Safe Passing Law

Some in the cycling community think the proposed Texas safe passing law is wonderful. Others take the opposite view. Myself, I think it's a lot of fluff that makes little difference either way. Let’s put it in perspective with a little quiz about Texas laws as they apply to bicycles. You’ll see why I think that, whether one likes the Safe Passing Law or not, there are bigger issues in Texas cycling law that need to be addressed. Remember, answers are per Texas Law, not what is safe, unsafe, or even sensible.

Q1 – Cyclists are illegal on Texas freeways – T or F?
Q2 – Cyclists stay out of the right-turn-only lane if going straight – T or F?
Q3 – A cyclist can “take the lane” even if there’s a bike lane – T or F?
Q4 – People have a right to ride bikes on the road in Texas – T or F?
Q5 – People have a right to ride electric bikes on the road in Texas – T or F?
Q6 – Motorists may cross the double yellow to pass a slow cyclist – T or F?
Q7 – At night, a red blinky light keeps you legal – T or F?

Answers in a post tomorrow - unless I get horribly mangled by the evil motoring conspiracy today, or get smooshed by a black helicopter or…

Well, campers, for extra credit, how many prosecutions were there, nationwide, in 2008, for violations of three (or more) foot passing laws? You can't count those initiated solely at the insistence of the involved cyclist or pedestrian. Hint - you won't need the fingers from more than one hand to count them...