3 Foot Passing Bill Introduced in Ohio Senate

Sep 23rd, 2009 | By Jeff Stephens | Edited by QCB

Columbus, Ohio — Senators Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Mark Wagoner
(R-Ottawa Hills) announced the introduction of a biking safety
bill yesterday on the west lawn of the
Statehouse. The legislation will define a safe lateral passing
distance of three feet when a motor vehicle passes a bicycle or other
non-motorized vehicle. The Ohio Bicycle Federation President, Chuck
Smith, spoke in support of the legislation.

“Cyclists often do not feel safe riding in their neighborhoods or to
work because of unsafe distances between cars. We must make Ohio
streets safer for our over one million cyclists,” said Senator Fedor.

Senator Fedor, joined by Senator Wagoner for part of the journey,
completed her 3rd Annual Bike to the Capitol tour during Bike to Work
Week. The ride reinforced the need for bike-friendly communities and
safer roads for those who use bicycling as an alternative mode of
transportation. The tour took Senator Fedor from Toledo to Columbus
over a 3-day period on a “Campaign for Healthy Kids and Communities”.
The event was geared toward raising awareness about quality physical
and health education standards in schools, alternative means of
transportation and bicycle-friendly communities.

See www.considerbiking.org for more information.