So argues Michael Dresser in the Baltimore Sun.
House Bill 496, along with the companion Senate measure that received
preliminary approval last week, would write into Maryland law an
evolving national standard that has been adopted in at least 20 states.
It won't cost the state money. The State Highway Administration and AAA have endorsed it. Nobody testified against it when it came up for a hearing. It could save a life or two.
Nevertheless, Cardin told me Friday, the bill's prospects are hanging by a thread in the House subcommittee. The Baltimore County Democrat said it isn't being lobbied to death, but it has touched a nerve of resentment among some legislators.
They've seen the way some bicyclists behave. They've seen them scoot through red lights where vehicles are stopped. They see them flagrantly going the wrong way on one-way streets. They see them riding side by side and taking up a whole lane of a two-lane road, oblivious to the vehicle traffic stacking up behind them. Why would anyone possibly want to pass a law on behalf of those people?
Because it's the right thing to do.
Nevertheless, Cardin told me Friday, the bill's prospects are hanging by a thread in the House subcommittee. The Baltimore County Democrat said it isn't being lobbied to death, but it has touched a nerve of resentment among some legislators.
They've seen the way some bicyclists behave. They've seen them scoot through red lights where vehicles are stopped. They see them flagrantly going the wrong way on one-way streets. They see them riding side by side and taking up a whole lane of a two-lane road, oblivious to the vehicle traffic stacking up behind them. Why would anyone possibly want to pass a law on behalf of those people?
Because it's the right thing to do.
Same old song. Drivers do all these things too (most of us are drivers and have seen this from the driver's seat as well as from the saddle).
And yet, there are still laws passed on behalf of drivers. What a crazy argument.
Posted by: Eric_W. | March 24, 2009 at 09:27 AM
That's a nice bit...
"Why would anyone possibly want to pass a law on behalf of those people?
Because it's the right thing to do."
Posted by: Jack | March 24, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I definitely agree that it's the right thing to do. I also think that this story highlights the fact that cyclist (mis)behavior can have consequences (political, in this instance).
Posted by: guez | March 24, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Until _those people_ in cars start obeying speed limits, traffic lights, stops signs, lane markings and STOP KILLING AND INJURING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR WITH THEIR VEHICLES, I don't think we should pass any special laws on their behalf. In fact, I think we should ban motor vehicles from public roadways until we can find a way to make cars idiot-proof.
Posted by: Nancy | March 25, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Too bad we can't ask the legislators to ride bike on the road whilst having their arm "gingerly brushed" by an SUV side mirror. That would change their minds pretty quick.
Hell, if they could see a cyclist-cam video of a car passing too close, that might be enough.
Posted by: at | March 25, 2009 at 12:02 PM
why would anyone want to spend millions in tax money for bike trails for a few
Posted by: web | February 26, 2010 at 07:23 PM