Legislature Once Again Considering Taking Cyclist Protections Statewide

By Eric Nicholson Wed., Mar. 6 2013 at 8:43 AM

The city of Dallas is still figuring out how best to alert the driving public that bicycles are vehicles, too, and that they cannot, per new city ordinance, be run off the road or targeted with flung projectiles. While that's happening, the state legislature will be considering whether to write similar bike-friendly measures into state law.

State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon, a San Antonio Democrat, filed HB 2225 on Monday, which would impose criminal penalties on drivers who fail to respect the rights of cyclists and other "unprotected road users."

McClendon's bill goes on to define, in very specific detail, exactly what that term means: Any "runner, physically disabled person, child, skater, highway construction and maintenance worker, tow truck operator, utility worker, other worker with legitimate business in or near the road or right-of-way"; anyone on horseback; anyone operating a "handcycle, horse-driven conveyance, or unprotected farm equipment; anyone on "a motorcycle, moped, motor-driven cycle, or motor-assisted scooter"; and, of course, cyclists.

The measure would require drivers to move fully into another lane when passing one of the folks listed above or, in the case of a two-lane road, give at least three feet of cushion. Drivers would also be barred from turning left into or in front of an oncoming cyclist; pulling in front of a cyclist then stopping abruptly to make a right-hand turn; and driving "in a manner that is intended to cause intimidation or harassment to an unprotected road user."

The punishment? A maximum $200 fine for a basic violation; $500 if any property is damaged; and a Class B misdemeanor (maximum 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine) if there is serious bodily injury.

If this bill sounds familiar, that's because it is. A similar measure passed the legislature in 2009, only to be vetoed by Governor Rick Perry, who argued that it was redundant and created a special type of road user. Maybe he's since had a change of heart.

We Recommend

ThePosterFormerlyKnownasPaul topcommenter

Will this proposed law protect pre - op transgendered transsexual persons in a roller skate conga line being pulled by a combination of para sails and siberian huskies down the middle of Greenville Avenue while celebrating awareness for ambidextrous children of gay and lesbian partners?

If not, then the law is not any good.

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

1 Like

@ThePosterFormerlyKnownasPaul It should. They're protected in Brooklyn.

BayRunner

3 Like

I'm a cyclist myself, but I think cyclists need a healthy dose of instruction themselves. I got a nice lesson in how a lot of motorists feel about how cyclists feel they have outright control of the road.

Monday afternoon I was driving towards one of the sailboat club parking lots to take a walk with my 18-month old. A loose dog was running around the road so I slowed down while a cyclist was trying to herd it over to its owner.

A group of 8 idiots on two wheels (remember, I'm a cyclist), didn't take too kindly to me slowing down to prevent running over the dog. I got a "G-D it, move a-hole" from the lead rider. Really nice since I had the windows down and a highly impressionable 18-month old in the car. Luckily the highly impressionable 18-month old prevented me from being a poor role model and stepping out of my car to explain to said lead cyclist that a loose dog is more important than allowing him to maintain his target pace.

cantkeepthetruthdown

1 Like

A lot of good this did when a drunk mexican plowed down 2 cyclists in Deep Ellum in his pickup truck and didn't bother to stop. NO SPEAKA!

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

Seriously, though. There ought to be a law banning those "In Case You Missed It" slideovers on this webpage. So annoying.

TheCredibleHulk topcommenter

@Myrna.Minkoff-Katz

I think oatmeal is delicious, but only if it is smothered in butter and brown sugar.

And NO raisins. Anyone that puts raisins in their oatmeal is obviously an uncivilized savage.

Myrna.Minkoff-Katz topcommenter

They should only take healthcare and housing so seriously, these shmegegges.

Montemalone topcommenter

4 Like

How about making the roads safe for cars? Just this week, a blonde in an Audi SUV was swerving all over McKinney Ave while yapping with the other blonde and probably playing with a phone. I'm not sure because I drive a car down on the ground and cAn barely see around much less into a truck. I had to hIt the horn a couple times too let her know that yes, there was a car in the lane next to her and I had just as much right to be there as she.

BAN CELLPHONES AND BLONDES!

Scruffygeist topcommenter

1 Like

@Montemalone It really is like girls just can't stand not being on the phone while driving. I've never heard a good explanation why picking up the phone the second the shifter goes in to drive is such a compulsion.

I'd bet anything she's got Bluetooth in that SUV for hands-free talking and she's too dumb or lazy to set it up.