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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > September > 28 > Entry
Vandalia biking advocate gets bipartisan support
Chuck Smith of Vandalia, chair of the Ohio Bicycle Federation, got bipartisan support on Monday, Sept. 28, for proposed bicycle safety legislation.
“We need to remind everybody to give us three feet,” Smith said at a windy press conference outside the Statehouse in Columbus.
The bill backed by Sen. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, and Mark Wagoner, R-Ottawa Hills, would require a lateral passing zone of three feet when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle.
Fifteen other states have passed such legislation, Fedor said. In Ohio, a violation would be a minor misdemeanor, subject to a maximum fine of $150.
Smith, a civilian employee at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base said he commutes to work every day by bicycle, a round trip of about 35 miles.
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Comments
By Frank
September 28, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this
Just a short comment on this. Anyone that rides a bycylcle, needs to obey all traffic laws. That includes riding on the same side that other vehicles go on, stopping at all stop signs, ect. Autos go a lot faster than bikes and bike riders need to pay better attention to what they are doing. Do not ride a bike and listen to earphones at the same time. You need to be able to hear traffic. I ride a bike myself, and I pay attention to my surroundings at all times. myself.By Jeremiah
September 28, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
Mike, I agree completely with HALF of what you said: “make sure the bikes stop at stop signs, obey traffic rules, etc. Bikes don’t get respect because enough riders don’t respect those around them” Too bad the first half of what you wrote is nonsense. Maybe you can get something passed to ban cars during busy times?By mike
September 28, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
How about the bikes keep off the road during busy times? Or that the bikes stay as far right as they can when on the road. Make those laws and I’d support the 3ft law. And while you are at it make sure the bikes stop at stop signs, obey traffic rules, etc. Bikes don’t get respect because enough riders don’t respect those around them.