Once every couple of months, Greg Paulson gets brushed by a passing car while riding his bicycle in Lancaster city.
Often, he’ll catch the driver at the next traffic light and tell them. “They’ll say ‘no, I didn’t,’ ” recounts Paulson, a regular cyclist for 55 years, “and I’ll show them the marks on their car.”
Most people, Paulson has found, are genuinely surprised and apologetic that they have passed him close enough to brush dirt onto his clothing.
“Generally, I think people don’t know,” said Paulson, an attorney and city resident. “And, I think there are people who are afraid of straying over the yellow line.”
Beginning Monday, a new state law establishes a four-foot “cushion of safety” around bicyclists, and also clarifies that motorists can cross the yellow center line when moving to the left to pass a bicycle rider, when opposing traffic allows.
Pennsylvania became the 19th state in the nation to have a “safe passing” law when the measure was signed by Gov. Tom Corbett on Feb. 2. It went into effect after 60 days.
The law also makes it illegal for motorists to pass a bicyclist only to make a right turn. The move, called a “right hook” by cyclists, often requires riders to hit their brakes to keep from running into the turning vehicle.
Drivers attempting to turn left must also yield the right of way to oncoming bicycle riders, the law stipulates.
Violation of the new law, an amendment to Title 75 of the state vehicle code, is a summary offense which carries a fine of $25 and court costs.
The law also makes provisions for cyclists. It calls on bike riders to make a reasonable effort to avoid impeding the normal flow of traffic. But, it also clarifies that a bicycle rider is not required to ride on the shoulder or even at the right edge of the road. They can ride in the travel lane to avoid hazards such as grates and potholes and to maintain a safe distance from stopped or parked cars.
Under state motor vehicle law, bicycles are considered vehicles. As such, riders should obey traffic signs and signals. PennDOT officials also recommend that bicyclists ride predictably and signal their intentions before proceeding so that motorists have a chance to react.
Paulson is a member of the Coalition for a Bicycle Friendly Lancaster which aims to encourage cycling in the city. He believes the importance of the new law is that is clearly states that bicyclists are entitled to be on roadways.
“I think a lot of people just don’t realize that cyclists have a right to the road, and this law makes it clear. It gives them a four-foot right of way,” he said.
Mike Ridgeway, a long-time local bicycling advocate who founded the Dream Ride Projects bicycle charity rides, said the measure should not impact what safe drivers are already doing.
“You’ve got to do something with some common sense. You’ve got to give people some room to ride,” Ridgeway said of the four-foot passing provision.
Yet, he said the law will only help cyclists if drivers know about it.
He questioned what the state will do to publicize the new law.
A press release sent to the media last week may be the extent of the state publicity campaign, said Steve Chizmar, a spokesman for the state Transportation Department.
Unlike the state texting law that took effect last month, PennDOT will not post messages about the new passing law on electronic message boards. Those message boards are primarily on interstates, where bicyclists are not allowed, Chizmar said.
He was not aware if there are plans to add a question about passing a bicyclist to the state’s driver license test.
To alert police to the changes to the law, Chizmar said notices would be sent through the normal channels to the State Police and the state Chiefs of Police Association.
Bill Hoffman, advocacy director of the more than 500-member Lancaster Bicycle Club, said he did not believe the new law will make much difference.
Existing laws already contained provisions requiring vehicles to pass at a safe distance and yield the right of way and prohibiting unsafe turns, he noted.
“Cyclists have always had the right to use the road. A bicycle has always been a considered a vehicle for as long as I remember,” said Hoffman.
The one difference he noted was the provision in the law that specifically permits motorists to cross the center line to pass, even in a no-passing zone.
“This is actually a benefit to the motorist, because now it will be clearer,” he said.