New Indiana bike safety law makes headway

By Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com)

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New Indiana bike safety law makes headway

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Feb 19, 2009 at 7:17 AM EST

Story Updated: Feb 24, 2009 at 11:58 AM EST

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — A new bill in the Indiana state legislature would create some rules on the road for bicycle safety.

The Indiana Bike Coalition and Bike Michiana Coalition are behind the effort.

The goal of Senate Bill 553 is to give bicyclists and drivers some guidance and accountability.

Peter Colan is a member of the Bike Michiana Coalition.

"I'm a frequent commuter," he said. "I commute to work and other activities."

Colan is on his bike every season, and says the new law is necessary.

"As you know there have been some deaths in this last year of people trying to get around on bikes, and a car is 2,000 pounds and a bike is 17 pounds. It's no match," said Colan.

Patrick Sawyer was hit and killed by a drunk driver in July, and Peter Kaczor was hit and killed by a driver in August. Both men had been wearing reflective vests and helmets.

"It seems to me drivers are just not aware of these vulnerable users," said Paul Taylor, who is with the Bike Michiana Coalition.

Taylor helped draft the new law, which has 15 provisions, including
defining a bicycle as a vehicle, clarifying hand signals for bicyclist, requiring motorist to allow a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist, making it illegal to harass or impede a biker and clearly defining a bike lane.

"We define what a bike lane is, how motorists are to treat bicyclists in those lanes and we define how bicyclists need to behave in those lanes," said Taylor.

Taylor says part of the process has been to demand some accountability not only for drivers, but for the bicycling community.

South Bend Senator John Broden authored the bill, and issued a press release earlier this week.

“There are many cyclists using the roadways, and we need to ensure the bicycle riders and drivers understand how to interact with one another to keep Hoosier roadways safe,” Broden said.

Tuesday the bill passed 6-1 out of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation, and Veteran’s Affairs.

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