Carelessly opening car doors in Madison now could result in fines. A new ordinance is designed to make it safer for bicyclists riding near cars parked on the street. It was passed by the Madison City Council, over objections from Alderwoman Thuy Pham Remmele. "It's just too much to do about nothing," Remmele said, prior to casting the sole vote opposing the measure.
Bicyclists called for the law because they say crashes with car doors happen too often, something Remmele disputed. "To me it's very uncommon" she said "I really don't see why we waste time doing this kind of thing. It drives me nuts." Bicyclists say they've been getting cited for violating a state law requiring them to ride three feet from parked cars. State lawmakers now want to wipe out that law and pass one similar to the Madison's new ordinance.
