LANSING (WKZO-AM) — The Michigan State Senate has approved two bills that are a direct response to the death of five cyclists in Kalamazoo County in June.
The legislation sets a five-foot buffer for drivers passing slower bikers going in the same direction. The other requires that three hours during drivers training be dedicated to a focus on sharing the roads with pedestrians, bikes, motorcycles and other forms of alternative transportation.
Sponsor Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, says it’s all about learning to share the road.
The two bills were approved 32-2 in the Senate. They legislation now goes into the hopper at the House for their consideration. If not passed by the end of the year, the legislation will die.
While the two bills may be the result of the bicycle tragedy in Cooper Township, neither would have prevented it. Charles Pickett Jr. is charged with multiple counts of second degree murder for allegedly driving under the influence causing death.
Investigators claim he was high on a number of powerful prescription drugs and all over the road when he collided with the group of cyclists on North Westnedge Avenue in June.
