Proposed Oklahoma City 3 Foot Law Targets Bicyclists

On Jan 13 the proposed ordinance change was revised to clarify the intent of the 3 foot separation by bicyclists to be required when passing a vehicle. This is a minor change which attempts to equalize responsibility between two very unequal vehicles by weight and power. In a collision the bicyclist always looses. Existing ordinances place the burden of care and responsibility on the larger, heavier, more powerful and very much more destructive motor vehicle. Changing them is a fatal mistake. I'm still opposed as introduced and revised.

Without a doubt OKC in recent years has become a better place to use a bicycle for transportation (school, work, errands, etc) but this proposed ordinace would be a step backwards in promoting a healthy life style while improving motor vehicle congestion. I suggest Mayor Cornett and City Council members review the book BIKENOMICS for a quick study on the overall benefits of bicycling.

I feel the wording of some sections in the proposed changes to the city ordinance put me in danger as a cyclist. I also feel the changes could mean that insurance companies could avoid covering costs resulting from an accident with a motor vehicle.

I disagree with the proposed change to the meaning of the three-foot minimum vehicle-distance requirement and whose responsibility it is to maintain it [Oklahoma City proposed code, Tuesday, January 13, City Council meeting]. If an automobile drives beside a bicycle without leaving three feet [as per state law], as I understand it this would be in compliance with the new city code but NOT the state law. The state law places the responsibility where [I believe] it should be: on the motor vehicle driver. The city code [as proposed] seems to state that the [new] responsibility rests with the bicyclist. At best, this presents unnecessary confusion because of the differing state and municipal assignment of responsibility. Also, the bicyclist, if passed by an automobile, runs into increased danger because of the "safe" avoidance of road hazards due to debris which accumulates near the curb or edge of the road; these hazards tend not to approach the same level of importance [from the automobile driver's point of view] that are very real to a safe-riding bicyclist [storm drains, glass, etc.]. In addition, the bicyclist would be unable to maintain the three-foot distance if approached from the rear by a faster automobile. Clearly a distance of less than three-feet would be dangerous, but only the higher-powered automobile's driver could prevent it. The appropriate [I believe] place for the bicyclist is [per state law] "safely" in the right-third of the right-most lane that serves his destination [consistently-applied: slower traffic should "stay to the right"]. Bicycle Traffic Safety Course [More training needed; free instruction available].

Please help to direct our city to being more bicycle friendly instead of imposing obstacles. Let's move Oklahoma forward not backwards.

We need better education for motorists and better enforcement of existing laws.

We don't need more rules just poeple following what we already have.

please keep cyclists safe. We already have enough uncompassionate cars to deal with, don't give them the laws to make matters worse.

Most of my riding is inside the OKC city limits and this proposed wording frightens me.

Consult with cycling clubs and advocates.

lets make OK bike and Ped safe!

Responsibility to maintain 3' between bicycles and motor vehicles should be squarely on the motor vehicle drivers. If a mistake is made the cyclist will end up losing in this confrontation. I'm living proof of it and still recovering over 4 months later.

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There multiple problems with this ordinance.

the rule needs to apply to motorists not bicycleist.

Ths 3-foot rule onus needs to be on motorists, not cyclists! Come on OKC! Do the right and bicycle friendly thing.

At this time, with the current 3 foot law, to many motorists come to close to me when I am out riding my bicycle. I don't see, how this new proposal will help any cyclist, that almost gets side swiped by people in cars!

Please consider modifying the ordinance to improve the safety of the cyclists.

This will not improve safety for cyclist not only for Oklahomans but also visitors to our state.

The proposed law will not improve bicycle safety.