Bicycle advocates were surprised and disappointed that Virginia legislators, particularly Republicans, defeated a seemingly innocuous measure to change Virginia’s standard for drivers passing cyclists from 2 to 3 feet, to match the practice in most states. Based on their summary, the bill mainly didn’t go down to defeat because legislators thought 2 feet was better. Rather, they perceived cyclists as a group not deserving of any added protections from the law.
Here are some arguments the Virginia Bicycling Federation reported hearing from legislators at the hearing:
* “Bicyclists are often law breakers, unworthy of any added protection under the law.”
* “Bicyclists are inconsiderate when they delay drivers from getting to their destinations, especially in narrow lanes or roads.”
* “Bicyclists should police themselves before coming in asking for added legal protections.” them to move into the adjacent or oncoming travel lanes.”When a majority builds up and expresses incorrect and biased attitudes about a minority group, we call that out. This anti-cyclist attitude needs a name, too. These Virginia legislators aren’t just misinformed and pigheaded, they’re also cyclist-ist. Or something. I haven’t seen a good name for this prejudice. Have you? (via Do we need a name for anti-bike-ism? - Greater Greater Washington)
WTF?! Screw VA!
