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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Reported and committed to codes
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
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Establishes a three foot buffer zone between a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction on a highway
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Mike Spano
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing a three foot buffer zone between a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist proceeding in the same direction on a highway
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to create a three-foot buffer zone between a vehicle overtaking a bicycle.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill titles this bill "Merrill's Law".
Section 2 of the bill amends the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new section 1132 ,that provides for a three-foot buffer zone between a motor vehicle and bicyclist while passing. This buffer zone will only be enforceable when circumstances are practicable. Any driver who violates this section shall be guilty of reckless driving and be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 3 of the bill is the immediate effective date.
Justification
Bicycling is not only an effective alternative form of transportation which reduces traffic congestion and pollution, it is also a popular sporting and recreational activity for many New Yorkers.
The laws of New York State ,need to be amended to afford bicyclists the proper protections to encourage bicycling as a mode of alternative transportation and to ensure safety for all riders. Many roads are constructed with only a narrow shoulder on.either side which results in motorists passing bicyclists at a very close, often dangerous range. This precarious condition needs to be alleviated by requiring a greater degree of caution and distance in every situation where a vehicle is overtaking one or more bicyclists who are riding on the shoulder of a road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008 there were 42 bicycle-related traffic fatalities in New York State. In November of 2009, Merrill Cassell, a Westchester County resident and lifelong bicycle safety advocate was tragically killed in an accident with a bus while riding his bicycle.
Merrill Cassell is not the only individual who sustained fatal injuries in this type of accident, but the circumstances were made even more poignant by the fact that he had been so devoted to establishing basic safety measures for bicyclists, which are contained in this legislation. Safety provisions for all bicyclists need to be established to prevent these types of accidents in the future, and it is only fitting that this legislation bears the name of a New Yorker who worked so tirelessly for basic rights and protections for all bicyclists.
Legislative history
New Bill 2010.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.