Jim Ritter, left, and John Johnson wait for traffic to clear as they cross Eighth Street on the TART trail. Johnson handcycles about 20 to 28 miles a day and Ritter uses his bike to get around town.
New bicycle laws go into effect
Bikers can ride two abreast on roads and paths
TRAVERSE CITY — Jean Peters knows cyclists come to northern Michigan to ride the scenic roads, and she said a new state law will help them bike more safely.
Peters, a member of the Cherry Capital Cycling Club, was part of a group that helped draft the final version of Senate Bill 1224. The law, introduced by state Sen. Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, took effect last month and updates language referencing bicycling in the state's vehicle code.
The original draft of the bill would have required Michigan cyclists to only ride single file on all roads and bike paths. But cyclists soon urged legislators to compare Michigan's bicycle laws with national standards and make improvements.
"There was a lot of disgruntled talk among cyclists about the first version of the law," Peters said. "The bottom line is educating people on what it's like to ride a bike."
The approved bill maintained the existing standard that allows bicycles to ride on the road two abreast. Changes include granting exceptions to the previous law's requirement that bicyclists ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of roadway. The exceptions apply when passing another bicycle, turning left, avoiding obstacles in the lane, going straight when the right lane is a turn lane, and riding on a one-way street where bicycles can ride on either side of the road.
The new law also states that cyclists lawfully riding on sidewalks or crosswalks have the same rights as pedestrians — requiring motorists to yield for bikers.
McManus said she introduced the first version in response to a constituent's concern about the safety of bicycles on roadways, and called the end result a compromise.
"I consider this kind of a baby step," she said.
Missy Luyk, trail program specialist with Traverse Area Recreation Trails Inc., called the changes an opportunity to educate the community about the rules of safe biking. The organization offers annual bicycle commuting classes.