A bill to prevent "dooring" of bicyclists passes through both houses of the legislature.
Cyclists would no longer be required to ride three feet away from parked cars while passing, but must exercise caution. Also, motorists must look for oncoming bikes before opening their door.
Wisconsin Rapids Democrat Marlin Schneider opposes this bike legislation, saying that cyclists need to learn how to ride according to the rules of the road, just like motorists.
"To go the proper way around the (capitol) square, not to run street lights, to put lights on their bicycles … little things like that."
Schneider says, in his observation, bicyclists seem to think the traffic laws don't apply to them.
"I see this constantly. And the bicyclists, at least around here around the university, don't seem to have a clue that we have traffic laws in this state."
The bill comes after a Madison woman was injured – and given a citation – after being hit by a car door while riding her bike to work.
Madison Democrat Spencer Black, Assembly author of the bill, reminds fellow lawmakers, if Chicago is picked for the 2016 Olympics, Wisconsin will be the venue for all the biking events.
The bill (SB-29) passed on a voice vote in both chambers and goes to the governor's desk.
