The New York State Senate this week approved legislation, co-sponsored by Sen. Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), to add bicycle and pedestrian safety training in New York State’s pre-licensing driver’s education and examination requirements in the wake of the death of bicyclist Matt MIller, according to a news release from O’Mara’s office.

The measure was approved with strong bipartisan support, 58 to 1. Read the legislation here.

O’Mara first said he’d support the bill on May 15 at the Awareness Ride in Memory of Matt Miller at Eldridge Park in Elmira, a 6.2-mile bike ride around city streets that drew about 200 bicyclists.

Matt, 43, a 1989 Elmira Free Academy graduate, was struck head-on and killed in April by a left-turning motorist while riding his bike on Hendy Creek Road in the town of Southport. The driver was ticketed for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.

Matt is survived by his wife, Michele, and their 7-year-old son, Holden. Family and friends have started a college fund for Holden. You can learn more and donate here.

I am representing Matt’s family in all matters pertaining to Matt’s death, including a wrongful death action to financially provide for his family. 

If approved by the Assembly and signed by Gov. Cuomo, the legislation would require the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to include instruction on:

• Safely passing a bicyclist on the road.
• Special considerations while driving in urban areas.
• The definition and designation of bicycle lanes.
• How to navigate an intersection with pedestrians and cyclists.
• Leaving a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists.

“Matt Miller’s tragic death has led the local cycling community to get behind this legislation, and it’s made all of us more aware than ever of the need for this action,” said O’Mara, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, in the news release. “Making all drivers more aware of sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians is the most effective way to make our roadways safer. It’s a straightforward, common sense piece of legislation that could save lives and the Assembly leadership should approve it.”

The legislation moves to the state Assembly, where it remains in the Assembly Transportation Committee. O’Mara said he would push the Assembly to approve it before this year’s regular legislative session adjourns.

To learn more about Matt and how family and friends have rallied the local bicycling community, click here.

Thanks for reading,

Jim
NY & PA Bike Accident Lawyer

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