NolaCycle is a project aimed to create a high quality cycling map of New Orleans. Cycling maps include information beyond just streets and their names that benefits cyclists. In our map, we highlight the pavement quality, car travel speed, lane width, and special caution areas (busy intersections, man-eating potholes, or high accident areas). Volunteers help to collect this data by attending mapping events.
The information is then digitized to make a map of the data we collected to help cyclists - young, old, local, and tourist alike - navigate New Orleans.

Check out the blog for updates on the project, ways to get involved, and volunteer mapping events!

If you have questions, feel free to make a public comment on the blog entry or e-mail us directly at info@nolacycle.com.

Friday, June 5, 2009

One step close to the Colin Goodier Protection Act (aka Louisiana 3ft Law) becoming law!

The Senate Transportation Committee approved the Colin Goodier Protection Act!!!! It will now be sent to the floor to be debated and voted on.

....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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