Senatorially groundhogging the snow

Happy Groundhog Day!

I hope you are enjoying a nice, quiet day at your home.  Or doing some snow-shoeing or some sort of skiing.  At my abode it is pretty snowy, so I stayed home from work and have been trying to feel productive.  To that end I composed the following letter to the senator:

Dear Senators,

I am contacting you to communicate my support for LB 716.  As a bicycle commuter for the past eight years, I feel that this bill provides common sense updates to existing laws.  Nebraska has done a lot to improve options for bicyclists over the past 10-20 years – many cities have multi-use trails, bicycle lanes, and signage to inform motorists of the likely presence of bicyclists.  As our state grows, I feel that our laws should grow and adapt to better serve our communities.  Communities greatly benefit by increased bicycling – better health, less motor vehicle traffic, and organized bike rides that support local economies, for example.  This bill improves and clarifies the legal status of bicyclists.  

The State of Nebraska’s Driver’s Manual states, “At intersections and roundabouts, right-of-way rules apply equally to bicyclists and motor vehicles.”  I was, therefore, surprised to learn that a bicyclist legally crossing an intersection in order to continue riding on a multi-use trail or sidewalk might not be legally entitled to the right of way.  As a boy, my mother always told me that drivers should yield the right of way to both pedestrians and bicyclists at intersections, but that drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike needed to “look both ways.”  These are words of advice that have kept me safe and helped me maintain a good attitude towards other road users while bicycling.  Nothing in this bill relieves the bicyclist or driver of their responsibilities to exercise care at intersections.  We all must work together to stay safe.  This bill goes so far as to clarify bicyclists’ responsibilities with the following statement, “No bicyclist shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.”  This is just common sense, and riding predictably and at safe speeds (especially at intersections) are key to safe bicycling and improving bicyclist-motorist relations. Unfortunately, a few times I have experienced vehicles turning and leaving me with less space than I felt was safe while I was crossing a crosswalk on a multi-use trail and after having pushed the crosswalk button signal.  I do not think these motorists saw me (although I typically have one or two front lights and two to three taillights).  Based on some close calls, I now ride more in the streets and less on multi-use trails because I feel that I am more visible to traffic.  This brings me to the second part of the bill. 

The elimination of the mandatory sidepath law is a common sense act that will make bicyclists feel more secure in making good decisions based on existing conditions.  Sidepaths are generally a blessing to bicyclists; however, there are times when it is safer to use an adjacent street – snow, ice, mud, or debris may prevent the safe use of side paths.  

I can imagine some would say, “Well, if these conditions exist, maybe you shouldn’t be bicycling!”  But I feel that bicycling should be an option available to us all.  It improves my mental and physical health, saves me money, and makes for one less motor vehicle on the sometimes busy streets of Omaha.

Please consider the benefits to bicyclists and your communities that you will be supporting by voting for this bill.  Thank you for your time and consideration and for your dedication in representing the people of our great state.

There you go.  That counts as community service, right officer?

Here is a fat-tyred e-bike that looks like it's pretty good for those who might be so inclined.  Ever considered getting a moped instead?  

Here is a movie that Omaha Pedalers are sponsoring on February 11 at Aksarben Cinema.  It is called Inspired to Ride, and it is produced by the same people who did Ride the Divide and Reveal the Path, both of which were quite enjoyable.  So hopefully I will see you there.

Let’s ride!  Or maybe do something else that’s fun!  Wood-burning stove and tv, here I come!