Councilmembers Cheh and Wells introduce bill to make biking safer and easier

Earlier today, DC Councilmembers Tommy Wells and Mary M. Cheh introduced an Bicycle Safety Omnibus bill that would make several significant changes to the law.  These include

• Require the District Department of Motor Vehicles to require an applicant for an operator’s permit to demonstrate knowledge of safely sharing roadways with pedestrians and bicyclists
• Allow bicyclists to use pedestrian traffic control devices to cross an intersection unless otherwise indicated; 
• Establish a requirement that public space permit holders blocking a sidewalk, bicycle lane, or other pedestrian or bicycle path provide a safe accommodation for pedestrians and bicyclists; 
• Establish driving record points and civil fines for failure to yield the right-of-way to a bicycle and colliding with a bicycle, 
• Modify the requirement for bicycles to have an audible warning device,
• Remove restrictions on where a warning device may be used.

The MSM is focusing on the points and fines for failure to yield the right-of-way or colliding with a cyclist, but all of these have the potential to make biking easier and safer in the District. 

The rule allowing cyclists to go on the Pedestrian Leading Interval (PLI) will allow cyclists to legally get out ahead of automobile traffic, even when a bike box isn't present. It's like Idaho Stop lite. 

The bill removes the requirement to have a bell, as long as you can yell loud enough to warn people, which is a good step since the rule was widely ignored and probably served no purpose. Yelling in an emergency is so much easier than ringing a bell. Though, I think a bell is more courteous for trail users, I don't think they should be required.

Unfortunately, the rule change about riding two abreast didn't make it in (though it's mentioned in the header), but still this is a good step forward. 

 

Bicycle Safety Omnibus Draft_2 1 13 by

Comments

[Jameel]

I was surprised by the parts regarding points for getting in an accident with a cyclist. Is that not already the case? Can anyone confirm-
1) If a driver is at fault in an accident with another driver, do they get points?
2) If Yes to 1), wouldn't the same language apply to cyclists and pedestrians?

[Jacob]

This is fantastic news. There are so many construction sites in areas with heavy activity and no pedestrian accommodations during construction. It's downright pitiful, but hopefully this legislation will go through.

Next, we need to get rid of right-turn-on-red and the ridiculous double turn lanes across crosswalks. Both are downright atrocious for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

[charlie]

Yep, the public space permit holder thing is a huge improvement.

I'm not for mandating helmet, but you should be required to have a bell and a light.

[contrarian]

Charlie -- Why a bell? From a safety perspective, why is that better than shouting? And I assume by light you mean when operating at night.

[Mike]

Shouts are easily misunderstood & the bell is much more effective. that said, I merely hope that everyone has one; I don't see that it helps to make it an opportunity for a pretext stop.

[randomduck]

@contrarian: bells are more effective than shouting if only because they are a higher pitch than a human voice, and thus are more likely to be heard over the din of traffic or headphones (and don't get me started on folks who reduced their ability to hear their surroundings by listening to their music player with headphones as they ride).

A combination of a bell or horn, as well as a verbal warning, usually gets fellow riders' (and drivers') attention.

[washcycle]

I have a bell on my bike, but when there's an emergency, I don't ring it. My brain takes the path of least resistance which is to call out.

I doubt a driver in a car can hear my bell better than my voice. Also, I seem to recall some science showing that the tone of a bell makes it difficult to know where it's coming from.

Anyway, I put the over/under for the total number of people in the history of biking who avoided injury or death thanks to a bike bell at about 1.

[highvizguy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrHzw2Zd1eQ

I looked for a UK cyclist's channel where he did a test of his bell vs. horn vs. voice on pedestrians, but couldn't find it.
The takeaway is that a bell doesn't really cut it anywhere other than a trail.

[Joe]

Now if you register those bikes and they can get a ticket for running the red lights and stop signs it will be equitable.

[washcycle]

Why should equitable be the goal?

[Christine]

I believe this whole cyclist business has gotten out of hand. This is a city which caters to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. I have lived in this city for over 35 years, the "pedestrian has the right of way" has imperiled both drivers and pedestrians. A whole generation of residents no longer look both ways, they wear headphones, talk on cell phones and pay absolutely no attention to their surroundings. If something should happen, it will always be the drivers fault. Cyclists should be obligated to wear a helmet, have lights on their bicycles and if they are going to be allowed to use pedestrian crosswalks rather than wait for the light they should have a bell to warn a pedestrian of their presence. What are they suppose to shout - hey buster watch out I'm coming through?!!!! I agree with Joe - it should be equitable.