SB 1224 Passes House
Senate Bill 1224, our "bicycle bill" to update Michigan's vehicle code to make it more bicycle-friendly, passed the House on June 29th, 2006 on a 101-3 vote. It now goes back to the Senate for concurrence before heading (hopefully) to the Governor's desk for her signature. Please take a moment to thank your Legislature for their support on SB 1224.

To learn more about the bill visit our advocacy center.

If you would like to thank your Legislature for their support on SB 1224, this web site will help you identify your Senator and Representative and his or her contact information:
www.vote-smart.org.

The main points of SB 1224 are listed below.
For detailed information on the bill, you can go to
the following web site:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(h5t0gz301crrb355jgpmon55)/
mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2006-SB-1224

SB 1224, states that a person operating a bicycle upon
a roadway would have to ride as close to the right-hand
curb as practicable, except as follows:

• When overtaking and passing another bicycle or
  any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
• When preparing to turn left.
• When approaching an intersection in a lane from
  which right turns are permitted and the bicycle
  operator intends to proceed straight through.
• When riding on a one-way road having two or more
  marked traffic lanes, in which case the individual
  could ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of
  roadway as practicable.
• When necessary to avoid conditions making it unsafe
  to continue along the right-hand curb or edge,
  including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving
  vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, or other
  obstacles; or in a lane too narrow to permit a vehicle
  to safely overtake and pass a bicycle.

SB 1224 also changes the following:

• Gives bicyclists in the crosswalk, the same rights as
  pedestrians; requiring motorist to yield to
  bicyclists also.
• Allows bicycles to be parked on the sidewalk where
  it is not disallowed by signage and where the bicycle
  does not interfere with pedestrian traffic.
• Eliminates language that allows local ordinance to
  require bicyclists to use an adjacent side path. It
  also eliminates requirement that a bicyclists under
  age 16 use the side path unless an adult accompanies
  him or her.
  DUE TO A CLERICAL ERROR THIS WAS INADVERTENTLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE FINAL SENATE BILL. THANKS TO AN AMENDMENT IN THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE THIS IS IN THE HOUSE BILL

The following talking points might be helpful when communicating
with your Senator.

Yielding to bicyclists in crosswalk

• The use of crosswalks by bicyclists is becoming more common
  with the proliferation of off-road trails. Oftentimes the only
  means to cross a street is the crosswalk. Children are the
  largest group that uses crosswalks on their bicycles.
  All non-motorized users should be protected while in the
  crosswalks and automobile traffic should have to yield to them.

Elimination of the Mandatory Side Path Rule

• Since bicyclists have the same rights, duties and
  responsibilities as any other road user, there is no reason
  for them to be relegated to a side path, which studies have
  shown to be more dangerous. It is good fiscal sense to change
  this because of the liability exposure that results from
  mandatory use of facilities known to be hazardous.

Setting exceptions to the "as far right as practicable law"

• Currently it is defective because it does not permit cyclists
  to leave the right edge in many circumstances where it is
  unsafe or impractical to keep right. When there are hazards
  in the roadway such as debris, damaged roadway, or even
  broken-down vehicles, it makes sense for bicyclists to move
  away from the far right to avoid these. Not doing so
  creates an unsafe condition.
  
  When approaching a corner where there is a right-hand-turn
  lane it is very dangerous for a bicyclist to remain to the
  far right when he/she is going straight. It is also
  confusing for the motorist trying to determine what the
  bicyclist is going to do.
  
  When making a left turn, the bicyclist, just as the
  automobile driver, must gradually change lanes until in the
  proper lane to turn left safely. It is dangerous to turn
  left from the far right lane in an automobile; it is even
  more dangerous to turn left from the far right lane on
  a bicycle.

Allowing bicycle parking on sidewalks

• In order to facilitate the use of bicycles for short
  trips (i.e., bank, post office, etc.) we need the ability
  to park our bicycle on the sidewalk in front of the store
  or business. We should permit parking bicycles on sidewalks,
  with reasonable restrictions, as in the current version of
  the national Uniform Vehicle Code.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Rich Moeller, Executive Director,
League of Michigan Bicyclists

Tel: 517-334-9100