Bill Outlawing "Crowding" Bicyclists or Throwing "Missiles" at Bicyclists sent to Gov. Quinn for Signature

Senate Bill 2951 has passed both the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House. The bill will now be sent to Governor Quinn for signature. The bill passed the Senate with 55 "yeas", 0 "nays" and 2 voting "present." The bill faced a little more opposition in the House, but still easily passed with a vote of 93-20-01. Given the broad support of this bill and Gov. Quinn's willingness to protect bicyclists, this bill is expected to be the law in Illinois soon. Ideally it will be put into law in time for this summer's busy bicycling season.

This bill will amend Section 11-703 of the Illinois Vehicle Code by making it illegal for the driver of a motor vehicle to "crowd" or threaten a bicyclist by unnecessarily driving the motor vehicle close to, toward, or near a bicyclist. The final version of the bill also:

• Provides that every person convicted of crowding or threatening a bicyclist shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the violation does not result in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another.
  
• Provides that if a crowding or threatening a bicyclist violation results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, the person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.