Bill could require bicyclists to yield road

South Dakota bicyclists would be required to yield to vehicles in certain conditions under a bill up for debate in Pierre.

Under the measure, a bicyclist would be required to pull to the side of the road and stop if a faster vehicle came up behind them on a roadway with a limited shoulder or no shoulder. Those who violated the rule could face a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail, a $500 fine or both.

The bill's sponsor Rep. Mike Verchio, R-Hill City, said he brought the measure after hearing concerns from truck drivers who had trouble passing cyclists on narrow roads in the Black Hills.

"All I'm asking is that if you're riding your bicycle on a narrow road and up comes an 18-foot hay hauler or some other service truck ... pull over, get off the bike and let them pull around you," he said.

The Legislature approved a law last year that would allow vehicles to pass cyclists even in no-passing zones if they maintain an appropriate space away from a bicyclist. And Chris Parsley, president of Falls Area Bicyclists, said Verchio's bill would reverse some of the state's success in becoming safer for cyclists.

"You don't expect someone to just veer off the road and stop unexpectedly," Parsley said. "And that's when accidents happen. People could die because of this."

Parsley, who also lobbies for bicycling, questioned whether the concerns of a few merited legislation.

"If we're just talking about one or two cyclists and a handful of truckers in the Black Hills, is that really enough to bring a new law?" Parsley said.

Verchio said he didn't aim to penalize anyone with the bill, he just wanted to see cyclists and drivers safely share the road.

“It’s an education thing and a courtesy thing,” Verchio said. “I’m not looking to get people thrown in jail or fined or anything like that.”

The House Transportation Committee is scheduled to take up the measure Thursday morning.

Follow Dana Ferguson on Twitter @bydanaferguson