City plans to give bikes more space
Drivers who pass too closely to bicyclists on Columbus streets could receive tickets soon.
Mayor Michael B. Coleman has proposed a law that would create a 3-foot buffer for cars passing bicycles on city streets. Commercial vehicles, such as semis, would have to leave a 6-foot gap.
Coleman announced the proposed ordinance, which should be introduced to the city council in June, at the annual Bike to Work Day event at Columbus Commons yesterday.
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The proposal is in response to several highprofile bicycle crashes in Columbus. Several cyclists have been killed or seriously injured in collisions with cars in the past year.
“Oftentimes, it’s simply because of cars and motor vehicles not providing enough distance,” Coleman said. “The car is going to damage the rider every single time.”
Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo have similar bicycle-buffer laws in place.
Columbus’ proposal is part of a broader freshening of the city’s traffic code, which needs to be brought in line with state revisions, said Randy Bowman, city mobilityoptions manager.
Bicycle advocates have pushed for a statewide 3-foot buffer rule, which was introduced in the legislature last year and remains in committee. One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Michael Henne, R-Clayton, said this week that the measure now has enough votes to emerge from committee.
Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus City Council president, said, “People want to live in cities that welcome and encourage healthy recreation and alternative transportation. It should be easy and safe for you to get to work by bicycle.”
The city also plans to work with Ohio State University and the Central Ohio Transit Authority on a new “Bug Your Bike” program, which will distribute free radio-frequency ID chips that can be attached to bikes.
The chips can’t track a bicycle’s whereabouts, but if it is stolen and recovered by police or impounded, city and OSU officials can scan the chip to track down the owner. COTA will alert the city when chipped bikes are left on a bus rack.
Bicycles can be registered by calling 614-6458366 or visiting www.columbus.gov/bugyourbike. Registration tables also will be set up at several upcoming events and festivals across the city.
Columbus’ Bike to Work event grew from about 50 participants and one bike route last year to 350 registered bicyclists and seven routes converging on Columbus Commons this year.
Bicyclists in attendance yesterday said the buffer rule is overdue and awareness needs to be raised among motorists.
“It’s more of a matter of ensuring the laws are enforced so drivers are aware,” said Tina Nguyen, a bicyclist who commutes to her job at the city’s education department.