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For Immediate Release
February 2, 2012
CONTACT:
Colleen Greer
Phone: 717-787-6801
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Weekly Column: Enhancing Cycling Safety on Pennsylvania's Roadways
Safety on our roadways in Pennsylvania is every driver's responsibility.
Motorists are also responsible for sharing the roadways with others,
particularly those who are not traveling in a vehicle such as pedestrians and
bicyclists. But unfortunately, some drivers behind the wheel practice unsafe
behavior, thus jeopardizing our bicyclists who need the protection of the law to
promote their safety. That's why our Commonwealth has taken steps to bring this
irresponsible behavior to an end and ensure the state's roads are safer for all
cyclists.
The General Assembly recently endorsed a measure – House Bill 170 – that will
amend Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicle Code by requiring drivers to observe a
minimum four-foot safe passing distance, at a reduced speed, when overtaking
bicycles on the roadway. The legislation also includes other provisions to
enhance cycling safety, such as establishing reasonable speeds for bicyclists.
House Bill 170 currently awaits the Governor's signature. Once the bill
becomes law, Pennsylvania will join 19 other states that already provide
cyclists with an extra level of protection from passing motor vehicles.
Motorists misjudging the space required to pass a bicyclist and those turning
into the path of an approaching bicyclist are two common causes of crashes.
This legislation addresses these problems by making it illegal to turn right
into the path of a cyclist — what cyclists refer to as a "right hook." Drivers
would be required to pass bicyclists with a minimum of four feet and protect
bicyclists from a "right hook" or "left hook," where a motorist makes an
improper turn into the bicyclist's direction of travel.
In addition to setting a safe passing standard, this legislation clarifies
some gray areas in state law regarding vehicles and bicyclists. For example, it
would be legal for a vehicle to cross the double yellow line on a two-lane road,
if necessary, to provide the four foot clearance when passing a cyclist. The
law would not make it legal to cross the center line into oncoming traffic. In
this case, a motorist would need to wait until traffic clears in the oncoming
lane to pass the cyclist.
The League of American Bicyclists cites the lack of laws protecting
bicyclists from closely passing cars and from right hooks as reasons
Pennsylvania ranks so poorly as a bicycle-friendly state. In 2010, nearly 1,500
crashes involving a bicycle were reported throughout the Commonwealth, compared
with 1,400 in 2009, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that
Pennsylvania ranked 10th nationwide with bicycle-related traffic deaths in 2009.
Once law, this legislation will further codify the rights of bicyclists to be
present on the roadway and make it safer for them while traveling. Of course,
the law itself will only act as a catalyst for changing the habits of
motorists. Both the motoring and bicycling communities must act responsibly and
follow the laws governing our roadways to ensure a safe environment for all
uses.
Bicycling has gained popularity over the years and become an efficient,
effective mode of transportation, evidenced by the large number of cyclists
observed on Pennsylvania's roadways. As one of those avid cyclists, I too enjoy
the sport and believe this legislation will protect our bike enthusiasts and
make the activity safer for them. |
