Another Cyclist Killed on New Jersey's Roads
Just last week, NJBC sent a letter to the editor of the Bergen Record, asking "Where is Camille's Law?", noting that while New York State is moving well along the path of creating a three-foot safe passing law, called "Merrill's Law", New Jersey's version of the same legislation is stuck in committee. A copy of the letter is reprinted below.
Now, it has happened again! Another cyclist has been killed, this time in Gloucester County. Robert Schwinn, of Vineland, was struck down on a wide shoulder of Route 555 on July 1 at 7:23 AM, in the vicinity of Weymouth Road. Mr. Schwinn was wearing a helmet at reflective vest at time he was overtaken from behind, struck, and killed, according to authorities.
We cannot wait any longer! Cyclists, pedestrians, unprotected users of our roads are being struck by distracted, negligent or worse vehicle drivers, with no real consequences to those drivers. Yet the consequences - the deaths and horrific injuries - to those struck are real enough. It is ironic that these most recent cycling deaths are being noted in blogs and publications as far afield as Los Angeles but are not making as much news right here in New Jersey. And are not even on the radar of our legislature.
NJBC is not waiting any longer! And we need your help as we begin a campaign to get New Jersey's 3 Foot Safe Passing Law out of committee, passed by both houses and signed by Governor Christie. Not someday, but in the next legislative session.
Where is Camille's Law?
The following letter to the editor was sent to the Bergen Record on June 30, 2010:
The New York state Senate and Assembly have passed, and sent to the Governor for signature, a bill requiring motorists to pass cyclists at a safe distance. The law, to be called Merrill’s law, is named in honor of Hartsdale, NY resident Merrill Cassell,
who was killed in November, 2009 after being sideswiped by a bus.
The question we in New Jersey are asking is, “Where is Camille’s law?” (Camille Savoy – killed cycling on Route 9 in December, 2008). Or, “Where is Bent’s law?” (Bent Rasmussen – killed cycling on a road in Sparta, NJ in February, 2008.)
Following Mr. Rasmussen’s death, State Senators Steven Oroho (R-Sussex) and Brian Stack (D-Hudson) introduced a three-foot safe passing bill into the NJ Senate. While a companion bill was passed by the NJ Assembly, the senate version has languished in committee – we have no Bent’s law, we have no Camille’s law.
It is unfortunate that someone has to die before legal protection is given for what should be common sense – passing a bicyclist on the road at a safe distance. It is even more unfortunate that at least two people have died recently in New Jersey and still no action has been taken.
New Jersey needs to join the more than 24 other states which have such a law. A three foot safe passing bill is long overdue, as is protection that it will offer to all unprotected road users in our state. Please join with us in helping to make this happen.
This letter has not yet been printed by the Bergen Record, but we hope that it will be soon - and we will be sending an updated version. We urge all of you to write to your local newspapers on this issue as soon as possible.
How You Can Help -- The Three "P's"
PEOPLE:
Join the New Jersey Bicycle Coalition. Your membership gives us increased credibility as representing New Jersey cyclists, in Trenton, in Washington, and in the public eye. We have a rapidly growing membership base, which is good because politicians listen to LOUD voices. Adding your voice through your membership will make us LOUDER! Join us online at http://njbike.org/membership.html
PUBLICITY:
Keep this issue current. Tell your friends, family, people you meet on your rides. Stress that this isn't just cyclists - almost everyone is a pedestrian at some point or another. And New Jersey's record on pedestrian safety on the roads is among the worst in the nation. We are all at risk on our roads.
PRESSURE:
Contact your Assemblyperson or State Senator HERE. Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper. Contact civic organizations and offer to inform their members about this issue. Become a source of information on the subject. That's what NJBC is doing, and what you, and your organization, should be doing.
And One "M"
MONEY:
The 3 "P's" need to be augmented by the one "M" -- Money. And there will be expenses in this campaign. We don't plan to let this campaign fall by the wayside (or even the shoulder of the road, which we know is unsafe!)
Your membership dollars are a first step but just a beginning. Every cyclist should have an interest in cycling advocacy and the New Jersey Bicycle Coalition is your collective voice. Please spread the word and get others involved in our work.
NJBC is willing to provide leadership but we can't carry the campaign through to success all on our own - we need you. Join us today and contribute your time, your enthusiam, your money, and your voice to this cause.
Riding in Silence No Longer
Riding in Silence No Longer
One day each year, cyclists around the county organize "Rides of Silence" to honor those cyclists killed on our roads. And that is a fine tradition, paying homage to those victims. But we do them no service at all when we are silent the other 364 days of the year.
Why are so many of our bicycle clubs silent? It is their members who are most at risk everytime they get on a bike.
Why are so many of our bicycle shops silent? Their customers are being killed by distracted, inattentive motorists. And potential customers are discouraged about taking up cycling. Bike safety educators know that the answer to the question "Why don't you ride your bike more often?" is "I am afraid of riding on the roads."
Why are so many cyclists silent? We've heard the reasons. "I'm an accomplished cyclist, I know how to ride on the roads. It's not going to happen to me". Camille Savoy was also an accomplished cyclist, as was Bent Rasmussen. It can happen to anyone.
We've heard "A three-foot law won't prevent these accidents from happening". Perhaps not, but perhaps drivers might be a bit more cautious around unprotected road users if they knew that there was a law - a law with sufficient consequences for them.
So, once a year, Ride in Silence. The remaining days, let's hear your voice.
No one is going to "give" us this protection on our roads. As in the other states that have a achieved a safe passing law, it is going to be a long, hard fight. We hate to have to say it, but most motorists do not want us on the roads. Yet we have every legal right to be there and we need to assert that right.
This is a real "life and death" issue and must be addressed by our Legislature. If you agree with us, and wish to be involved in this effort, please contact us today. We are particularly interested in volunteers willing to spearhead groups in each of our state's senate and assembly districts. We want to ensure that every member of the Legislature knows that this is an issue of great concern to their constituents.
With your help, we will succeed. Join us today. Join NJBC today.
PS, Since beginning this letter, yet another cyclist was struck by a car and killed, this time in Gloucester County, NJ. Help us put a stop to this!