Boise City Council Meeting: As the Wheel Turns

It was Tuesday night—Biggest Loser night. Rain was pouring and I was running later than expected. I was headed to the third floor of City Hall to hear the verdict for some bicycle ordinances up for debate.

I was surprised to see such a massive turn out (who knew cycling was such a hot topic). The room was literally humming with activity. Two news crews were on hand to record the goings on and people from all walks of life were present.

I found a seat near the back where I could observe the crowd. As I was looking over the agenda I heard someone behind me ask their neighbor why there were so many people at the meeting.

"Oh, it's that bike thing. I think that it is all politically driven."

I could feel my eyes rolling back in my head. Last time I checked three Boise cyclists lost their lives due to bike/car collisions—last summer. These tragic events were the reason for the push for new ordinances.

I was disappointed to see my favorite Schwinn rider, Mayor Dave, gone from the line-up, but the meeting started off with a bang. Pledge of Allgiance, roll call, special business, consent agenda, new business . . . BAM!!

Traffic jam.

One issue slowed transit for an hour and a half. People started leaving. I was getting hungry. But all the diehard cycling enthusiasts and friends of lost riders stayed put. I was able to see Boise's "who's who" of cycling. And as much as I wanted to get my grub on I couldn't leave. I had to see what happened. "What happened?" you ask.

The new ordinances are as follows:

—Drivers are now expected to yield to cyclists at intersections.

—Drivers need to leave at least three feet of distance between themselves and bikes. If they don't have three feet to get around the bike they need to wait until there is the correct amount of clearance.

—Motorists are not to cut bicycles off when turning.

—Cyclists are legally required to give an audible warning before passing someone on the sidewalk.

—Cyclists are to dismount in crowded pedestrian areas.

—Cyclists cannot ride recklessly (think swerving onto sidewalks and then jumping into roadways).

—Harassment and intimidation of cyclists is prohibited, as well as, throwing objects at bikes and attempting to disrupt their path.

Violation of these ordinances carries a hefty $1.000 fine and a max penalty of six months in jail. Oh, and did I mention they are misdemeanors?

Wow.

The bike portion of the meeting wrapped up around 10:30 p.m. It felt pretty good to see positive change in the making, but really it will be up to all of us, drivers and cyclists alike, to make the roads a safer place. So, when taking off those Greenbelt training wheels and heading out on the mean streets of B-Town, arm yourself with the rules of the road. 

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I was going to save the following link for a Friday Connection, but at the council meeting I saw two guys wearing shirts with this logo on them. About a month or so ago I picked up this sticker up at George's Cycles and have been waiting for the website to go live. I suggest saving it to your favorites and checking back in a few weeks.

http://looksavealife.com/