discussion-l Mailing List: BikeAthens Discussion: SB468 may legally compromise riding two-abreast

[Paul S. Quick (pauquick]

It seems that State Bill 468 may be nibbling at the margins of riding two-abreast, though I’m not sure it is doing more than re-asserting the two-abreast law.  The underlined passages are underlined in the proposed bill as found on the ga.gov website, which suggests that those are the proposed revisions of current law.  But what seems murky is the second underlined section that I have bolded.  Those statements, and I definitely ain’t a lawyer, seem to provide enforcement official with discretion to decide  when “normal and reasonable movement of traffic” is impeded with unclear consequences.  I don’t know what to think of this bill, though I’m pretty sure that it stem from drivers who may be reasonably “impeded” by cyclists who do ride three or more abreast.  Is this merely emphasizing the two-abreast law that already is on the books or is it tightening restrictions? Thoughts?

 

Code Section 40-6-294 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the riding of

8 bicycles on roadways and bicycle paths, is amended by revising subsection (c) as follows:

9 "(c) Persons riding bicycles upon a two lane roadway shall not ride more than two abreast

10 except on bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of

11 bicycles, or when a special event permit issued by a local governing authority permits

12 riding more than two abreast. Persons riding bicycles or electric assisted bicycles shall not

13 impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a laned roadway, shall ride

14 within a single lane."

 

PSQ

 

 

Paul Quick, PhD

Coordinator of Faculty and TA Development

Center for Teaching and Learning

Instructional Plaza North

University of Georgia

Athens, GA 30602

706-542-0534

 

 

 

 

 

From: UGA Cycling Club Discussion List [mailto:CYCLNG-L [at] LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Adam FANCHER
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 8:20 AM
To: CYCLNG-L [at] LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: [UGACC] Two-abreast Legality

 

All,

 

Here is the corrected link for the petition:  http://www.petitionvoice.com/ga-two-abreast-senate-bill-petition.html. 

 

Thanks,

Adam

---

--- On Mon, 2/27/12, Adam FANCHER <fooga [at] UGA.EDU> wrote:

From: Adam FANCHER <fooga [at] UGA.EDU>
Subject: [UGACC] Two-abreast Legality
To: CYCLNG-L [at] LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Date: Monday, February 27, 2012, 10:49 PM

Fellow cyclists,

 

As you may have heard, cycling two-abreast has come under attack in Georgia.  A number of state politicians support the passage of SB468, which contains vague language that may compromise the legality of riding two-abreast on Georgia roads.  Here is the proposed bill:  http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/122773.pdf.  Note lines 12 - 14.  Here is an electronic petition against the bill: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/122773.pdf.  If you value riding two-abreast, please do what you can to help stop SB468.

 

Thanks,

Adam Fancher

(UGACC alumnus)