OFF THE WIRE
Illinois motorcyclists who get stuck at red lights would be able to proceed through intersections if a bill approved Friday by the Illinois House of Representatives becomes law.
The House approved the bill 104-0. Its sponsors included Rep. Dan Beiser, D-Alton, and Rep. Tom Holbrook, D-Belleville.
The bill states that, after stopping at a red light, a motorcyclist or bicyclist who is "facing a steady red signal which fails to change to a green signal within a reasonable period of time because of a signal malfunction or because the signal has failed to detect the arrival of the motorcycle or bicycle due to the vehicle's size or weight, shall have the right to proceed, subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign."
Beiser, who filed the bill, said it was suggested by an Illinois motorcycle group, A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education, more commonly known as ABATE of Illinois.
ABATE's legislative coordinator, Bob Myers, said it's common for motorcycles not to be detected by stoplight sensors.
"This happens more than you could imagine," Myers said. "You would have to be a biker or cyclist to appreciate this bill."
The measure passed without debate.
The measure, H.B. 2860, now goes to the Senate.
Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/04/02/1654841/house-oks-bill-to-aid-bikers.html#ixzz1IPZz2zZy
