Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition

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State Suggests More Space for Cyclists

Thanks to a committee advising the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Vermont drivers’ manual now recommends a minimum distance of four feet when a motorist passes a bicyclist. The prior recommendation was a minimum distance of three feet. Although this change is a small one that is seen primarily by new drivers, the Coalition recognizes that it’s a step in the right direction. If you wish to join the Coalition in expressing your thanks for this positive change, please send an email message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

#1 Complaints

It may interest readers to know that the #1 complaint that motorists make to the VBPC about bicyclists is that they don’t ride single ?le to allow cars to pass. Reports of bicyclists riding three or four abreast are commonplace. The Northeast Kingdom and Chittenden County are areas where this behavior is a particular concern. On the ?ip side, the #1 complaint that bicyclists report to the VBPC is the lack of adequate shoulders. A close second is the complaint that motorists drive aggressively, passing the cyclist too closely and too quickly while sometimes yelling or throwing things. Relations between bicyclists and motorists will improve when all roadway users adopt the respectful, courteous “Share the Road” mindset.

 

Riding Two Abreast: Is It Legal?

According to VT statute: “Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic...” This law means that two bicyclists riding side-by-side must switch to single file if their activity is interfering with the customary flow of motor vehicles. Bicyclists who don’t single up appropriately due to ignorance, thoughtlessness, or arrogance are giving all bicyclists in Vermont a black eye. Please do your part to establish good rapport with other roadway users by observing the law and by encouraging your fellow riders to do the same. Help the Coalition to eliminate the number one complaint lodged against bicyclists in Vermont.

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Bicyclists: Yield to Horses!

A horse can become frightened when a bicyclist passes the horse without warning. Fear can cause a horse to bolt, causing harm to the rider, the horse, property, and/or others in the path. Cyclists should speak to the horseback rider before attempting to pass to avoid startling the rider or the horse. The law requires that all bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists yield to horses.

 

 

 

Share The Road Media Campaign
We're starting to work on a project for radio, TV, and print Public Service Announcements about Sharing the Road. CLICK HERE or scroll down for more info! We want your input & assistance on this project!


Radio PSAs:

Share the Road Principles

Bicyclists and pedestrians have a legal right to be on Vermont's public right of ways (also known as roads). Here's some tips on Sharing the Road for any mode:

BICYCLISTS have the responsibility to obey traffic laws and ride safely on the right with other traffic. For safe bicycling tips, please see our “share the road” brochure. By law, bicycles have the rights and responsibilities of vehicles.

Share the Road Brochure - Front page Share the Road Brochure - Second Page - the basics of riding your bicycle safely in traffic.

Share the Road Bumper Sticker - want one? Join the Coalition and you will get one in your welcome packet!

What to Do If You Are Hit by a Car - We hope it never happens to you, but if it does, this fact sheet includes information on your rights and a form for gathering information after a crash. Print and keep in your bike bag or wallet.

Group Ride Tips - a list for leaders.

Training Rides - thoughts on sharing the road by Kevin Bessett, President of the Green Mountain Bicycle Club, as originally published in Vermont Sports Today (April 2003).

WALKERS and RUNNERS should should face traffic (on the left). Where crosswalks are provided, pedestrians should use crosswalks. Drivers are legally required to exercise due care, even if a walker or jogger is not obeying the law.

DRIVERS should respect bicyclists and pedestrians as legitimate users of the roadways. Please reduce your speed and wait until it is safe to pass.

  • Slow down in towns and villages.
  • Slow down when passing bicyclists or pedestrians.
  • Give adequate passing distance-- at minimum 4' -- and more at higher speeds.
  • On rural roads, move over 1/2 lane when passing.
  • Don't pass if you can't see! It is not only unsafe but also illegal to pass either a car or a bicyclist at the top of a hill, at a blind corner, or when crossing railroad tracks.
  • Understand that bicyclists might need to move left in the travel lane for many reasons: to avoid a pothole, to avoid car doors, to pass a slower bicyclist, or to turn left!
  • Bicyclists may also take the travel lane when going "at speed," particularly when going downhill. Bicyclists may travel at speeds up to 40-50 mph going downhill!
  • Know that bicyclists do have the right to ride two abreast in Vermont. The only exception is if you could pass safely if they were riding single file, but not when they are two abreast.
  • Please don’t squeeze past when it’s not safe!

Roads are for public travel including bicycling and walking -- not just for cars!

For a summary of the laws pertaining to bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists all sharing the road -- please see our resource section.

Share the Road Media Campaign

As of Spring 2005, this campaign is actively in the works. Our Share the Road Committee (including board members, members at large, and other interested citizens) is working to define the key messages of the campaign, crafting radio scripts, altering some TV footage for new improved PSAs, and laying ground for an expanded campaign through media, bike shops, our outreach tent at big rides. There's several ways that volunteers can get involved; that could mean you!

The exciting news is that we received a $60,000 Transportation Enhancements grant for this program, which provides the core funding. Additional match (in-kind, cash, volunteer time) is needed! We're going to take it as far as we can with these funds (media ads are expensive), and hope that the new Federal Transportation Bill includes some dedicated funds for bicycle/pedestrian safety in the future. For more about possible federal funding changes, see America Bikes.

Here are 5 specific ways you could help!

1. Write a Letter to the Editor
Letter Writers will write letters to the editor about sharing the road in May. Writing letters is an effective way of getting the word out about sharing the road.

Specific jobs of the Letter Writers are:

  • Write a short letter about sharing the road. (Examples of letters and samples for your use are online HERE) or can be mailed writers without internet access.
  • Send the letter to at least one newspaper in your area. Local weekly papers are as important as daily papers.
  • If we don’t have any letter writers in a neighboring town, we might ask you to send one there, too. (Letters need to be slightly different for each newspaper).
  • Send the clipping to your area letter coordinator, or to the VT Bike/Ped Coalition office at PO Box 1234, Montpelier, VT 05601.

2. Post a Flyer at the General Store or other local bulletin board

Here's the flyer - in PDF format. Print on your home printer, or we're happy to send you a few on our "Signature" Lime Green paper. Just email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - with your address & how many.

3. Display a Share the Road sticker on your car.
You are changing the culture of the road by telling other drivers 'I'm a bicyclists, too!" Join us to get a free bumper sticker or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to request one. Be sure to specify if you would like a runner or walker sticker. We ask a donation of $1/sticker to help offset costs.

4. Help with an outreach table at an event

The Event Tabling Leader will help set up outreach displays at local events. Examples of events are MS 150, Champ Ride, Health Fairs, as well as Bike to School days or local Farmers Markets. There are specific events that we need a table, or you can organize a display at another local event in your community.

Specific jobs of the Event Tabling Leader are:

VT Bike/Ped will provide you with:
  • A training session
  • Materials for display including tent, table, etc.

5. Go on Talk Radio (having prepped yourself on our talking points)

    Are you cool as a cucumber and ready to take some heat? Maybe you're a good spokesperson to go on a talk radio show sometime in May, to promote Sharing the Road. We'll provide the list of talking points - and a dry run or two with your fellow 'talkies' asking friendly questions.

    The specific jobs of the Talk Radio Volunteer are:

  • Being available to be on a talk radio program to promote sharing the road.
  • Preparing to be on talk radio: anticipating questions that will be asked, and practicing your answers so you are smooooth! (The list of previously used talking points will be provided by VT Bike Ped).
  • VT Bike/Ped staff will contact the station for you to set up the program.

    VT Bike/Ped will provide you with:

  • A list of talking points
  • A chance to practice before you "go live"!

Share the Road Public Service Announcement Campaign - more about the project


The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is seeking funding & partnerships to create and distribute radio, TV, and print media "Public Service Announcements" to encourage motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians to safely and courteously share the road.

We have received a $60,000 VTrans 2005 Transportation Enhancements grant for this project. This provides the core of our funding, but additional match (in-kind, cash, volunteer time) is needed!

With broad input and support from our membership, bike clubs, regional planning commissions, and beyond... below is the substance of our grant application (some are large files). Please let us know if you have further thoughts, ideas for funding, suggestions for partnerships, or contacts at local media outlets.

If you would like to be part of our "Share the Road" team please contact Nancy Schulz, the committee chair. The team usually meets in Burlington, with call-in speaker phone available for those in other areas.

Transportation Enhancement Grant Application

As submitted 8/13/04.
  2. Grant summary form (PDF, 648k)
  3. Grant narrative (MS Word, 48k)**
  4. Grant budget (PDF, 56k) ** $60,142 grant; total budget $140,677
  5. Another grant form page (PDF, 612k)
  6. List of Letters of Support (MS Word) - forthcoming, thanks for all the support!
  7. Comments received through 8/13/04 (PDF, 120k)

** These two documents with small files to download are the "meat" of the application. Sorry that some of the other files are so big. I can't make them smaller very easily.

(Also included in the application but not included here were copies of relevant pages of state/regional plans supporting Share the Road and education. Email addresses removed in comments pages to prevent spam.)

Are you a bicyclist who has been harassed by motorists?

The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition is working on a system to reach motorists who threaten or harass bicyclists. Based on a model from Missouri, we would send a politely-worded letter in response to reported incidents, informing the driver that bicyclists do have a legal right to the road. We are currently seeking input on our draft letter (see below), and will subsequently work with state agencies to see if we can arrange to get addresses based on license plate numbers.

DRAFT - Letter to Harassing Motorists - we are working on compiling input and taking this to the state/local officials to make this happen.

Volunteer needed! Former volunteer project leader Kent Johnson has moved out of Vermont and we are looking for a new volunteer to move this project along. Please contact Nancy - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - if you are interested.
 

Better World Club

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The Better World Club offers bicycle-only and car-and-bike membership, including insurance and free roadside assistance. Better World Club offers VBPC members a 10% discount on new membership. The VBPC receives a donation for every new sign-up.