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TfL plans to fine motorists and dock points from licences for ignoring Advanced Stop Lines

[B' Spokes: Here's some ideas that might help make Maryland a bit safer for non-motorists.]
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By Simon_MacMichael, Road.cc

London’s Cycling Commissioner, Andrew Gilligan, plans to deploy CCTV cameras to catch motorists illegally entering Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs), with transgressors being fined £60 and having 3 penalty points put on their driving licence.
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“We know how many cars go into advance stop boxes — probably more than 50 per cent of the time. Maybe they don’t known they are meant to stay out of them.

“At present, you have to have a police officer standing at the junction or in a police car. What we can do is stick a camera up and do automatic enforcement. That will sort out the problem.”

The Standard points out that fines imposed on drivers for ignoring ASLs or mandatory cycle lanes [cars entering bike lanes (or parking in them)]
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<a href="http://road.cc/content/news/84623-tfl-plans-fine-motorists-and-dock-points-licences-ignoring-advanced-stop-lines">http://road.cc/content/news/84623-tfl-plans-fine-motorists-and-dock-points-licences-ignoring-advanced-stop-lines</a>;
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[B' Spokes: Could you imagine automated enforcement of no parking in the old trolley lane around the inner harbor?]
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MARC, whoops I mean BART Removes Rush-Hour Bike Ban for Full Five Month Trial

[B' Spokes: I love this this because it is an agreement to ACTUALLY see what kind of problems may occur rather than idle speculation about some domesday if we accommodate bikes.]
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SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday night, BART Board of Directors voted to hold a five-month trial, allowing bicycles on trains during all hours of the day, and removing a key obstacle to regional travel by bike. The five month lift of the “bike blackout” will run July 1-December 1.

<a href="http://www.sfbike.org/main/bart-removes-rush-hour-bike-ban-for-full-five-month-trial/">http://www.sfbike.org/main/bart-removes-rush-hour-bike-ban-for-full-five-month-trial/</a>;
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Britain's biggest driving schools to roll out cycle awareness module

AA and BSM to teach new drivers how to share the road safely - and that there's no such thing as &quot;road tax&quot;

Via Road CC

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&quot;However,” he added, “it would be even better if young people were given advanced cycle training on the use of busier roads, before they start learning to drive.

“Anecdotal evidence from instructors suggests that regular cyclists are quicker to pick up hazard perception and defensive driving skills. CTC has, in the past, argued that advanced cycle training for teenagers be provided alongside basic skills training for younger children as part of the school curriculum.&quot;
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&quot;The next step is to make cycle awareness a core part of the practical driver’s test, particularly on how to overtake people on bikes safely.

“By slowing down speeds, improving routes available to cyclists and pedestrians and changing the culture on our roads to one of sharing and mutual respect, we can improve road safety for everyone.”

<a href="http://road.cc/content/news/84411-britains-biggest-driving-schools-roll-out-cycle-awareness-module">http://road.cc/content/news/84411-britains-biggest-driving-schools-roll-out-cycle-awareness-module</a>;
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Police Launch New Initiative To Protect Cyclists

[B' Spokes: Filed under news you will not see in Maryland.]
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By Sarah Vasquez, Austinist

May is National Bike Month, and with more than 8,000 Austinites commuting to work by bike, the Austin Police Department is partnering with the Public Works Department Bicycle Program and local nonprofit Please BE KIND to Cyclists to start the first phase of a bike safety initiative May 8.

According to KUT, cops dressed in plain clothes will ride on bicycles with chase vehicles nearby to monitor safe spaces between motor vehicles and bicycles on the street. The Vulnerable Road Users Ordinance requires motor vehicles to allow three feet of space when passing a bicyclist and other vulnerable road users. Large trucks and buses are required to provide at least six feet of space.

However, if a motorist has to cross over the double yellow lines to give the allotted space, APD has included guidelines not to cite them—just be safe about it.
These new safety provisions come after a record year for traffic fatalities. And Republic of Austin writes that the city has already reached 28 traffic-related fatalities this year. Cyclist Brian Lindquist has undergone more than 10 brain surgeries after he was hit by intoxicated driver Truett Jones last October.

<a href="http://austinist.com/2013/05/03/post_24.php">http://austinist.com/2013/05/03/post_24.php</a>;
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Safe Passing Cyclists in a Double Yellow Lane

[B' Spokes: this is what happens when the police are well connected with the cycling community... good safety advice that benefits all road users. And just in case you have missed MDOT's answer to this question 6. Can a driver cross a double-yellow line to pass a bike?" we have essentially the same thing but with no public announcement. This kind of information should not be top secret!]
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The template for improved road safety

&quot;The template--informing the public that traffic safety laws will be strictly enforced followed by high visibility, zero-tolerance enforcement, culminating in publicizing enforcement data--changes driver behavior.&quot;

<a href="http://fastlane.dot.gov/2013/04/distracted-driving-awareness-month-guest-contributor-capt-shannon-trice-enforcement-works.html">http://fastlane.dot.gov/2013/04/distracted-driving-awareness-month-guest-contributor-capt-shannon-trice-enforcement-works.html</a>;

B' Spokes: Note the &quot;publicizing enforcement data&quot; which is a very rare for the Baltimore Metro area.
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New Type of Traffic Signal Allows Pedestrians to Cross D.C. Roads More Safely

B' Spokes: Those that are familiar with § 2-602. Public policy (<a href="http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20111025010622931">http://www.baltimorespokes.org/article.php?story=20111025010622931</a>; ) might be amazed that Maryland does not do these signals... so filed under News You Will Not See in Maryland.

<a href="http://dcist.com/2013/04/new_signal_allows_pedestrians_to_cr.php">http://dcist.com/2013/04/new_signal_allows_pedestrians_to_cr.php</a>;
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Some good PSAs

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[B' Spokes: Filed under "News you will not see in Maryland." You did see the the extra passing width for trucks and buses along with "No room? Wait and don't pass." In Maryland MDOT has given the advice (paraphrased) No room? You can pass anyway. :(]

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