Oklahoma Passes Strong New Bike Law-Can it happen in Oz?

[rooman]

May 22, 2006
"Oklahoma Passes Strong New Bike Law
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed a powerful new bicycle law on Friday, May 19. The law:
1. Re-defines 'bicycle' for the purposes of the state's vehicle code, eliminating restricting wheel sizes and configurations
2. Eliminates confusing language as to where bicyclists should ride on the road
3. Eliminates the state mandate to ride on sidepaths/sidewalks
4. Eliminates the mandatory side light requirement for bicycles (not reflection)
5. Establishes a minimum safe-passing distance of three feet and sets up fines (in addition to other citations and penalties for manslaughter, improper use of a motor vehicle, etc.) for a motorist who injures or kills a cyclist.

Oklahoma is now the third state to have a safe-passing law and the second to back it up with specific fines. Arizona and Utah are the other states with safe-passing laws, with Arizona having specific fines. Advocates in other states can now use Oklahoma's law for legal precedence to aid them in their work. The law was passed with the help of a strong push from the Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition. "

( thanks to Kincannondale at over at BikeJournal)

Item 5 is a plus, it was mooted last year by Bart from BV at woj rally in Melb that this might happen in Oz, but nothing since...I would like a minimum 1m no go zone around cyclists and mandatory implied guilty of an offence for any contact activated by any motorised vehicle on a cyclists's person or bike...

just looking for flying porkies...never know may get some crackling when they come to earth...we live in hope!!
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[SomeGuy]

Um... my learners book told me I must give a cyclist 2m clearance when passing?

 

[SomeGuy]

Correction: the "road to solo driving handbook" states on pg 126 that you should give a cyclist (or motorcyclist) 'at least 1m' clearance when passing in the same lane.

Ref: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/randl/Part4V8.pdf

 

[cfsmtb]

Been doing updating here:
http://www.woj.com.au/australian-road-authority-links/

Links ok, or require corrections?

 

[MikeyOz]

Correction: the "road to solo driving handbook" states on pg 126 that you should give a cyclist (or motorcyclist) 'at least 1m' clearance when passing in the same lane.

Ref: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/randl/Part4V8.pdf

Are they laws that are applied in a court of law or attempted to be argued in a court of law or are they just "Rules and Responsibilities" ??

 

[cfsmtb]

Are they laws that are applied in a court of law or attempted to be argued in a court of law or are they just "Rules and Responsibilities" ??

Or even 'serving suggestion only'.

Sorry, not trying to be flippant, just doing a lot of multi-tasking work btw reading a.b and other sctuff.

 

[rooman]

Or even 'serving suggestion only'.

Sorry, not trying to be flippant, just doing a lot of multi-tasking work btw reading a.b and other sctuff.

not laws, only suggestions...even recognised as suggestion by Minister; (read this)...still ***** footing

25.03.04:MINISTER URGES CYCLISTS AND MOTORISTS TO SHARE THE ROAD A campaign to encourage motorist and cyclists to share the road more cooperatively and reduce the risk of four common cyclist crash types has won the support of Transport Minister for Victoria, Peter Batchelor.

The Share the Road campaign was launched last Sunday at Australia’s largest cycling event, the 2004 Orange Great Melbourne Bike Ride.

An initiative of the Victorian Bicycle Advisory Council (VBAC), the Share the Road campaign provides people with simple ways to avoid crash situations whether they are cycling or driving.

Four easy steps to Sharing the Road with cyclists:
1. Give way to cyclists at intersections;
2. Drive slowly in residential streets;
3. Give cyclists a clearance of at least 1 metre when overtaking; and
4. Check behind you for cyclists before opening your car door.

Four easy steps to Sharing the Road with drivers:
1. Be bright – day and night;
2. Educate children about cycling safely;
3. Obey the road rules; and
4. Provide a clearance of at least one metre to any parked cars.

Mr Batchelor said that Victoria’s ever-growing network of bicycle lanes and paths had significantly improved safety for cyclists over recent years.

“However, more than 1,000 cyclists were injured in crashes with motor vehicles each year, with many more involved in minor crashes and near misses”, he said.

Research shows that cyclist casualty crashes mostly occur in the following ways:
• Motorists drive into the path of an on-coming cyclist (around 30 per cent);
• Cyclists ride onto a road from a footpath or driveway (around 24 per cent). Over half of these cyclists are under 15 years of age;
• Drivers hit a cyclist from behind or from the side (around 20 per cent); and
• Cyclists hit an open car door (around 10 per cent).

“Like many of the participants in yesterday’s ride, I am both a motorist and a keen cyclist, and therefore exposed to both sides of the issue”, Mr Batchelor said.

“Cyclists are legitimate road users and are just as entitled to use the road as motorists. However, cyclists need to remember that they must obey road rules, just like motorists.”

The cyclist / driver tips are outlined in a series of three Sharing The Road brochures. These tips were communicated to many participants in Sunday’s ride and will be used for a series of Share the Road activities in the coming months.

“Cycling is an effective, healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport. The more people who ride their bicycles to work, to school and for recreation, the better for everyone”, Mr Batchelor said.

Share the Road is an initiative of the Victorian Bicycle Advisory Council (VBAC) which includes Victoria Police, VicRoads, RACV, Bicycle Victoria, Cycling Promotion Fund and the Retail Cycle Traders Association.

For more information call VicRoads Bicycle information service: 1300 133 979, or visit the VicRoads website; www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

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Hhat makes it worse is that Road laws "permit motorists to overtake a cyclist travelling in the same lane, so if you give them room, they will come close and push you into the gutter..

A study done here: http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrpdf/trum/tr2004218.pdf

also makes assertions that motorists give an average of no more than 1m on certain roads in melb....

well meaning suggestions to learners, get no truck when they are not law!