Right before Memorial Day weekend, we have a great opportunity to help FINALLY win a 3 feet law here in California. A vote is set to be held in the California Senate early next week. Our State Senator, Tony Strickland, is a crucial Republican vote for this bill. So, as we remember the men and women who have risked or lost their lives in service to this country, lets also remember those cyclists who have been injured or killed on our roadways. We have a historic opportunity to become one of the 18 states with this neccessary protection for cyclists.
For more information on the state bill please visit GiveMeThree.org
Our friends at the California Bicycle Coalition have prepared a great letter that we have tailored for our own Senator Strickland. Please read and use as a prompt to fax or email. You can also call his office at: (916) 651-4019 His email is
senator.strickland@senate.ca.gov
May 26, 2011
Hon. Tony Strickland
State Capitol, Room 4062
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 324-7544
Re: SB 910 (Lowenthal) - SUPPORT
Dear Senator Strickland,
I’m a constituent from Santa Barbara County and I’m writing to ask you to vote yes on Senate Bill 910
(Lowenthal), which will be heard soon by the full Senate.
Cyclists too often face dangerous conditions on California’s streets due to motorists passing too closely.
When this happens, the slightest error by the motorist or the most minor shift by the bicyclist to avoid
trash, broken glass or rough pavement can lead to a collision. This type of collision is the leading cause of
adult bicyclist fatalities in California and the U.S.
By requiring motorists to give bicyclists more space when passing, we can minimize a leading cause of
deadly collisions and help more people feel comfortable about choosing to ride their bikes.
SB 910 will require motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing from behind. The
bill modifies existing state law that requires a motorist to maintain an unspecified “safe” distance when
passing another motorist or a bicyclist. The California Driver’s Manual already recommends 3 feet of
clearance for motorists passing bicyclists as a basic rule of the road.
A specified passing distance provides a more objective and easily understood measure of what
constitutes “safe” and gives law enforcement and the courts a more objective basis for enforcing
California’s safe passing requirement. Most importantly, it helps emphasize a motorist’s special
responsibility to safeguard more vulnerable road users like bicyclists.
Sincerely,
<<YOUR NAME>>
<<YOUR LOCATION>>
