1,200 cyclists converge on state Capitol to peddle safety

By Jim Tharpe

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

More than 1,200 bicyclists converged  on the state Capitol on Tuesday, urging lawmakers to approve a “safe passing” bill and to create more infrastructure for metro area cyclists.

Police-escorted groups of cyclists departed Decatur and Roswell, arriving in long, colorful columns in front of the Capitol just before noon. Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd and Roswell Mayor Jere Wood joined the ride, calling for passage of HB 988.

“Maybe someday the roads will be safe enough that we won’t need a police escort,”  Wood said.

By noon the area in front of the Capitol steps was a sea of Spandex as bikers chanted  “three-foot zone!”

State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton) called for more bike paths in metro area counties. Hill and a handful of other state lawmakers at the rally vowed to try to move HB 988 forward.

The legislation, now in the House Rules Committee, would establish a 3-foot safe passing zone that motorists have to obey when overtaking a cyclist.  State Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) is the key sponsor of the bill, which would create a law similar to that in effect in 16 other states.

The legislation has to pass one chamber of the state Legislature by Friday, known as “Crossover Day,” or it is likely dead for the session.

More than 30 metro area mayors and city council members participated in the ride, the fifth annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” event by the state's growing cycling community.

The riders want to increase support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multiuse trails, as well as creating cycling connections to major transit facilities, activity centers and schools.