guideline for older driver safety that, if finalized, would push states to become more consistent. Among the recommendations: Every state needs a program to improve older driver safety; doctors should be protected from lawsuits if they report a possibly unsafe driver; and driver's licenses should be renewed in person after a certain age, tailored to each state's crash data.
...

On the other side is the family of a Baltimore college student who died last year after being run over by an 83-year-old driver who turned into his bike lane. Maryland next month begins issuing licenses that last longer — eight years instead of five — despite an emotional appeal from the mother of Nathan Krasnopoler that that's too long for the oldest drivers.

"You should be looking at your drivers to be sure they're able to safely drive. There's plenty of research that as we age, things do change and we may not be aware of those changes," said Susan Cohen, who now is urging Maryland officials to study adding some form of competency screening, in addition to the required eye exams, to license renewals.

"Do we have to lose a 20-year-old with an incredible future ahead of him in order to determine that this particular driver shouldn't be driving?" she asked.
...

Today, AAA's Nelson said in-person renewals are "the single most effective thing states can do to improve safety."
...

How long between renewals is best? There's no scientific consensus, but Nelson recommends every four to six years. [And Maryland just went from five to eight years. :/ ]
...

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What drivers should know about sharing the road with bicyclists

By Ashley Halsey III, Washington Post

...
10 things every driver should know about sharing the road with cyclists:

●You look for pedestrians when you’re making a turn, right? Why not take a couple of seconds longer to look for a cyclist? The rider has the right of way if he’s going straight and you’re turning right.

●The bike lane serves a purpose, and it isn’t for you to park in, even for “just a couple of seconds.” When you do that, cyclists have to swerve into traffic lanes — lanes in which drivers don’t expect them because there is, after all, a bike lane.

●You may never feel more powerful than when your foot’s on the gas pedal, but if you are at fault in a collision with a cyclist — even if you just “brush” against the biker — you might lose your driver’s license for a while and your private auto insurance forever. You could be looking at criminal charges, too.

●Riders go through stop signs. It’s illegal, and it can be annoying if they do it cavalierly. Other cyclists slow down, look both ways and then roll through. Usually it’s because their shoes are mechanically attached to the pedal. Yes, they can clip out, but they opt not to.

●Don’t count on a cyclist to hear your car coming from behind. A rider is hearing a lot more noise than you are inside the car with the windows rolled up. And some foolishly listen to music while they ride. But don’t lean on the horn.

●Wonder why that bike rider stays five feet away from the row of parked cars as you’re trying to navigate a narrow street? Cyclists call it being “doored.” If someone swings open the door of a parked car, the cyclist who is too close goes down. With many drivers pausing to check text messages or finish phone calls before they get out of a car, there’s no telling when a door will pop open.

●It would be great if every street had a bike lane and every road had a wide shoulder, but they don’t. Even when they do, there are things that you might not notice that push cyclists into the traffic lane. It’s stuff you roll over — potholes, sewer grates, pavement cracks, branches, broken glass, junk that falls off cars or out of trucks and the McDonald’s bag somebody tossed out the window.
...

<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/what-drivers-should-know-about-sharing-the-road-with-bicyclists-and-vice-versa/2012/09/15/4b8c9426-fe72-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/what-drivers-should-know-about-sharing-the-road-with-bicyclists-and-vice-versa/2012/09/15/4b8c9426-fe72-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_story.html</a>;
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MARYLAND BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN PROJECTS

This document is rather confusing as it is a six projection on what we plan to do/spend on bikeped projects.

BUT something exciting this year, for the first time ever we get to see Recreational Trails projects!!!

Maybe someone heard some of my complaints on that subject. But still there is the other issue of the $30k max per project (ref <a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20100430170721104">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20100430170721104</a>; )

Now if my math is right, what we have for 2012 is $115k. We were funded at $1,159K per year so $115K??? That does not seem right to me, OK, they say &quot;Typical projects&quot; still I would like to see a full accounting, somewhere. The next issue is other states are building trails with this fund and we are doing (for lack of a better description) trail maintenance? But it's hard to be that critical now that the state has started Cycle Maryland with its own funds. So over all I call this a good thing.

<a href="http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20Capital%20Programming/CTP/CTP_13_18/CTP_Documents/Draft13_CTP/8_BikePed.pdf">http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office%20of%20Planning%20and%20Capital%20Programming/CTP/CTP_13_18/CTP_Documents/Draft13_CTP/8_BikePed.pdf</a>;
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Bicycle strikes motorcycle

B' Spokes: This is becoming an epidemic, Motorcycle right hooks cyclist and then gets reported as &quot;Bicycle strikes motorcycle&quot; This is just wrong and really gets me ill.

<a href="http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/news/queen_annes_county/article_66325818-fc62-11e1-b9d2-0019bb2963f4.html">http://www.myeasternshoremd.com/news/queen_annes_county/article_66325818-fc62-11e1-b9d2-0019bb2963f4.html</a>;
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Police Look for Driver in Hit and Run Bicycle Accident in Berlin

By Aisha Khan, WBOC

BERLIN, Md.- Maryland State Police Berlin Barracks along with the Showell Fire Department responded to the intersection of northbound U.S. Route 113 at Jarvis Road for a report of a person struck while riding his bicycle.

Police said the accident happened around 12:06 a.m. on Saturday.

Witnesses described to authorities what they say was a flashing red light that led them to
47-year-old, Phillip Cougill of Showell, Md. lying next to a guard rail.

Police said scrape marks indicate Cougill was riding on the shoulder when he was hit.

He was flown to Peninsula Regional Medical Center for severe injuries.

Police have not found the driver of the car involved.

Anyone with any information is requested to contact the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101 extension 0.

<a href="http://www.wboc.com/story/19437082/police-look-for-driver-in-hit-and-run-bicycle-accident-in-berlin">http://www.wboc.com/story/19437082/police-look-for-driver-in-hit-and-run-bicycle-accident-in-berlin</a>;
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