Some vocal detractors want you to believe this is about a woman being inconsiderate of motorists and trying to make a point. That could not be farther from the truth. This case exposes a significant challenge to our right to travel safely on the roadway.
If you are like most motorists, you take the first opportunity to pass the cyclist safely, regardless of the stripe. After all, the purpose of the solid yellow line is to indicate where it is unsafe to pass, and the purpose of prohibiting drivers from crossing a solid yellow line to pass another driver is to prevent unsafe passing. So if it is safe to pass, then why is the solid yellow line there in the first place?
For decades competent and trained cyclists have had to deal with the occasional ignorant motorist who hollers out some variation on “Get off the damn road ya idjyit, yer gonna get yerself killed!”
Teaching children to travel effectively by bicycle as they get older develops patience, discipline, self reliance and personal responsibility. Learning to negotiate traffic by bicycle also teaches essential driving skills that will make them safer and more courteous motorists later.
The case, supporting materials and videos used in an effort to remove discriminatory language from a city’s bicycle ordinances.
As absurd as it sounds the cyclist went back to jail that same night — arrested again on his way home from jail, for operating on the roadway.
Government at all levels must routinely evaluate compliance with the other 5 Es. This includes the state of laws (Equality), the adequacy of minimum Engineering standards and compliance with best practices, the equitability and effectiveness of Enforcement, the reach and effectiveness of Education, and the effectiveness of Encouragement measures. Evaluations must use modern tools (such as … Continue reading Evaluation
Bicycles must be considered and treated as equal road vehicles and bicyclists must be treated as full and equal drivers of vehicles in traffic laws and policies. “Bicyclists controlling lanes are a normal and reasonable movement of traffic.” – Dan Gutierrez A fundamental disbelief that bicyclists controlling lanes is normal and reasonable has led to … Continue reading Equality
The “Understanding Bicycle Transportation” workshop is an opportunity for Planners, Engineers, Landscape Architects and others involved in transportation planning, project development, design, project management, programming, landscape architecture, construction, local assistance, traffic operations, encroachment permits and maintenance to increase their knowledge and skills in the following areas: State and Federal goals, policies, regulations, and laws that … Continue reading Understanding Bicycle Transportation