DC Faces Bicycle Safety Crisis
Facing soaring rates of bicycle and pedestrian deaths, the DC Council is considing new legislation called the Bicycle and Pedestrian Act of 2015. Sounds good, but will it help?
The most controversial feature is a new rule to allow cyclists to yield instead of stopping at red lights. Many cyclists already do yield – currently illegal. The new approach would recognize a practice already widely in use. This may be more productive than simply outlawing an action which many experienced cyclists believe can be accomplished safely.
The change also reflects a philosophical shift towards the realization that bikes and cars are different, and it’s alright to have different rules for each.
The District’s bicycle safety crisis is has spawned the Bicycle and Pedestrian Act of 2015 – Will it work? Stay tuned.