Senator Blakeslee Shows His Support for Bicycling

October 7, 2011 update: Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the bill.  Learn more, and what’s next.

September 6, 2011 update: The California Assembly voted 44 to 25 to approve Senate Bill 910, the 3-foot passing bill. The bill now goes to Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature.  

June 16, 2011 update. Next step:  The bill is scheduled for hearing by the California Assembly Transportation Committee on Mon., June 27.   Send a letter of support by 5 p.m. on Tues., June 21  to Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee.  For details and updates, please check with GiveMeThree.org.

June 2, 2011 update.  Special thanks to State Senator Sam Blakeslee, who represents constituents of California’s 15th district, which includes portions of Monterey County.

Senator Blakeslee demonstrated important support for the safety of everyone who bikes in California with his YES vote on the 3-foot passing bill, SB 910.  The bill passed the California Senate on  June 1, 2011, with 27 “yes” votes, and 9 “no” votes.

Please send Senator Sam Blakeslee a note of appreciation

If you prefer to phone or fax, see contact info at the Senator’s website.  Are you on Twitter? Spread the good news with a thank-you tweet @SamBlakeslee.

Via postal mail, address a thank you note to Senator Blakeslee at any of the following three addresses.  Let him know you appreciate his wisdom in recognizing that bicycling is a health-building,  environmentally sound, economically savvy transportation choice that deserves safer conditions, such as the three-foot passing requirement he voted in support of.

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Better bicycle infrastructure has many benefits, including safer conditions for cyclists.  Besides infrastructure changes, certain legislation can also be appropriate and effective, such as the California Senate Bill 910, which would ensure that California motorists give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing from behind.  Nineteen other states have passed similar bills.  For more info, see the California Bicycle Coalition’s GiveMeThree.org.

I am grateful that my senator, Senator Sam Blakeslee, gave careful consideration to this bill.  I  asked that my senator vote yes on SB 910, and I appreciate that his reflection on the issue resulted in a YES vote.

How else to stay safe?

In addition to infrastructure and appropriate legislation, of course, it is vital that both motorists and cyclists take personal responsibility for traveling as safely and predictably as possible.

Not a Pretty Picture:  When Bikes and Cars Collide

Sadly, as I headed home this evening [May 25, original date of this post] via this route alongside the Naval Postgraduate School,  I came upon the scene below at the corner of Sloat and Del Monte in Monterey.  Accidents aren’t something any of us like to see, and the distance of this zoom lens is closer to a bicycle accident than I ever want to come.

As to the details, I will leave that to others.  The photographs here are shared as a reminder:  Work for better bike infrastructure, legislation where appropriate, and better relationships with other users on shared bikeways.  And, of course, take personal action to protect your personal safety on the bikeways.

Reports are that this was, thankfully, a relatively minor injury accident.  Prayers go out to the cyclist involved….

And gratitude to the emergency services personnel who were quick to arrive and assist–police officers, fire department, and ambulance.