Safe Passing Law passes state Legislature
WCC and Bike Walk Alliance join together for bike safety
By David Wilson - updated 6/29/10
The state Assembly this evening unanimously approved our bill to require motorists to pass cyclists at a safe distance. The Assembly approval came three days after the state Senate approved the bill. It now goes to Gov. Paterson to be signed.
The law, to be called Merrill's Law, is named in honor of Hartsdale resident Merrill Cassell, who was killed on Route 119 in November when he was sideswiped by a Beeline bus. The driver didn't receive a ticket and was back driving the next day.
This law gives us a right to the road, and will make riding safer for us all.
The bill emerged from the tragedy, and WCC, along with the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam, worked with our state legislators to make it happen. Once signed by the governor, New York will be among 18 states that require that motorists pass "at a safe distance" or by three feet. The state Assembly balked at the three-foot requirement, but after our statewide lobbying campaign, agreed to the "safe distance" terminology, which is in force in such bike-friendly states as Oregon and Washington.
Hats off to state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, of Yonkers, who crafted the bill's first draft, and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, of Scarsdale, who negotiated with Assembly leadership to find language that would pass muster.
I'll keep you posted on the victory party, which we're planning for after the bill gets signed.
Golden Apple Registration Now Open
Registration Limited to 1200 Riders
By Kate Marshall - updated 7/11/10
$25 till August 15th, $35 after and day of
Don't miss out- register now!
Online Golden Apple Registration is now open.
Or print this out and send it with a check to:
Westchester Cycle Club, PO Box 686, White Plains, NY 10601
Tuesday and Thursday Night Training Rides Routes
By Bruce Wells - updated 3/19/10
The Tuesday and Thursday night training rides have started again for the 2010 DST season. Check the ride schedule for starting times and mileage, as it varies depending on the daylight available.
Many people have been asking for the routes for the Tuesday and Thursday night training rides. So here they are. They are listed in assending order by mileage. Each route is known by the road on which we turn around. So if we say we are doing Rt 22, that means we turn back on Rt 22.
The maps were done on http://www.mapmyride.com the best mapping site I have found so far. They include elevation profiles so you can see the hills.