As evidenced by the "safety" question in last week's Wisconsin State Journal, we continue to have an unmet need to educate the public (and newspaper columnists) about what is legal and what is safe use of the roads. The columnist, DJ Slater, clearly is unqualified to be answering these type of questions since he failed to interpret the Wisconsin statutes correctly. But what really bothers me is the subtle editorial propaganda here. The column pretends to be about safety, yet the leading question and the so-called "answer" both imply that bicycles are the problem. The proper, safe and legal method for automobile drivers to pass bicyclists wasn't even mentioned. *sigh*
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/wonder/index.php?ntid=97177&ntpid=1 FRI., SEP 1, 2006 - 11:53 AM Safe & Sound: Do cyclists have to ride single file on roads? Q: I had always been told that cyclists have to be single file on roads. Has that changed? A: According to Wisconsin's rules of the road, it is legal to ride side by side on any road with at least two lanes in each direction. As long as the two cyclists remain in a single lane, they are following Wisconsin law, said Capt. Ruth Ferg of State Patrol. On a road with only one lane in each direction, cyclists are expected to ride as close to the edge or curb as practical. A minimum distance of three feet should be used by cyclists when passing a moving or parked car. Disregarding these rules can land someone a $135.60 fine each time. Cyclists always can ride in large numbers side-by-side on any path, trail or lane designed exclusively for bicycle use. Common sense is the best rule of thumb. - DJ Slater Have a concern? Look for Safe & Sound on Fridays in the Local section. Send questions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 608-252- 6192; Just Ask Us, P.O. Box 8058, Madison, WI 53708. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
