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Senate Bill 101 – Three feet please
Posted by Paul Taylor on January 3, 2012
Senator Broden has sponsored a 3 foot passing bill in the Indiana General Assembly. It is slated to be assigned to the Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters.
Here’s the legal synopsis of the bill: “Provides that it is a Class C infraction for a person driving a vehicle overtaking a bicycle to not allow at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle and not return to the original lane until the vehicle is safely clear of the bicycle.”
If you want details, or want to follow the political wrangles of the bill, you can do so at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&doctype=SB&docno=0101.
This is the third year that Senator Broden has sponsored a bicycle safety bill. Two years ago there was an ombudsmen bill with many minor provisions. It nearly passed but died in the reconciliation process between the two chambers of the legislature. Last years bill never got to the assembly floor, probably because it included a mandatory helmet provision and received little or no support from the bicycling community.
This year’s effort is a single issue bill: 3 feet please. Tim Maher said “Hopefully this is our year.” Tim has been among the strong supporters of Sen. Broden’s bike safety efforts.
As a follower of biking issues, I am reminded of the state of Maine. They introduced bicycle safety bills for seven (count ‘em 7) consecutive years before a bill was passed. Maine is now one of the most bicycle friendly states in the U.S.
Ken said
lets make the roads 3 feet wider
Glenda Lamont said
Thinking positive thought and keeping fingers crossed! Like you said, Paul, it is a start.
Glenda Lamont
lhierony said
Yes, lets do….
Bethany C said
Who is the best person for us to email support of this? I’ll pass the info along to my friends…
Paul Taylor said
Good question from Bethany!
I’m putting together an advocates tool kit. It will consist of the contact information for all the Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Matters members. It will also include a link to make it easy for advocates to contact their local representatives and senators, along with some tips on how to be an effective advocate. I hope to have it ready tomorrow, January 6.
Joe Mizereck said
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. To see how a couple other states framed the discussion see Talking Points at http://www.3feetplease.com/media
Bottom line question is: will a 3 foot clearance law save lives? The answer is YES.
Thank you,
Joe Mizereck
Founder, The “3 Feet Please” Campaign to save cyclists’ lives
Rod Arnold said
This may be a good idea, but I personally don’t think it will keep bike riders much safer. It does nothing to make the road safer for the bike rider. It assumes that car drivers see the bicycle and just don’t feel like getting over. The truth is that in many situations the speed difference and the small profile of the bike make the situation difficult to avoid. This law will make criminals out of people who would have done the right thing if they could have. Bikes need to be allowed on sidewalks or bike lanes need to be made. Seperation is the only way to stop accidents. Granger paths is such a good idea. Maybe the path needs to be smaller to make those residents happy. But we have to get bikes off the roads. Bikes always loose in an accident.
Paul Taylor said
The ’3-feet please’ bill died in committee…it never got a committee hearing, and the 2012 legislative session has ended, so it’s dead for 2012.