Gov. Jerry Brown Vetoes Bicycle Bill As Unsafe

Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the bicycle safety bill that would have required motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of passing room or slow down.  He believed this bill was fundamentally unsafe because it would cause more car accidents.  By asking people to slow way down on one lane 40 MPH roads, Gov. Brown fears that incidents of accidents and road rage will increase.  The other 20 states (and the District of Columbia) that have passed similar safety laws did not seem to give this concern as much merit as Gov. Brown does.  Instead, they seem to prioritize the safety of their bicycling citizens, making sure that the laws around bicyclist passing are clear and the consequences actionable.

The bill was endorsed by Lance Armstrong and LA Mayor Villaraigosa, but Gov. Brown claimed that Highway Patrol and Caltrans both raised legitimate concerns. (Word is that other Automobile interest groups like AAA and the Teamsters Union have come out against the bill as well).

The bill’s creator, state Senator Lowenthal, is understandably disappointed.  Not all hope is lost, however, as Gov. Brown claims he’d be willing to work with Lowenthal to “address his concerns” in the bill next year.

You can see the full story at the website for the Los Angeles Times by clicking here. Sign On San-Diego has another great article about the conflict around the bill as well, click here to read it.

CA Senate Approves 3-Foot Passing Bill

California may soon become the 19th state to pass a bill protect bicyclists against unsafe vehicular passing practices.  Senate Bill 910, also known as the 3-Foot Passing Bill, was approved 27-9 and is headed to Assembly.

This bill essentially seeks to enforce the California Driver’s Handbook-recommended passing distance between bicycles and cars by enacting a fine for motorists who injure a bicyclist in violation of this rule.  It also seeks to legalize the behavior of motorists crossing a double yellow line in order to safely pass a bicyclist.

18 other states have similar bicyclist-protection laws in place.  For more information see the Examiner’s article on the bill.

Bicycling and the Citizens of San Diego

According to this article in San Diego Magazine, the image of bicycling is changing in San Diego.  Once thought to be the domain of athletes and hobbyists, bicycling is quickly becoming an important way for the average citizen to commute and run short errands in the urban community.

But the San Diego community lacks the infrastructure to support the growing number of bicyclists.  Although the city has done what it can to put bike lanes in where it is convenient and cost-effective, the city has yet to follow through on any plans that involve the removal of parking or car lanes.  Although costly, this sort sort of investment is, many argue, necessary. 

As a result of this lack of infrastructure (designated lanes, separate paths, and easy routes through residential areas) many of the city’s bicyclists are put into dangerously close contact with high-speed traffic, and are often frightened off their bicycles. 

But bicycling is good news for everyone: it can not only save a city millions in healthcare costs, but can also encourage local shopping and less likelihood of expensive lawsuits from dangerous bike routes.

Despite the potential benefits of becoming more bike friendly, though, the businesses of San Diego have mixed feelings about bicycle infrastructure.  Some communities are against it, saying that it will decrease the desperately-needed parking for their business. Others have been trying to get bike-parking approved for  years, only to find the approval process stalled out, knee deep in bureaucracy. 

San Diego will have to make up its mind sooner or later, though.  Cities all over the United States are making significant financial and political investments in bicycling, and many believe that San Diego’s failure to do the same will result in massive costs dow the road. 

Essentially, says Kathy Keehan, the Bicycle Coalition’s departing executive director, “we have beautiful plans on the books” but “don’t have the political will to get them done.”

What a shame.

Updated On Bicyclist Fatality: Tragedy All Around

In an article published by The San Diego Union Tribune, more details on the untimely and devastating death of Suntat Peverley are brought to light.

The driver of the street sweeper involved, 77-year-old Fred Franklin Fuller, was suffering from a tragedy of his the own.  Fuller, who had owned his own street sweeping company for 33 years, had given the business up to his son.  But both his son and his wife died less than a month ago, causing Fuller to resume his job behind the wheel.

According to police involved Franklin confessed that he’d been having a hard time sleeping, and given the death of his wife and son, it is no wonder.  Although he has been found at fault for the accident he has not been charged and his license is under investigation.

Fuller’s sad personal circumstances do not lessen the grief that Peverley’s wife and two children face at his passing, though.  Peverley, a long-time Phlebotomist, was well known and well liked by co-workers and friends.  He biked to stay in shape, and loved his life as a father, husband, and breadwinner for his family.

Given the suddenness of his passing, friends are starting a (non-tax-deductible) memorial fund to help his family defray sudden and unavoidable costs.

RIP – Suntat “Sunny” Peverley

Please keep the Peverley family in your hearts and minds–and stay as safe as you can out there on these wild urban and rural roads.

Bicyclists’ Greatest Fear: Being Hit From Behind

On February 11, 2011 many bicyclists’ worst fear was realized when 44-year-old bicyclist Suntat Peverley was killed after being hit from behind on his bike.

Peverley, according to this 10News.com article, was riding south in the bike lane on Genesee Ave. (near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard Drive) when he was hit from behind by the street sweeper of which a dozing 77-year-old man had lost control.

According to San Diego Police Officer David Stafford, Peverley was thrown from his bike into the pavement and suffered major head trauma.  The blunt force trauma evidently included several skull fractures and massive brain damage. Although Peverley was on life support in Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla’s ICU briefly, he was pronounced dead at 10:45pm on Friday, February 11th, a little more than 5 hours after the time of the accident.

Peverley’s death is an example of a scenario that gives even extreme road warriors pause: getting hit from behind while doing everything right.  Not only was Peverley in the bike lane (and out of traffic) at the time of the accident, he was also wearing a helmet to protect himself.

Proposed Law Cracks Down On Cell Phone Use While Bicycling

Due to a proposed new law, bicyclists may want to lay off the cellphone while riding.  The California Assembly’s Transportation Committee approved legislation that will ban bicyclists from using their cell phones at all while in motion.

We’ve seen the damage a distracted driver on a cell phone can do, so it makes sense that drivers of the OTHER vehicle on the road would be held to the same standards.