Thursday, March 28, 2024

Siskiyou Velo

Southern Oregon's Premier Cycling Club

Oregon Legislature To Consider Bill to Make Bicycling Safer

by Gary Shaff on Mar, 23 2019

A Bend cyclists was struck at an intersection and killed by a turning FedEx driver on November 21, 2017. A Deschutes Circuit Court Judge, in the case, ruled that the FedEx driver was not guilty of the violation of failing to yield to a rider in a bicycle lane. The Judge, in reaching his decision, concluded that the bike lane, unlike motor vehicle lanes, did not extend into and through the intersection (read more HERE).

The OREGON legislature is considering a bill, HB 2682, which explicitly provides that bike lanes extend through intersections. You can add your voice to the growing chorus of bicyclists and citizens that are emailing the legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation asking that they approve HB 2682. The hearing is March 27 at 5:00 pm. Comments should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance. Be sure to include “HB 2682” in the subject line.

The Club Board has written in support of HB 2682 and also identified a variety of other changes to Oregon bicycle law that would make it safer to bicycle. You can read that testimony HERE.

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