Millions of motorists are cycling, according to a study commissioned by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in the United Kingdom. The report Cycling Motorists was published August 26 and calls for different strategies to get more drivers cycling. The thought is that if more motorists are also cyclists, the safer all cyclists will be. The general consensus is that motorists who cycle become more considerate of other cyclists when they get behind the wheel.

Over 14 million U.K. motorists own a bike, five million of them ride regularly, seven million cycle now and half-a-million drivers who don't cycle might be persuaded to do so. "What deters them (both sexes) are inconsiderate drivers, heavy traffic, lorries, the poor state of some roads and risk of an accident," said Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research. Currently, only 14 percent of bike-owning motorists do not ride.

Calling all filmmakers and videographers who would like to see their work rewarded with a $5,000 prize. All you have to do is create the best two-minute video illustrating how drivers can lower their gasoline costs by adopting one or more of the tips provided by the Drive Smarter Challenge campaign. Yes, one tip is to consider other transportation options like bicycling. Click here for contest rules.

The League, WABA and the Coalition for Smarter Growth is excited to welcome the Danish Embassy and Mr. Mikael Colville- Andersen September 30 at the National Capital Planning Commission from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The Danish Embassy is bringing a bicycle exhibit to the U.S. called Dreams on Wheels, and Mr. Mikael Colville- Andersen will be speaking in several cities, including Washington D.C. Colville-Andersen is known as Denmark's Bike Ambassador and has actively branded Copenhagen as the leading bike city in the world. He has quite a following in the U.S. via his two web sites: www.copenhagencyclechic.com and www.copenhagenize.com.

This event is free, and all are welcome. Please join us Septermber 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the National Capital Planning Commission, 401 9th Street NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C.

Utah now has the nation's toughest texting and driving law. It went into effect this past May, and law makers are hoping it will enforce the dangers of texting while driving. Offenders face up to 15 years in prison. The new law penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone. Talking on a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving with a .08 blood alcohol level. Texting while driving is at least twice as dangerous. "It's a willful act," said Lyle Hillyard, a Republican state senator and a supporter of the measure. "If you choose to drink and drive or if you choose to text and drive, you're assuming the same risk." Source: New York Times

*Texting Update
The Austin City Council unanimously directed the city manager to create an ordinance to ban texting or viewing content on a mobile device while driving.

The Governors Highway Safety Association endorsed a ban on texting while driving.

The Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood has organized a Distracted Driving Summit meeting to take place in late September.

A new Missouri law took effect August 28 allowing motorcyclists and bicyclists to run red lights after coming to a complete stop and waiting a reasonable amount of time. This law addresses the situation known to every motorcyclist and bicyclist -- many traffic light sensors don't detect the presence of motorcycles and bicycles. Missouri will be one of eight states that have similar laws.

After more than three years without any major bike infrastructure improvements in San Francisco, it appears the final steps to lift the bike injunction is just weeks away. Last Friday, City Attorney Dennis Herrera's office filed a motion (PDF) to lift the bike injunction, a filing that is 15 inches thick and argues the city has met all of its legal obligations. A hearing on the motion has been tentatively set for September 24th at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Peter Busch.
Source: Streetsblog