NCDOT has released a draft report of recommendations for the H232 Bicycle Safety Law Study. The draft report includes recommendations that differ substantially from the recommendations of the H232 committee. For instance, the NCDOT report recommends legislation limiting riding abreast (the committee voted unanimously against such legislation) and recommends legislation requiring bicyclists to ride on the right side of marked travel lane.

The Draft report may be read here: http://www.bikewalknc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/H-232-report.pdf

The Draft Appendices to the report may be read here: http://www.bikewalknc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Appendices_sm.pdf

NCDOT’s page that includes committee meeting minutes is here: http://www.ncdot.gov/bikeped/lawspolicies/

BikeWalk NC and Asheville on Bikes urges cyclists in NC to review the draft report and send NCDOT comments before December 29. Together we recommend that no new legislation be promoted to restrict where a bicyclist may ride within a marked travel lane or riding abreast within a single marked travel lane.

A working group of NCDOT representative and North Carolina officials have compiled the following comments to help inform the NC Legislature on HB 232

Pros
1. Recommend that drivers be able to cross double yellow line when passing a cyclist
2. Mandate a 4 foot clearance when passing a cyclist
3. No requirement for cyclists to carry ID
4. Allow right arm indication of a right turn. Left arm indicator is often misinterpreted.
5. Bicycles would be on par with motorcycles in terms of vulnerability and liability

Cons
1. Maximum of two abreast cyclists under any circumstances, exception is an approved bike race.
2. Requirement for bright clothing
3. Cyclists to ride as far to the right of the right travel lane as possible and safe (There are no current restrictions on where cyclists position themselves, only a best practice recommendation to ride in the area where the right wheel of a motor vehicle would track.)
4. A requirement to obtain local permits for groups of 30 or more
5. No headphones or any other distracting items.

Please email questions and comments to NCDOT (at bwpoole@ncdot.gov) by 5:00 p.m. on December 29, 2015. Include “H232 Comments” in the title. Comments should be addressed to “NCDOT” or to the “Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee.” Email comments will be included as an addendum to the appendix. The final report and appendix will be sent to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee by December 31, 2015.

Thanks to BikeWalk NC for this information.