Folks,

Gov. Paterson today Gov. Paterson today signed Merrill’s Law, the bill proposed and promoted by the Bike Walk Alliance and Westchester Cycle Club this year, which will make our roads safer for cyclists. The bill was proposed last December, following the death of Merrill Cassell, who was killed after he was sideswiped by a BeeLine bus on Route 119 at the Greenburgh-White Plains line.

The bill requires motorists to pass cyclists “at a safe distance” on the road. We will now work with the state Department of Motor Vehicles to develop an education program to teach motorists what a “safe distance” means. Several states have a three-foot rule, while many others have the safe distance language. Three feet can be mighty close if you are getting passed by a bus or 16-wheel semi….

The Bike Walk Alliance will celebrate the victory at an event on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Bronxville Women’s Club, 135 Midland Ave., Bronxville. The Alliance will be honoring Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who was the bill’s Assembly sponsor.

Yours riding safely,

WCC President David Wilson