Newly passed legislation makes bicycling a little easier

Cyclists will be able to ride (and breathe) a little easier starting Jan. 1 (2008), when a recently passed Illinois state bill takes effect.

Senate Bill 80 requires that "the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual."

The majority of drivers I encounter naturally do this already, but the few who get a big thrill out of buzzing within inches of a cyclist will now officially be breaking the law. I realize that this could spell the loss of several seconds in an average driver's commute, but the trade-off is well worth it.

Senate Bill 80 also provides that a bicycle rider may signal a right turn by extending his or her right hand horizontally and to the right side of the bicycle. This is a very natural motion and something that is long overdue in becoming an official law.

The final element of the bill provides that the rider is not required to ride as close to the right-hand curb or edge as practicable and safe when the rider is approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.

More good news: Last Wednesday, another bill that will be very beneficial for cyclists and pedestrians was put into law. Known as "Complete Streets," Senate Bill 314 directs the state to establish pedestrian- and bikeways in the planning and construction of state road projects. It passed through both houses earlier in the year and then was essentially vetoed by Gov. Blagojevich on Aug. 30, by changing the word "shall" to "may" throughout.

As of Wednesday, however, both houses had voted to override the veto and the law became effective immediately.

Rules to remember: As long as we're on the topic of state rules of the road, here's one that is frequently ignored -- much to the discomfort of unfortunate cyclists: "No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers."

And so --to remain impartial -- here's one that ignorant cyclists out there really need to observe so that my inbox can get a little less crowded: "Persons riding bicycles or motorized pedal cycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for their exclusive use. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane."