....as always, ignore all the ignorant "public" comments that have been posted about the article.
From Nola.com - "Senate committee approves bill to make roads safer for bicyclists"
BATON ROUGE-- A Senate committee stood up for bicyclists Thursday, giving unanimous approval to a bill that would enhance their safety on the road and make it a misdemeanor offense for occupants of cars or truck to throw objects at the cyclists.
The Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works approved House Bill 725 by Rep. Michael Jackson, I-Baton Rouge, sending it to its final legislative stop on the Senate floor.
If the bill becomes law, it will be known as "Colin Goodier Protection Act," after a New Orleans native and avid cyclist who was a fourth-year resident surgeon at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. He died last summer in Iberville Parish while training for a triathlon when his bike was struck from behind by a truck on River Road.
Jackson's bill says that a vehicle must leave a "safe distance" of at least three feet when passing a bicycle on the road, and must maintain the distance until the vehicle safely passes.
The bill also directs the Office of Motor Vehicles to include a summary of the new law in driving manuals and other "instructional publications" for drivers, and requires the state Department of Transportation and Development to "place signs in areas frequently used by bicyclists. . .to make motorists aware of the need to share the road." It also directs the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to engage in a public awareness campaign."
Violations carry a fine of not more than $250, but for motorists who are occupants of vehicles and "harass, taunt or maliciously throw objects at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle," Jackson's bill says the fine is a minimum of $200 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days."
"Hopefully, we will save somebody's life," Jackson said.
Goodier's mother, Nicette Goodier, testified that since the House passed the bill two weeks ago, one cyclist has been seriously injured by a vehicle and another killed. The accidents happened in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas, she said.
Goodier said that 14 states already have laws that set up safe zones for cyclists and at least five others besides Louisiana are debating ones this year.
"Let's legislate awareness now," she said, struggling to keep her composure. She said Louisiana ranks third per capita in bike fatalities.
-Ed Anderson, The Times-Picayune
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