April 18, 2013

LAWT News Service

 

Assembly Member Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) announced a new bill designed to increase safety for cyclists on California’s roads, making cities more livable and environmentally friendly.

AB 1371, known as the Three Feet for Safety Act, establishes a minimum three-foot barrier for automobiles passing bicycles on California streets.

“Bicycles have as much right as anyone to use the public streets,” Bradford said. “Everyone needs to share the road, and cyclists deserve legal protection to ensure their safety.”

Some recent high profile traffic accidents involving bicycles have sparked calls for increased protections for cyclists. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa broke his elbow in 2010 in a traffic accident while riding his bike.

Mayor Villaraigosa is joining Assembly Member Bradford next Sunday, April 21st, at CicLAvia, the 15-mile closed-streets bicycle event.

“I am thrilled to join Mayor Villaraigosa at CicLAvia which will, for the first time, come to the 62nd District by way of Venice,” Bradford said. “This is a great event to raise awareness of cyclists’ right to ride safely on our city streets, and this bill will do the same.”

Bradford will join the Mayor at a 9:30am kick-off press conference on Olvera Street on April 21st before riding off towards Venice.

AB 1371 comes before the Transportation Committee April 22nd. Supporters can sign onto a petition at http://signon.org/sign/three-feet-please, and show their support by using the hashtag #3feet4safety, or calling members of the Committee (http://atrn.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff) to urge their approval.

Assembly Member Steven Bradford represents the 62nd Assembly District, comprised of the cities of Hawthorne, Lawndale, Inglewood, and El Segundo, and the communities of North Gardena, Westchester, Venice, and Del Rey, and parts of Westmont and Park Mesa Heights.

Category: Business