Proposed Bill Will Make It Safer For Bicyclists

State Sen. Andrew Rice wants to make it safer for bicyclists in the state.

Last week, Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat, announced he plans to introduce legislation next session that will help to protect bicyclists. The idea for the proposed bill was prompted by the recent deaths of Oklahoma bicyclists in accidents, Rice said.

Rice, pictured right, also pointed out that bicycle accidents are on the rise in Oklahoma.

According to Rice:

Our job as legislators is to ensure the public’s safety, and we need to do what we can to keep everyone on Oklahoma’s roads safe, and that includes bicyclists. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature, the Department of Public Safety and others concerned with this issue to see how we can best prevent further accidents and unnecessary deaths.

Rice, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said the bill could be modeled after a recently passed Colorado law, which includes “common sense” rules for bicyclists and drivers.

On his Facebook page, Rice wrote: “As senate staff helps me craft this bill, I look forward to getting public feedback so we can make sure this legislation is fair and effective.” Rice also wrote he would make a draft of the bill public this fall.

Ultimately, the proposed bill would encourage bicycling in Oklahoma. The legislation deserves broad, bipartisan input and support.