Three-foot passing rules are safe. Requiring drivers to change lanes to pass people on bikes are even safer.
Wyatt Gordon reports on the Bicycle Safety Act, recently proposed in the Virginia General Assembly.
The Bicycle Safety Act, HB2262 and SB1263, "would require drivers to fully change lanes to pass people biking, allow cyclists to ride two abreast in a lane, and permit people on bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs," according to Gordon.
The bill has already made progress, advancing out of the Senate Transportation committee earlier this month. According to Gordon, the new Bicycle Safety Act would build on the safety improvements of the hands-free law approved by the General Assembly in 2020.
According to Gordon, the Bicycle Safety Act is modeled on the example of the Bicycle Friendly Delaware Act approved in the First State in 2017. Delaware built on the limited success of an iteration of the passing law—requiring three feet of space for divers passing people on bikes.
"Since 2013, Virginia law has required drivers to pass cyclists with three feet of clearance. In Delaware, the same rule was never enforced until it mandated a lane change," according to Gordon.
FULL STORY: New bike bill hopes to make streets safer for cyclists
Berkeley to Explore 'Idaho Stop' Policy for People on Bikes
Berkeley could decide to deprioritize enforcement of people on bikes who treat stop signs as yield signs when the intersection is free of traffic.
Let’s End Traffic Stops
The technology to make traffic enforcement obsolete is becoming available. But in the U.S. willing to use it?
Starting Today: The Idaho Stop Is Legal in Washington State
A law passed in March allowing people on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs when conditions permit takes effect today in Washington State.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Trump: Federal Government Won’t Pay for California HSR
The President has targeted federal funding for the California bullet train project since his first administration.
San Francisco Enhances Urban Planning Initiatives with Green Infrastructure
San Francisco incorporates green infrastructure in its city development initiatives, elevating the importance of sustainability in urban planning.
Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan
The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions