Category Archives: State

3 Foot Safe Passing Law goes into effect today, September 16th

3 FT LAW

Today, September 16, 2014: Three Feet for Safety Act goes into effect.
The Three Feet for Safety Act legally mandates that motorists give people on bikes at least three feet of space when passing. Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a “safe distance.” The new law defines “safe distance” as three feet. If enough space is not available, the motorist must slow and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.

One key to making the new law effective is to make sure everyone, specifically the driving public knows about it. LACBC has collaborated with AAA, Wire Media, and CalBike to create the “I Give 3 Feet” graphic free for use to publicize the new law. This graphic can be downloaded from Wire Media here. We encourage all media outlets (big or small), bicycle groups, and interested parties download and utilize this graphic, along with the associated bullet points about the law.

Key points to include with the Three Foot for Safety Act graphic are:

  • Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a “safe distance.”
  • This new law defines “safe distance” as at least three feet when passing bicyclists traveling in the same direction. This new law gives an educational tool for motorists. Instead of teaching drivers to give a “safe” amount of space when passing, we teach them to give a specific 3 feet. If they don’t it’s punishable by law.
  • If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.
  • Violators will face a $35 fine, as well as a $220 fine if a collision occurs.
  • Law takes effect September 16, 2014.
  •  It lays the political groundwork for Vulnerable Road User laws, and laws of the like to protect all road users

AAA has printed 10,000 window clings for public distribution utilizing the same graphic. Their roadside assistance will be handing out tip cards with the graphic starting in September. Our partners at CalBike are also offering two sticker designs to help promote the new law. We have a supply of window clings that are available free at any of our local events. LACBC has a supply at the main office downtown LA. If you are interested in a greater supply please contact us. You can request the CalBike stickers and window clings directly from CalBike by following this link: https://calbike.org/bulkgiveme3form

Our work with AAA and CalBike is made possible thanks to the support of LACBC members and donors. Not a member? Become an LACBC member or make a donation today.

3 Foot Law Starts September 16th, help get the word out!

3 FT LAW

One month from today, September 16, 2014 the Three Feet for Safety Act will finally go into effect. The Three Feet for Safety Act legally mandates that motorists give people on bikes at least three feet of space when passing. Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a “safe distance.” The new law defines “safe distance” as three feet. If enough space is not available, the motorist must slow and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.

One key to making the new law effective is to make sure everyone, specifically the driving public knows about it. LACBC has collaborated with AAA, Wire Media, and CalBike to create the “I Give 3 Feet” graphic free for use to publicize the new law. This graphic can be downloaded from Wire Media here. We encourage all media outlets (big or small), bicycle groups, and interested parties download and utilize this graphic, along with the associated bullet points about the law.

Key points to include with the Three Foot for Safety Act graphic are:

  • Existing law requires motorists to pass bicyclists while keeping a “safe distance.”
  • This new law defines “safe distance” as at least three feet when passing bicyclists traveling in the same direction. This new law gives an educational tool for motorists. Instead of teaching drivers to give a “safe” amount of space when passing, we teach them to give a specific 3 feet. If they don’t it’s punishable by law.
  • If not enough space is available, the motorist must slow and pass when no danger is present to the bicyclist.
  • Violators will face a $35 fine, as well as a $220 fine if a collision occurs.
  • Law takes effect September 16, 2014.
  •  It lays the political groundwork for Vulnerable Road User laws, and laws of the like to protect all road users

AAA has printed 10,000 window clings for public distribution utilizing the same graphic. Their roadside assistance will be handing out tip cards with the graphic starting in September. Our partners at CalBike are also offering two sticker designs to help promote the new law. We have a supply of window clings that are available free at any of our local events. LACBC has a supply at the main office downtown LA. If you are interested in a greater supply please contact us. You can request the CalBike stickers and window clings directly from CalBike by following this link: https://calbike.org/bulkgiveme3form

Our work with AAA and CalBike is made possible thanks to the support of LACBC members and donors. Not a member? Become an LACBC member or make a donation today.

3 Foot Law Officially Starts September

TOGETHER: LET’S GET THE WORD OUT!

3 FT LAW

In September 2014 the “Three Feet for Safety” law will go into effect in California. It requires that motorists provide at least three feet of space between their vehicle and a bicyclist, when passing. This is thanks in part to the ongoing efforts of organizations like the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), and AAA to improve the safety of streets for cyclists as well as driver awareness of the rights and regulations relating to bicyclists.

City of Los Angeles and State of California Partner to End Hit-and-Runs

From LACBC HQ:

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Click image for video

July 23rd, Assemblyman Mike Gatto, L.A. City Councilman Mitch Englander, hit-and-run survivor Damian Kevitt and LACBC’s Eric Bruins announced a new partnership between City and State governments to bring an end to hit-and-run in California. Assemblymember Gatto is carrying two bills this year to both increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers (AB 1532) and create a new “yellow alert” (AB 47) that would use existing electronic signs to disseminate vehicle descriptions along state highways. The latter bill was introduced late in the legislative session at the urging of the Los Angeles City Council.

Hit-and-runs continue to plague Los Angeles, with over 20,000 incidents every year, including 4,000 injuries. Pedestrians and bicyclists are most at risk of being killed or seriously injured, which is why LACBC continues to work with partners like Assemblyman Gatto and the California Bicycle Coalition to put an end to these crimes. Thank you to Assemblyman Gatto for his leadership, and to Damian Kevitt and Finish the Ride for his courage and perseverance.

For more, see coverage in the Los Angeles Times.

 

We Support AB 1532 Hit & Run License Suspension, Assemblymember Gatto

Supporting Finish The Ride, an organization that is building a movement to raise awareness of hit and runs in California.  Supporting AB 1532 is just one part of Finish the Ride’s larger efforts to stem the rising epidemic of hit and run crimes across California.


 

SM_Spoke_w_500px
A community group dedicated
to walking & biking in Santa Monica.
Working to make the City of Santa Monica a
more sustainable, walkable
bikeable place to live, work and play.

June 10, 2014

The Honorable Mike Gatto
State Assemblymember, 43rd District
State Capitol, Room 2114
Sacramento, CA 94249

RE: AB 1532 (Gatto): Hit-and-Run License Suspension: Support

Dear Assemblymember Gatto,

On behalf of Santa Monica Spoke, a Santa Monica walking and biking advocacy organization, I write in support of AB 1532, which would suspend the driver’s license of persons involved in a misdemeanor hit-and-run when a person has been struck.

With the alarming increase of hit-and-run incidents around the state, LA County and in the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica Spoke has been working to increase the safety of people walking and biking in our city as well as awareness to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists up-and-down our state.

AB 1532 would provide a much needed deterrent to those who would strike people walking and biking and drive away, showing no concern for their fellow citizens. It is a measured approach that will help in the work that our group and other pedestrian and cycling groups do every day to make our streets safer.

For these reasons, Santa Monica Spoke is proud to support AB 1532

Sincerely,

Cynthia Rose
Director
Santa Monica Spoke

cc: Members of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, Tom Ammiano, Chairman