Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2007 21:50:15 -0500 (EST)
Message-Id: <200711080250.lA82oFQj011946@contents-vnder-pressvre.mit.edu>
From: belmonte@MIT.EDU (Matthew Belmonte)
To: Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US, Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us,
        James.Timilty@state.ma.us, Rep.MichaelCostello@Hou.State.MA.US
Subject: support S.1414, An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety

I hope that you'll see to it that S.1414, An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety,
is reported favourably from the Public Safety Committee.  This important bill
would clarify the illegality of dangerous driving which is all too common on
the streets of the Boston metropolitan area, including the peculiarly Bostonian
habits of making a right turn across a cyclist's path of travel, and opening a
car door into a cyclist's path of travel.  In addition, the bill would codify
common-sense measures such as not requiring hand signals in instances where
both hands are needed for the safe operation of the cycle.  Five years ago,
cyclist Dana Laird was killed on the streets of Cambridge because the operator
of a car failed to look - and to think - before opening a door.  One more case
like Ms Laird's is too many.

Matthew Belmonte
[address]