Support SB 252 in VA House

Thu Feb 26 11:19:42 CST 2004

SUPPORT SB 252 IN VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES

SB 252, Operation of Bicycles and Similar Vehicles (Deeds), would make
bicycling safer and protect bicyclists' rights in Virginia by amending six
sections of the Code of Virginia to 1) clarify a two-foot minimum safe
passing distance for (motor) vehicles (Sec. 46.2-838); 2) allow bicyclists
to signal right turns and stopping with either the right or left arm (Sec.
46.2-849); 3) allow bicyclists to ride two abreast when not impeding "the
normal and reasonable movement of traffic" (Sec. 46.2-905); 4) remove the
authority for local mandatory sidepath ordinances (Sec. 46.2-905); 5) cite
the current (CPSC) helmet safety standard in the section (46.2-906.1) that
allows local bicycle helmet ordinances; 6) direct that all transportation
on wheels move with (not against) other traffic (Sec. 46.2-932); and 7)
allow (steady or blinking) lights and reflectors, in addition to a white
headlight and a red rear reflector, for bicycling between sunset and
sunrise (Sec. 46.2-1015).  The Virginia Senate passed this bill (40-0) on
2/6/04 with minor amendments.

On 2/24/04, SB 252 was modified by the House Transportation Committee to
incorporate the content of HB 552, another bicycling-related bill, and was
reported out 19-2, after surviving attempts by hostile delegates to gut
three key provisions.  Meanwhile, HB 552 was identically modified in the
Virginia Senate to incorporate the content of SB 252 and was approved
unanimously (38-0) on 2/24/04.

SB 252 will be up for a vote in the House of Delegates in the next few
days.  Passage in its present form seems likely, but is far from certain. 
If you haven't already done so, PLEASE EMAIL, PHONE, OR FAX YOUR DELEGATE
IN SUPPORT OF SB 252 TODAY (before Saturday, February 28).  Delegates
Ebbin and Moran should be thanked for supporting SB 252 in committee.

A short and simple request to please support SB 252 should be sufficient
and will inform the House of Delegates that Virginia bicyclists are aware
and care.  During business hours, you can leave a brief phone message for
your delegate with the Constituent Viewpoint Hotline, 1-800-889-0229 (or
804-698-1990), only knowing your address. To identify and contact your
delegate, use the "Who's My Legislator" tool at
<http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy/constinput.asp>.  If you already know
your delegate's last name or House District number, send email using
<del_lastname at house.state.va.us> or phone their office at 804-698-10XX,
where XX is their House District number.  The main fax number for
delegates is 804-786-6310.

For more and updated information, go to <http://leg1.state.va.us/>. 
Unfortunately, SB 101 (Devolites), a bill to require drivers to stop when
necessary for pedestrians (and crossing bicyclists) in crosswalks, was
gutted by the House Transportation Committee to remove any requirement for
stopping. 

*****

OPPOSE SB 670: You might also ask delegates to oppose SB 670 (Newman),
which would require VDOT to build a bypass for U.S. Route 29 around
Charlottesville.  Defeating SB 670 is a priority for the Virginia
Conservation Network, a broad coalition of environmental organizations
that includes VBF.

SB 670 undermines the authority of local officials and MPOs to develop
transportation alternatives and sets a dangerous precedent by trying to
override decisions of the CTB and VDOT. Unwanted, ineffective, and
sprawl-inducing highways should not be forced upon localities that oppose
them.  Charlottesville area delegates (Van Yahres, Bell, Landes, and
Watkins) oppose this legislation.

VDOT estimates that the proposed 6-mile western bypass would cost over $40
million per mile, making this one of the most costly highway boondoggles
in Virginia history.   Taxpayers for Common Sense lists the Rte 29 Bypass
among the most wasteful highway projects in the U.S.  Moreover, the
project would not fix traffic congestion; unlike a true bypass, it would
begin and end in congestion.  VDOT's own studies show gridlock along the
corridor by 2010, even with the Bypass. The Bypass would only reduce
travel times for a small number of through drivers and by only a few
minutes.

State, local, and private funding is already targeting better and most
cost-effective alternatives, including creating grade-separated
interchanges at the most congested intersections for much less than $240
million.  Because of cost and lack of effectiveness, the CTB dropped the
Bypass from its Six Year Improvement Program and is pursuing other
improvements.

The bill would divert scarce dollars from more critical highway needs
throughout Virginia and from more cost-effective improvements to the 29
corridor.  Additional information on this bill is on the SELC website
<http://www.southernenvironment.org> and the League of
Conservation Voters website
<http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/route29bypass>.

==========

Allen Muchnick, President
Virginia Bicycling Federation
PO Box 5621, Arlington VA 22205
muchnick at capaccess.org
703-271-0895
http://vabike.org