Some of the grunt work that your League is doing for you.
Friends,
Riley Geary (representing LAB) and I (representing the Ohio Bicycle Federation) participated in the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances (NCUTLO) meeting Tuesday in Arlington, Virginia, which made five bicycle-related changes in the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC).
During the meeting, we approved all five changes recommended by the NCUTLO Task Force on UVC Revisions Regarding Bicycle and Pedestrian Issue, on which we both served.
One change exempted bicyclists from the UVC Section 11-809 ban on racing and any other "test of physical endurance." During the meeting, I mentioned that this ban, if adopted by state legislatures, could prohibit the hundreds of bike tours which take place each year.
NCULO tabled my recommendation last year which would have exempted all non-motorists from the racing ban. This year, they accepted the narrower exemption of bicyclists.
The other four Bike/Ped Task Force recommendations approved by NCUTLO for publication in the next edition of the UVC included:
1. Permitting the use of both standard and flashing LED lights in Section 12-705.
2. Citing the new 12-705 in Section 12-221(c).
3. Changing the bicycle braking distance requirement from 25 feet to 15 feet at 10 miles per hour. This makes the UVC conform to federal regulations which manufacturers are already complying with.
4. Adding the words "The intent of this subsection is to facilitate the overtaking of slowly moving vehicles by faster moving vehicles" to UVC Section 11-301, which requires slower moving vehicles to be "as close as practicable" to the right-hand curb.
John Forester also participated on our Task Force. While he was unable to attend Tuesday's meeting, he was responsible for initiating the last three recommendations.
LAB Representative Riley Geary was responsible for recommending the UVC changes permitting the LED flashing and solid lights. Riley knocked their socks off at the NCUTLO meeting by demonstrating a new high-intensity LED flasher with several different modes.
I proposed during the meeting that our Task Force on UVC Revisions Regarding Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues continue its work, as there are many outstanding issues to discuss, and many ways in which the UVC can be made more bicycle friendly. NCUTLO officials seemed agreeable to this continuation of our committee.
I will keep you informed as events develop.
Chuck Smith
Chair, Ohio Bicycle Federation
LAB Life Member
chksmith@juno.com