• Bike Rentals
  • Bike Ferry
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Bike Vermont
    • Webinars
    • Videos
    • Rules of the Road
    • Biking Tips & Tricks
    • Maps & Routes
    • Bike/Walk Benefits
    • Bike Racks & Lockers
    • Buy, Sell or Donate a Bike
  • Community Action
    • Community Action
    • Valet Bike Parking
    • Volunteer
    • E-Bikes
    • Advocacy
    • Workshops
    • Education for Kids
    • Speak Out
  • About
    • About
    • Who We Are
    • Blogs
    • News
    • Events
    • Newsletters
    • Join Our Team
    • COVID-19 Statement
    • Corporate Sponsorships
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Home /
  • Community Action /
  • Advocacy /
  • Campaigns & Advocacy /
  • Campaigns and Advocacy Updates /
  • Recommended 4-foot Safe Passing Now Law

"Recommended" 4-foot Safe Passing Distance Now Law

Posted on May 12, 2016

rally_for_safe_roads_crowd_view_thumb.jpgOver the past six months, Local Motion has invested hundreds of hours in educating lawmakers and advocating for change in Vermont's laws related to bike safety and driver responsibility.  We've been working closely with Rep. Mollie Burke and Rep. Willem Jewett (huge thanks to both!) to find ways to make our roads safer for everyone. 

In the 2016 session, four key measures passed the House and were sent up to the Senate:

  • A 4-foot minimum passing distance.

  • A change in statutes to protect people on bikes from "right and left hook" crashes.

  • Increased use of ignition interlock devices.

  • Increased penalties for DUI crashes with vulnerable users.

The Senate Transportation Committee disagreed with the approach, instead directing VTrans to spend $100,000 on "share the road" messaging.

The two committees came together in conference and approved a 'recommended' 4 foot safe passing distance as well as an increase in the use of ignition interlock devices to prevent driving drunk. The compromise required by the Senators was an increase in the fine for bicyclists riding two abreast who impede traffic from $25 to $100. (Vermont law has no definition of "impedes," so enforcement will be problematic.)

One thing became very clear in the conversations in the State House. Many of our elected officials do not know who you are and how you ride. The image of the bicyclist as a stop-sign-ignoring, traffic-impeding scofflaw is all too prevalent, and obscures the need (and demand!) for greater access to safe biking for people of all ages and all abilities. 

Sitewide Featured Legislation statewide
Do you like this post?
Tweet

Be the first to comment


Sign in with


Or sign in with email

    or Create an account


    Create an account

      or Sign in with email
      Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.
      • Sign in with Facebook
      • Sign in with Twitter
      • Sign in with Email
      Stay Informed
      localmotionvt
      Follow @LocalMotionVT on Twitter
      Subscribe with RSS

      1 Steele Street #103 Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 861-2700 | info@localmotion.org

      © Local Motion 2021

      Site by Mosaic • Created with NationBuilder