Bills promoting biker safety might expand driver’s education
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Bikers might feel safer riding around campus if legislation promoting biker safety is passed in the state Senate.
The bills, introduced May 5 by state Sen. Tom George, R-Texas Township, would require driver’s education classes to provide instruction on bicycle law and increase awareness of bicyclists on the road.
The bills also would include provisions for higher penalties in the case of the injury or death of a bicyclist.
“There have been several bicycle-car collisions,” said Sherry Sofia, chief of staff for George. “It’s not just other vehicles on the road, but (drivers) have to share the road with sometimes nonmotorized vehicles like the bicycles.”
Educating future drivers on the proper interaction between motorists and bikers would be beneficial, said Suzy Carter, executive director of the Lansing Area Safety Council.
“It goes right along with interacting with school buses and funeral processions,” she said. “I think it’s a great place to start and I think it will certainly try to encourage more physical activity.”
In a city with so many students riding bikes from class to class, legislation to promote the safety of these bicyclists is important, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said.
“I can tell you that we probably have more car-bicyclist accidents than the average community,” he said.
Under the legislation, those were convicted of injuring a bicyclist would face punishment of up to a year in prison or a $1,000 fine.
Those who kill a bicyclist might be imprisoned for up to 15 years or fined $7,500.
These punishments might create more awareness on the roads and prevent accidents, Wibert said.
“Hopefully maybe a stronger punishment would put that notion farther up in someone’s mind as they are driving,” he said.
Others who have experienced the risks of biking on campus said the education is important.
“I think it’s extremely important that drivers are aware of bikers’ rights,” said Kendra Tabor, a 2009 MSU alumna. “I’ve almost gotten hit … when I was on my bike one time, and I had the right of way.”
If passed, the legislation will be a good thing for the state, but it will take time to see a significant change, said John Lindenmayer, associate director of the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
“I think nothing’s going to change over night,” he said. “Helping to educate motorists from day one will help create a culture where people share the road.”
The bills promoting more driver education instruction are currently before the Senate Transportation Committee, and those enhancing penalties are before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Commentary
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Danny
(08/05/09 8:20am)Report
Who cares about the bicyclists? They need to stay on the sidewalks anyways. Passing this legislation would only encourage these delinquents to go back out on the street when they really belong on the sidewalk (if even there). There’s nothing more annoying than seeing anyone biking around campus.
I don’t trust these morons to not crash into me when I’m walking, let alone dive right into a car while in the street. Considering none of them even know how to ride their own bikes, it should be for their own safety that they remain on the sidewalks. Plus I can laugh when I see two bikes collide on the sidewalk, or crash into another person because bikers are so stupid. But, if they crash into a car and are lying on the ground, it wouldn’t be appropriate to laugh. I would have to call 911.
However, I will say as a driver and pedestrian around campus, bicyclists are annoying in either place. It’s not like I’m encouraging sidewalk use here. So I am going to call out to Tom Wibert right now and ask that he passes legislation that bans bikes from East Lansing altogether. I think that most people would benefit from not having to deal with them around campus. Specifically, it says a lot about them after a satire was written about it in this paper that they got their biker shorts all up in a bundle and had to stage protests, threaten the author, and berate him with racial slurs. Their hypersensitivity pisses me off as well. I can only imagine how they would react if they were clipped by a side view mirror while in the street. All of next year’s paycheck would go toward reparations for their skinned elbow.
I’m looking at you Tom Wibert, make it happen, bud.
Liz Kersjes
(08/05/09 9:09am)Report
Wait, Danny, is that satire? I can’t tell. If it is, then well played, very subtle. I especially like “skinny elbow” and how it can be read as a backhanded compliment.
If it isn’t… then are you the car that purposefully swerved into me on campus while I was following all road rules on my bike?
Andy
(08/05/09 10:08am)Report
Danny, you’re fucking retarded.
Derek Hollaway
(08/08/09 2:56pm)Report
It’s because of idiots like Danny here that people are leaving Michigan for places that have more respect for bicyclists.
Remember Danny, we pay taxes too for that road you drive on, and if it wasn’t for the bicycle, you wouldn’t be driving that car either.
Hey hey hey now
(08/08/09 5:26pm)Report
Lay off Danny! Give him a break! He’s only like this when he doesn’t get his daily prune juice.
So, if you see an old, hunchbacked, wrinkly man shaking his cane at everything that has between zero and four wheels, hand the guy a laxative.
Because one day, we’ll all be old and spiteful.