The law contains two brief but important
changes for bicyclists. First, a new signaling specification, making it
not necessary for bicyclists to signal when both hands are needed on
the handlebars, and second, bicyclists being allowed to ride
two-abreast as opposed to the old 'single-file' policy. The bill is
more concerned, however, with the etiquette of the motorists on the
road. This includes a strict statute against 'dooring,' or opening the
door in the way of bicyclists or pedestrians on foot, giving law
enforcement the power to issue a one hundred dollar ticket to violators
on the spot.

In addition, motorists now have to wait to pass
bicyclists on the right until they are at a safe distance, thusly
making it illegal for them to cut off a bicyclist on either side after
they pass. Motorists are no longer allowed to 'squeeze' bicyclists into
narrow lanes, and make abrupt right-hand turns when a bicyclist is
present. They must also now yield to all bicyclists before making a
left-hand turn, and are now held liable for hitting bicyclists to the
right.

In respect to police training and enforcement, police
are now required to receive training of the new laws. In the past, each
town had to come up with their own procedures to follow when going
through a given problem. Now, there will be a central and clear set of
rules and guidelines to follow throughout the Commonwealth, which will
certainly produce a better structure in regard to the law enforcement
of motorists and bicyclists.

The bill also includes a piece that
mandates bicycle rental businesses to supply helmets to their
customers. Also, the Bicycle Registration mandates have been repealed,
as well as the safety standard for helmets now refers to the guidelines
of the U.S. Product Safety Commission.

David Watson, the
Executive Director of MassBike, proclaims this new law as a "big step
in the right direction." When asked what this bill meant to him
personally, as the head of the committee who spearheaded the fight to
make this all possible, he replied "this shows the strength of the
bicycling community, and how as a whole the people want to improve
their own communities."

Bicyclist's safety, however, is not
the only area that will be benefiting from the bill. This can be seen
as an obvious effort to improve major issues such as the environment,
transportation as a whole, health, and the erratic nature of gas and
oil prices. In a nation struggling for a vast turn-around in respect to
obesity, pollution and economic strife, the betterment of a clean and
healthy form of transportation is essential. According to Watson, "this
is an environmental bill, a safety bill, a health bill and a
transportation bill. This is a quality bill, that improves the standard
of living for all."

With bicyclist's safety being such a big
issue throughout the Commonwealth, in communities like Boston,
Somerville and Cambridge, many potential bicyclists could be steered
away from getting a bike. These laws, along with Mayor Thomas Menino's
promise two years ago to "do a lot with bikes," including his
appointment of former Olympian Nicole Freedman to the Director of
Bicycle programs, a position that had been without a director since
2003, are all paving the way for a drastically improved environment for
bicycling.

Watson described Boston and the surrounding areas as
being "easy to get around" because of how flat most of the layout is,
and how there are "a lot of bikers" which make it a "good community to
bike in." This is proven in the way that this new bill was firmly based
in grass-roots organizations, dedicated legislators and a call for
change from the people.

Bicycling Magazine placed Boston in
their "worst cities for cycling" list three different years. Now, they
are proclaiming it to be "the future best city for cycling." The
efforts of people like Watson, Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick and the
collective bicyclist community, as well as organizations like MassBike
are proving to be responsible for this swift and somewhat sudden
turnaround.

When asked what the future holds for MassBike,
Watson responded how "we will attempt to gain better federal funding to
improve the infrastructure of the roads themselves to further improve
the safety of bicyclists. Massachusetts is last in the country for the
funding of this transportation; especially in the way those funds are
distributed. The Executive Office will try to get federal and state
legislators to direct a fair share of funding to bicycles and
bicyclists."

Awareness will also be key in making sure that
this new law holds substantial weight on the road. "We will have to
reach out beyond the bicyclist community," Watson stated, "making sure
law enforcement knows them, as well as motorists."

For
additional information on the new Bicyclist Safety Bill, go to
MassBike's website, www.massbike.org. There, the laws are listed and
explained in full, as well as the other measures and projects this
important activist organization is taking on.