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Villaraigosa Unveils Poster: Drivers, Give Cyclists 3 Feet!
Just a week out from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's bicycle summit and he's already taking action. Today he unveiled the first of many to come simple bus shelter posters that are aimed at educating drivers to give cyclists three feet when passing. Such a concept is law in other states like Arizona, Arkansas and Connecticut and Councilmember Bill Rosendahl wants L.A. urge California politicians to make happen here.
Today's "Give me 3″ bicycle safety campaign began today at a bus shelter outside City Hall at 1st and Main. "Many drivers seem to treat bicyclists more like street furniture than the legally-equal moving vehicles that they are," states the city's LADOT bicycle blog. "Drivers often crowd bicyclists from behind, 'squeeze' through the lane to pass (rather than appropriately merge to the left), and cut in front of bicyclists far more closely and aggressively than they would with another driver."
At last week's summit, Villaraigosa was criticized for focusing on wanting to bring a mandatory bicycle helmet law to California. Currently, adults 18 and older do not have to wear helmets. Instead, cyclists expressed support for the three-foot campaign. Looks like Villaraigosa listened and learned quickly on this one.
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