There are more here, but I picked out the bike-specific ones.
SENATE BILL 98 Synopsis:
Prohibiting a person from using a text messaging device to write, send, or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle.
SENATE BILL 250 Synopsis:
Authorizing the driver of a motorcycle at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a traffic control signal to proceed through a red signal under specified circumstances if a visible vehicle sensor operating the traffic control signal does not detect the presence of the motorcycle.
Prohibiting a person from using a text messaging device to write, send, or read a text message while operating a motor vehicle.
SENATE BILL 250 Synopsis:
Authorizing the driver of a motorcycle at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a traffic control signal to proceed through a red signal under specified circumstances if a visible vehicle sensor operating the traffic control signal does not detect the presence of the motorcycle.
Both of the above should apply to bicycles as well
House Bill 25 Synopsis
Altering regulations relating to the operation of motor scooters on roadways so that a person may not operate a motor scooter on a roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 30 miles an hour and may not operate a motor scooter at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour.
Altering regulations relating to the operation of motor scooters on roadways so that a person may not operate a motor scooter on a roadway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 30 miles an hour and may not operate a motor scooter at a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour.
First they came for the scooters...
And some are trying to institute a mandatory helmet law. It would make Maryland the first state to do so for adults.
House Bill 187 Synopsis:
Prohibiting a person from operating or riding as a passenger on a motor scooter unless the person is wearing protective headgear; expanding the requirement that bicycle operators or passengers wear certain protective headgear to apply to all persons; and clarifying that the defined term "bicycle" includes a moped.
Prohibiting a person from operating or riding as a passenger on a motor scooter unless the person is wearing protective headgear; expanding the requirement that bicycle operators or passengers wear certain protective headgear to apply to all persons; and clarifying that the defined term "bicycle" includes a moped.
House Bill 25 is misguided. I have a 250cc Vespa GTS which can easily keep up with traffic, even 80mph traffic on the Beltway. Larger model scooters have become popular in recent years, and the lines between scooters and motorcycles have blurred. Instead of covering all scooters in this bill, they should use a term like "2-wheel motor vehicles with engine displacements of 100cc or less" or something like that.
Posted by: Chris Loos | January 30, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Senate Bill 98--Agreed, drop "motor" from the text. Of course it would require adding bicycles to the definition of vehicles.
Senate Bill 250--Not needed, if the sensor fails to detect a vehicle then it is defective. Defective signals are already treated as stop signs in the law.
HB 25--Another useless statute that later could be turned against bicyclists. Hopefully it dies a gruesome death in committee.
HB 187--Classic nanny state legislation. Helmet crash stats are highly debatable. Again, death in committee is almost too good a fate for this one.
Heard anything about the rumors of a 3ft passing law? That one I could possibly support. It won't do much good before the fact but contact in a crash is clear evidence of its violation and could help get significant convictions on vehicular assault/manslaughter charges.
Posted by: Grendel | January 30, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I haven't heard anything about the 3 foot passing distance in Maryland. Anyone else?
Posted by: washcycle | January 30, 2009 at 12:40 PM