At tomorrow’s afternoon council work session, council members will discuss the terms of a Vulnerable Road User ordinance, aka Safe Passing. If you’re wondering about the name change, it’s because the Vulnerable Road User protects includes pedestrians, runners, physically disabled persons, children, skaters, construction and maintenance workers, stranded motorists, equestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and unprotected farm equipment operators.
Dalton Gregory proposed the ordinance in February 2010 to help encourage safer passing by motorists in the same spirit as the bipartisan bill that Rick Perry vetoed. Several Texas cities have since passed their own similar ordinance.
is the public invited to this meeting?
It’s a work session, which is available for public viewing, I believe. I think it starts around 3PM.
[…] Council to discuss Safe Passing ordinance from Bike Denton by bikedenton At tomorrow’s afternoon council work session, council members will discuss the terms of a Vulnerable Road User ordinance, aka Safe Passing. If you’re wondering about the name change, it’s because the Vulnerable Road User protects includes pedestrians, runners, physically disabled persons, children, skaters, construction and maintenance workers, stranded motorists, equestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and… […]
Is there any reason this would not pass? I still don’t understand why Perry vetoed it. Its like being against something totally sensible in regards to safety, like 20mph speed limits in school zones…
So pleased to see Denton moving forward with this initiative to secure at least 3 feet of protected space for bicyclists when being overtaken by a motorist. Sixteen states and a growing number of cities have seen the wisdom and value of having such a law on the books. One key point to emphasize is that the value of this law isn’t found in giving motorists tickets, but rather, using the law as a tool to help educate motorists on what is considered a minimum safe passing distance—at least 3 feet please.
There will be naysayers who will say the law is only a “feel good” law and unenforceable. I say hogwash. Energetic law enforcement agencies who understand their mission to protect and serve the members of their communities waste no time in rolling up their sleeves and finding ways to do their job. And some of the best do it without issuing one single ticket—pure education. So, I repeat…it’s not about enforcement, but rather, educating motorists on how to safely negotiate around a cyclist from behind. And the key thing for a motorist to remember is this: if you don’t believe you can pass a cyclist with at least a yard-stick worth of clearance, then wait until you can.
The question is really very simple: will a 3 foot law (ordinance) save Denton cyclists’ lives? The answer is, YES. So, you know what to do Denton…make it happen, please. Lives are at stake.
Let me know how I can help.
Good luck.
Joe Mizereck
Founder
The “3 Feet Please” Campaign
joe@3feetplease.com
well said, Joe! Thanks for poppin in around here!