<div>The Boise City Council adopted new code in 2010 addressing bicycle safety that, as the article at the website below states, "puts teeth" into the code. And the Idaho legislature is considering changes to the Idaho bicycle code. But I don't think the new Boise code goes far enough. The code should be worded strongly to favor the safety of all using human powered transportation, even if this slows traffic and puts a large burden of legal responsibility on the drivers of motor vehicles if they strike someone engaged in human powered transportation, on sidewalks or in marked crosswalks. </div>
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<div>The new Boise code has a three feet rule that requires motor vehicles to pass with at least three feet of clearance from bicycles, and adds new code regarding motor vehicles turning left or right into the path of bicycles. It also requires bicyclists to behave more carefully in several ways.</div>
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<div>Info on the new Boise traffic code regarding bicycles:</div>
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<div><a href="http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/boise-council-puts-teeth-in-bike-passing-law/Content?oid=1437778" target="_blank">http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/boise-council-puts-teeth-in-bike-passing-law/Content?oid=1437778</a></div>
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<p>I was struck in Moscow recently by a motor vehicle (car) heading west turning left into a drive-in on the sidewalk, when I was on this sidewalk riding east, under a lit streetlight, when the motor vehicle's lights passed directly over me as the vehicle turned, when I had a large front reflector and back blinking light on visible to the sides (which is the direction the driver was facing my bike as he turned into the sidewalk drive-in), and a coat with bright yellow markings. I know for a fact I was clearly visible to the driver, assuming they were attentive and had good eyesight; yet with no front light on, I was not following Idaho code, given that, though there was still some daylight left, it was past sunset. I had made an assumption that motor vehicles are required to yield to all those using sidewalks; and unless i misunderstand the code, no motor vehicles are allowed on sidewalks except to pass through a sidewalk at drive-ins. Also, a front light and back reflector (the two requirements for bicycles) may not prevent a side impact collision. The code should read that bicycles have a light that shines to both sides, as well as a front light and back facing reflector. There are lights that illuminate to the sides as well as the direction they are aimed, which is the sort of light I had on when I was hit, though it was in the back. The new Boise city code might be applicable to the situation I faced on the sidewalk where I was recently struck, but the law is a tricky beast... </p>
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<p>Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett</p></div>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 5:35 PM, Art Deco <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:deco@moscow.com" target="_blank">deco@moscow.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
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<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; PADDING-TOP: 9pt"><span style="TEXT-TRANSFORM: uppercase; FONT-FAMILY: Courier New; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">49-704.Crossing at other than crosswalks. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Courier New; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(1) Every pedestrian crossing a highway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk <font color="#ff0000" size="5"><strong>or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection</strong></font> shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the highway.</span></div>
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<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4"><b>From:</b> <a title="skalasz@ci.moscow.id.us" href="mailto:skalasz@ci.moscow.id.us" target="_blank">Stephanie Kalasz</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title="vision2020@moscow.com" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com" target="_blank">v2020</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, March 02, 2010 3:10 PM</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> [Vision2020] MPD Press Release</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="5" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt">MOSCOW POLICE DEPARTMENT</span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">118 East 4th Street</span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Moscow</span></font>, Idaho 83843</p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Tel: 208-882-COPS Fax: 208-882-4020</span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; BACKGROUND: black" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><br></span></font><b><font color="white" size="6"><span style="COLOR: white; FONT-SIZE: 24pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">PRESS RELEASE</span></font></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As the weather improves, more people are using bicycles. In an effort to increase public awareness and reduce the number of vehicle and bicycle collisions, M.P.D. Officers will be focusing their efforts on specific traffic codes. The enforcement of the following codes is intended to improve the safety of Moscow’s roadways:</span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">-Idaho Code: 49-715, 49-717</span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bicyclists must follow most of the same rules assigned to vehicles when on the roadway. When on the roadway, including bike lanes, bicyclists may not ride against traffic. </span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">-Idaho Code: 49-723</span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bicyclists must use a headlight at night, visible 500 feet to the front. The light may be attached to rider or bicycle. The bicycle must also be equipped with a reflector clearly visible to the rear. Headlights are required for bicycles, even on the sidewalk. </span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">-Idaho Code: 49-702 </span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Pedestrians must use due caution when crossing roadways. Pedestrians must make sure to give vehicles adequate time and distance to stop when stepping into the crosswalk and into traffic.</span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> -Idaho Code: 49-702</span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Vehicles: “the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping, if need be, to yield to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk.” </span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Regardless of your mode of transportation, please make a conscious effort to look out for bicycles, vehicles, and pedestrians. The Moscow Police Department’s primary goal is not to cite violators; it is to have fewer traffic collisions. </span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Please be safe,</span></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">DANIEL L. WEAVER Prepared by: </span></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> Chief of Police Officer Bruce Lovell</span></font></p>
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