C.I.C.L.E. :: » Lawmakers push bill to make it driver’s fault if bicyclist runs into car door

Feb 11 '09 - 184 W - Vote Good + 5 :: Bad - 8 Lawmakers push bill to make it driver’s fault if bicyclist runs into car door

Some state lawmakers say it should be a car driver’s fault if he or she opens a door, and a bicycle runs into it.

Published February 11, 2009 by New Richmond News

Right now, it’s the bicyclist’s responsibility to steer clear of car doors that might open.

But Madison’s city attorney refused to pursue that kind of a charge last summer, when Linda Willsey broke her back when her bicycle hit the door of a parked car that had just opened.

The attorney dropped a $10 ticket for breaking a state law that requires bicyclists to ride at least 3-feet from parked or standing motor vehicles.

State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, and other legislators are pushing a bill to drop the 3-foot requirement and penalize motorists who don’t watch for cyclists after they park.

City Council members in Madison are pursuing a similar ordinance.

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Good to hear that people are pushing for change in favor of bicyclists. I had always assumed (incorrectly, I guess) that it was the drivers fault in this situation. Does anyone know the California law on this? Good reminder to stay out of the door zone.

Rob - February 12 '09 - 09:03

If a person who has justed parked their car opened their door in front of a moving truck, is it the fault of the truck driver for driving by at that point or the person who didn’t look in their mirror before opening the door?

Paul Lopez Jr - February 12 '09 - 09:32

This topic covered in California Vehicle Code 22517. ” No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and can be done without interfering with the movement of such traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.”\n

Harv - February 16 '09 - 08:39


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