1 for 2 in Maryland

CPABC reports on the status of these two cycling bills

House Bill 143 would have required motorists to give a cyclist at least three feet when passing and to yield to cyclists in a bike lane.  The bill FAILED, but did result in the State Highway Administration agreeing to create a public information campaign centered on educating motorists and cyclists on the need for giving 3 feet while passing on the road.

Senate Bill 492 PASSED  and changes the law that prohibits bicycles on all toll facilities. This will ease the restriction so that bicycles and pedestrians can be allowed on new bridges and existing bridges with improvements to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. This clears the way for MdTA to consider bike-ped accommodation on a new bridge being planned to replace the Governor Nice Bridge on US 301 between  Southern Maryland and Virginia.

Of the two, I'd rather have the former rather than the later since there aren't any Maryland toll roads in the DC area that I'd want to bike on (except maybe the Bay Bridge - which still isn't possible). But still it's somewhat positive news. Also CPABC has an updated version of their bike map at their site.

Comments

[SteveH]

It seems rather odd that Bill 143 would have failed in the Senate. I wonder what the opposition said about the matter...are there enforcement issues? Three feet of space being impractical on narrow roads? Drivers not being able to measure three feet of space?