from Alliance for Biking and Walking by Camie Rodan<\/p>\n
This fall, Maryland cyclists can feel more confident when sharing the road with vehicles, thanks to a revision to the Maryland State Driver\u2019s Manual that specifically addresses sharing the road with bicycles.<\/p>\n
\nIn recent months, a diverse coalition of regional groups, including Alliance members Bike Maryland<\/a> and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association<\/a> worked closely with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and State Highway Administration to improve driver\u2019s education and new driver\u2019s licensing examination questions. <\/p>\n \nQuestions about the effectiveness of the previous manual arose at an early Bike Maryland legislative task force meeting, after misstatements by the MVA printed in the paper insisted that the new 3-foot passing law did not negate the duty of cyclists to move out of the way of cars. This set advocates into action, prompting them to provide MVA with comments and suggestions on how to revise the current manual to mention how bicyclists and cars can safely share the roads. <\/p>\n \nAs noted in the new Sharing the Road section<\/a>, the manual now outlines that cyclists can lawfully ride in a travel lane. The new language gives cars suggestions on how to approach cyclists, rather than simply pass safely. Fines are now mentioned for motorists that violate the newly imposed rules, too. <\/p>\n \nWhile advocates are still waiting for promised improvements to the Maryland Driver\u2019s test \u2014 which will help to further progress bicycle safety \u2014 this work has clearly strengthened the relationships between bicycle advocates and the Highway Safety Office and the MVA. <\/p>\n \nRead the full text of the Sharing the Road section here<\/a> and follow Bike Maryland\u2019s 2011 Legislative Agenda<\/a> for more updates.<\/p>\n [B’ Spoke: Not to detract from above but for those that know me see: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/note.php?note_id=10150291797288629<\/a>]oldId.20110828002443265<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" from Alliance for Biking and Walking by Camie Rodan This fall, Maryland cyclists can feel more confident when sharing the road with vehicles, thanks to a revision to the Maryland State Driver\u2019s Manual that specifically addresses sharing the road with bicycles. In recent months, a diverse coalition of regional groups, including Alliance members Bike Maryland … <\/p>\n
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\nhttps:\/\/www.peoplepoweredmovement.org\/site\/index.php\/site\/blog\/md_advocates_win_bike-friendly_revision_to_the_maryland_state_drivers_manua\/<\/a><\/p>\n