Cyclist in Arlington Hit, Killed: A case for a 3' Passing Law

Pioneer Parkway in Arlington.

Yet another cyclist was hit and killed while riding in Arlington yesterday. The Police Department says that a woman in her 40s or 50s was struck while riding down the shoulder of Pioneer Parkway, she weaved out and was hit from behind by a pickup truck. The driver stopped to render aid while the Ambulance was called.




Now I don't want to go around pointing fingers. No one thinks this was a malicious act towards cyclists or a case of someone driving - or riding - drunk. No, what we need to think about is what we can do to avoid this sort of thing in the future.

I remember back to when I first took Driver's Ed class and the instructor had this to say about cyclists: Be mindful that they swerve.

A bicycle has smaller tires than a motor vehicle and there is often debris in the road that will affect a bike more severely than a car. Glass, thorns, sticks, roadkill, etc, etc, etc. Cyclists must avoid all this so they can safely get to wherever it is they are going.

Simply by instating a 3' Passing Law (like these here) you are helping to insure that motorists give enough space for cyclists. No bike lane needed.




3 feet please! Let's say it till we get it! Here is what Bike Texas is doing: 

Why is it important to protect all vulnerable road users?

Sadly, approximately 50 cyclists, 400 pedestrians and 500 motorcyclists are killed every year in Texas. Many of those fatalities could be prevented if this law were enacted.  Although safety and basic humanity are key reasons for enacting the Safe Passing Bill in Texas, there are economic reasons as well.  Other types of transport need to be promoted in Texas as the state grows in population. Much of the population will not feel safe enough to consider alternative transportation if they do not feel safe.

3' in Texas

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