Dear Senator Skelos: My mom called. She isn't happy.

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After my last column, “For crying out loud, give cyclists a ‘brake’” (Sept. 18-24), my mother called from Florida, worried. She didn’t like reading that some careless teenager had driven like a maniac through my quiet neighborhood in a sports car, scaring the bejesus out of her angelic, bike-riding son.

If you recall, I was riding quite nicely, minding my own business, when the teen whizzed by me, blaring her horn, nearly causing me to crash.

Message to teen: My mom is very angry with you. Do not blast your horn again.

And, yes, I am 47 years old.

Anyway . . . Mom was quick to note that, had this been Florida, and had there been a police officer nearby to witness the teen’s egregious offense, she surely would have been ticketed, with points likely applied to her license and a hefty fine issued.

Florida is one of 24 states with this really excellent law: Motorists must give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing them. In Pennsylvania, it’s four feet. New York has no such law, according to www.3footrule.com, so motorists are free to squeeze cyclists to the side of the road, which is full of parked cars and dog walkers.

I’m sorry, but why must dog owners walk their pooches on the road? In most places in Nassau County, there are sidewalks. Side walks. Siiiiidewalks. Just stay off the road! But enough about my, um, pet peeve.

What an ingenious idea –– require motorists to give cyclists room when passing. I feel a letter coming on:

Dear Dean Skelos, Co-majority leader of the State Senate, Republican from Rockville Centre (and brother of Judge Peter Skelos, triathlete and runner extraordinaire):

You might want to consider Florida’s three-foot rule. Sorry, that sounds insistent.

Please, Senator, would you be so kind as to consider Florida’s three-foot rule? We cyclists would be much obliged. We don’t like it when cars get too close. Cars are big and heavy. Bicycles are small and light. I apologize if my tone seems a tad miffed, but I’m really tired of motorists who disrespect bicyclists, especially law-abiding riders like me.

New York’s cycling laws are antiquated and confusing. Change is needed –– now! Lives are at stake! Sorry; I’m insistent again.

Change is needed now. Thank you.

Sincerely, Scott A. Brinton

P.S. My mom says New York needs a three-foot rule like Florida’s. Now!

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