Yesterday was a significant day for Maryland cyclists. On the last day of the state legislative session four major bills passed that will help make roads safer for cyclists, the most significant being the "3-foot bill" which requires motorists to allow 3-feet clearance when passing. Unfortunately, that didn't help Lawrence Bensky, who was killed a week ago by a car on Butler Road in Baltimore Country on a lovely sunny afternoon. Joel Alan Wyman was also hit and remains in serious condition. In a local news interview about the incident, one man was quoted as saying about cyclists, "They're taking up the road, thinking they own the place, it seems like."
I don't know either of these men, but have three cyclist friends who've been hit by cars; one was killed five years ago. At a time when more and more people are commuting by bike, driver "tolerance" for cyclists seems to be regressing. Last weekend I received my first drive-by tirade of the season for no apparent reason; another cyclist had a milkshake thrown at him. You read that correctly: he was hit with a milkshake for being on the road and forcing a car to temporarily slow down.
Why this anger? What motorists don't seem to understand is that cyclists ride in the middle of a lane when there's no shoulder specifically to avoid what happened to Bensky: a driver passing too closely. All cyclists want bigger road shoulders; when they don't exist we need to ride in the road.
Lawrence Bensky was 43 and leaves a wife and two daughters, ages 7 and 3, behind. Eighty-five cyclists rode to Annapolis yesterday in memory and honor of him. For more information on the bills just passed and other information on how you can support cyclists, visit One Less Car, a small Baltimore organization with a mission of promoting safe alternatives to cars as primary transportation.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A Deadly Ride, but a Promising Vote
Labels:
bicycle safety,
cycling,
Maryland,
One Less Car,
three foot bill
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2 comments:
You will find plenty of support here, we have frequently blogged about the dangers of being a pedestrian in Baltimore! I am sure cyclists have it bad as well. My roommate rides with Critical Mass, and while it may be a great way to raise awareness, unfortunately it doesn't help advance the cyclists' cause. I think more awareness of the real danger posed would be helpful.
Also, as a law student I encourage all informed individuals to take time to think about what the three foot bill really says and how it will really be enforced before saluting any elected official for its implementation...
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