AAA loves to play the villain

I am so proud to be a AAA member because AAA is supporting Senate Bill 910, which will require drivers to give bicyclists more space when passing. Thanks AAA! I knew you would see the light!


Oh, what? AAA is lobbying against Senate Bill 910? Why? More people on bikes, less in cars? Fanatical obsession with private automobiles, higher speed limits and ever widening roadways at the expense of human beings? Via Better World Club:

As was reported by San Francisco based blogger Dan Connelly (at "On Bicycles, And...What Else Is There?") during the week after the Senate Committee's decision, AAA Northern California objected principally to SB 910's provision that motorists be required to slow down when a passing distance of three or more feet could not be achieved.

Paula LaBrie, Legislative Council for AAA Northern California, justified her organization's position by arguing that, "a drastic decrease in speed differentials between the vehicle passing the bicycle and other vehicles on the road," could cause collisions that might jeopardize the safety of a cyclist. 

Paula, while I appreciate your concern for the safety of cyclists, please understand that 18 other states have already passes similar legislation, as well as the City of Los Angeles. You and me should really go on a bike ride sometime. I promise you'll change your mind on this after 10 minutes riding around Los Angeles. But until then LaBrie, we are rivals.

Please join me in supporting the Please sign SB 910 to make our roads safer campaign. It's easy, just go here to make your voice heard:

http://www.citizenspeak.org/campaign/californiabicyclecoalition/please-sign-sb-910-make-our-roads-safer 

Dear Gov. Brown,

I'm writing to urge you to sign Senate Bill 910 so that drivers must give at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a person on a bicycle.

When a passing driver fails to give a bicyclist enough space, the slightest error by the driver or the most minor shift by the bicyclist to avoid trash, broken glass or rough pavement can lead to a collision. This type of collision is the leading cause of adult bicyclist fatalities in California and the U.S.

By requiring drivers to give bicyclists more space when passing, we can minimize a leading cause of deadly collisions and help more people feel comfortable about choosing to ride their bikes. And by making it possible for more people to feel confident about choosing to ride a bicycle, we can begin to achieve some of the state's crucial goals for improving air quality and safeguarding the environment. 

Specifying a minimum passing distance provides a more objective and easily understood measure of what constitutes "safe" and gives law enforcement and the courts a more objective basis for enforcing California's safe passing requirement. Most importantly, it helps emphasize a driver's special responsibility to safeguard more vulnerable road users like bicyclists. It will save lives without imposing any costs on government. 

Please sign SB 910 into law.

Sincerely, 

The Engaged Observer