Monday, May 22, 2006

New Bicycle Laws in Oklahoma!

This is from Ron Doughterty, the Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition's legislative director:

Hello All!!

Governor Henry signed our new bicycle law on Friday!

For reference, simply stated the law:

1. Re-defines 'bicycle' for the purposes of our vehicle code, eliminating restricting wheel sizes and configurations
2. Eliminates confusing language as to where bicyclists should ride on the road
3. Eliminates the State mandate to ride on sidepaths/sidewalks
4. Eliminates the mandatory side light requirement for bicycles (not reflection)
5. Establishes a mini m um safe-passing distance of 3 feet and sets up fines (in addition to other citations and penalties) for injury or death if a motorist hits a cyclist

What a day for cyclists in Oklahoma! We are the second state in the US to impose these fines and the third to have a safe-passing law!!!

Happy and safe cycling to all...

Ron
Legislative Director
OBC

...and there's this from Sandra, with a link to the bill.

The full text can be found here:

http://www.statewatch.com/www/OK/50R/pdf/OK50RHB02926SFS.pdf

BTW, near the end (section 9 - following a long section that doesn't deal with bicycles) there is the repeal of Section 78, Chapter 411, Section 705. That repeals the 2003 mandatory sidelight law:

ยง47-12-705. Lamp visible from both sides. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least one thousand (1,000) feet. This section shall not apply to a street or highway with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour or less. Sandra Crisp, LCI #1069Wheelmen Advocacy Director

1 Comments:

Blogger Paul Tay said...

Nice try. But, why not simply repeal 11-1205 and stop trying to tell us EXACTLY where to ride? As if we are gonna ride where it ain't safe.

The drunk driving law only applies a motor vehicle operators. So, who keeps saying you can git busted if yer drop dead drunk on a bike?

Also, Tulsa Police will usually cite idiots who insist on rollin' da BIG one with a municipal offense. Never with a state statute.

12:22 AM  

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