Proposed law requiring changing lanes for cyclists sparks anger
Q Requiring drivers to change lanes when passing a bicyclist? It's insane. People could end up weaving back and forth all over the roads, causing far more crashes. Fewer lane changes means traffic flows better.
— Paul Jacobs, Saratoga
A AB 1909 would require motorists to change lanes when passing a bicyclist, and would allow bicyclists to cross with the “Walk” signal. The proposed new law has been met with fear and anger.
Q No! Requiring vehicles to change lanes is dangerous for all. … AB 1909 would be a nightmare … combining the evil of the 3-foot pass of bikes with the evil of move over or slow down. Repeal the bad laws, don't extend their evil. …
It's a lot of work keeping track of a cyclist that you're sharing the road with, or repeatedly passing, and now you have to change lanes in front of other cars? This would slow auto traffic, as cars must wait for a chance to change lanes whenever a bicyclist is present.
— Darlene Brannen, Susan Hunts, David P., Lyn Hood, Lynne Ellinwood and numerous others
A Now on to another proposed bill.
Q AB 2264 doesn't address the biggest problem of right turn on red drivers looking left and turning right. It makes it worse. At least when right turners have the green, they are usually looking the way they are going. With a longer red, drivers would be looking left for a longer time when pedestrians are in the kill-zone.
I've ridden bicycles, motorcycles and cars for over 100,000 miles each in the Bay Area, and walk every day, so I view these proposed laws from many sides.
— David P., Mountain View
A And …
Q I strongly disagree with Joseph from San Carlos. Speed cameras only take your picture when you are speeding. If you don't want your picture taken, don't speed. This is a very different situation from license plate readers that track all cars going down a particular street. Also, anybody going 26 miles an hour over the speed limit should have their car run through a crusher.
— Thom Mayer
A And a comment …
Q As part of the change in rules allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yields, we also need to give cyclists right of way over pedestrians. This is the case in countries like the Netherlands where cycling is a major mode of transportation. This change in thinking is part of the process of considering cyclists as a prioritized part of the transportation system, rather than people out having fun. A cyclist cannot stop (or start) on a dime in the way a pedestrian can.
— Kathryn Henkens A Thanks for your input.