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  Laying Down the Law
about Bicycles
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PRESS RELEASE
PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
THURSDAY JULY 8, 1999 11 AM
Charlottesville City Hall, Community Development
Conference Room (enter E. Market St.)
Photo/Video Op: After meeting, on E. Market St.
near WVIR-29 Studio
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The release of an important Public Memorandum to all
area citizens from ALL local police
Subject: Clarification of currently existing traffic
laws for bicyclists and motorists.
From: Chief John Miller, Albemarle County Police
Chief J.W. Rittenhouse, Charlottesville Police
Chief Michael Sheffield, Univ. of Va. Police
Sheriff T.W. Hawkins, Albemarle County Sheriff
CHABA (Charlottesville Area Bicycling
Association)
Attending: Chief John Miller, Albemarle County Police
Chief J.W. Rittenhouse, Charlottesville Police
Chief Michael Sheffield, Univ. of Va. Police
Sheriff Terry Hawkins, Albemarle County Sheriff
Lauren Cooper, CHABA
Alexis Ziegler, CHABA
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PUBLIC MEMO
From: Chief John Miller, Albemarle County Police,
Chief J.W.Rittenhouse, Charlottesville Police,
Chief Michael Sheffield,Univ. of Va. Police,
Sheriff Terry Hawkins, Albemarle County Sheriff
Currently existing traffic laws for bicyclists and motorists.
1) Bicyclists Can Lawfully Take A Full Lane Whenever
Necessary. The law says all drivers need a full lane to
operate safely.
Cyclists also get a full traffic lane to themselves
whenever reasonably necessary to operate safely.
Virginia State Law says so.
.
(Va. Motor Vehicle Code 46.2-800, 46.2-905)
Every person riding a bicycle.. shall have all of the rights
applicable to the driver of a vehicle...
Any person operating a bicycle shall ride as close as
practicable to the right...
except !!
when passing,. .. turning,... to avoid conditions not
limited to fixed or moving objects, moving or parked
vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards,
or
substandard width lanes too narrow for a bicycle and another
vehicle to pass safely side by side within the lane.
______________________________.
Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists will merge and take the full
lane when approaching narrow lanes or any possible
hazard. This rarely slows motorists more than 20-30
seconds.
Traffic law never requires cyclists to "squeeze" over.
It is unlawful for motorists to "squeeze" past,
threaten or endanger cyclists in any way. "Squeezing"
Causes Accidents.
Share the lane only if there's safe space.
Wait Your Turn.
2) Bicyclists Must Obey Lawful, Vehicular Rules For Their
Own Safety.
As a group, Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists have very few
accidents with motorists - 95%! fewer than others.
Lawful, Vehicular Cyclists operate by the same lawful,
predictable, vehicular rules of the road as motorists.
"The rules of the road follow easily understood
principles and provide equal protection for all.
Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated
as lawful drivers of vehicles. Nobody can operate
safely without the ability to obey these principles."
(John Forester, Effective Cycling)
Equal rights means equal punishments for reckless
cyclists. Sidewalks have pedestrian rules, public roads
have vehicular rules. All users must obey appropriate
rules.
3) Bicyclists Do Have Equal Rights
Public roads have been shared by everyone for
thousands of years. In the US, road paving was begun for
bicyclists back when cars were still experimental. Later,
traffic laws and licenses were created to prevent
motorists from endangering other road users.
Attempts to ban cyclists from public roads have never
been upheld. Public roads are shared, public facilities.
The Virginia State DMV says so.
(Va. State Drivers Manual)
"Look for bicycles on all public roads... Bicycles are
considered vehicles and have the same rights-of-way...
The rider will use the entire lane as traffic situations and
road conditions change."
"In rural areas (Garth, Reservoir Rd., Rt. 20, 53) watch for
curves, hills, bicyclists, and other slow-moving vehicles.
By law, you must drive slower if these conditions make the
posted speed unsafe. Adjust your speed for hills, curves ...
anywhere that visibility may be limited. Driving becomes
hazardous when visibility is reduced. Reducing your speed
should be your first response to decreased visibility.
If you cannot see more than 100 ft. ahead, you cannot drive
safely at any speed.
In other words, Slow Down. It is your responsibility to adjust
your driving to assure everyone's safety."
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Submitted
from Official Documents
By
Lauren
Cooper
2000 Version also On Line
Editors Note:
We've published this official Public Memo from the Charlottesville Area Law Enforcement
Agencies to show that Bicycles are Legal Road Vehicles
and Police Departments everywhere are sworn to uphold the law for all citizens.
This is not "just" for one county, or one state.
This is the Law in ALL of North America.
USA CANADA
&
MEXICO.
Not to mention virtually all of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Most of South America,
South East Asia, India, and almost all other places on Planet Earth.
If it's "News" to You, we can only say:
Welcome to the Road!
Mind that Stop sign, signal your turns, yield to pedestrians, and enjoy yourself.
These roads are your roads, but you have to share.
The rules are your rules too.
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