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Will new biking law help?

So Gov. Doyle has signed Senate Bill 29, designed to protect bicyclists from careless motorists. The bill eliminates the requirement that bikers and those operating electric personal assistive mobility devices allow 3 feet of space when passing parked vehicles. It also fines vehicle operators--$20 to $40 for a first offense--who carelessly open doors and create collisions with bicyclists.

Hmm. Glad the Legislature and governor are protecting us. As a bicyclist, I feel better already. I understand that what prompted this legislation was an accident in which a Madison woman was seriously injured after being hit by a car door after bicycling to work. She was ticketed while in the emergency room.

I'm sure that, during this Bike to Work Week, most bicyclists and related clubs are applauding this measure. And sure, publicity about the new law might have shed greater light on this problem and enlightened a few more otherwise careless drivers.

But as a bicyclist, I'll still try to stay 3 feet away from parked cars, thank you very much. Responsible drivers will look in their rear-view mirrors before opening their doors into traffic just to minimize the risk of damage to their doors and injury or even death to passing bicyclists. Irresponsible ones aren't likely to think, "Oh, I better not open my door into this passing bicyclist or Doyle is going to fine me."

Greg Peck