We’ve created a Portfolio page at Richmond Sunlight listing the bicycling-related bills in the 2012 General Assembly, with links to follow the progress of each bill.
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Also follow our Legislative Updates, daily reports from Bud Vye.
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HB784/Motorist to exercise Due Care not to collide w/pedestrians or cyclists, which had been recommended to be Passed by Indefinitely (PBI’d) by House Trans Sub Comm 2 yesterday morning by a 4-3 vote, was RECONSIDERED this morning in the House Trans Comm, as Del. Lopez’ request to do so was granted by Chairman Joe May.
Despite Del. Lopez’ hard work in attempting to line up enough votes to get the bill reported, the bill was PBI’d this morning by what appeared to be a 10-8 vote, with perhaps two votes who might have been favorable out of the room.
Due to his work, which I would consider to be above and beyond the normal call of duty, the vote was very close, and as soon as the official tally is posted, will give us a chance to see exactly who voted which way, and who was out of the room, so it was not entirely wasted effort. [click to continue…]
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More than an hour was spent this afternoon in the Senate Trans Comm with a heavyweight slugfest between Sens. Saslaw & Watkins, who have competing bills over what type of equipment may be used to conduct auto emission tests in the EPA non-attainment areas (which are primarily in NoVA). Saslaw (who I believe is a former auto dealer) is championing the existing equipment, which was expensive for the inspection stations to buy and now they want to be able to get their expense out of it. Watkins is championing a new, cheaper, easier to use device (not fully tested against the other for accuracy) in the name of innovation and competition. Question didn’t get resolved or compromised and will be resumed next Wed.
Getting to bills of primary interest to us —
As promised, and reported this a.m. SB101/Blacksburg to install a contraflow bike lane on a one way street, was WITHDRAWN by the patron
SB333/banning mo-peds from all highways higher than 35mph Has been continued to the 2013 session at the request of the patron, and referred to VDOT’s non-conventional vehicle study group, which tends to meet during times when the legislature is not in session, and discusses and makes recommendations on such topics as “What kind of license does it take to ride a mo-ped?” “Does that same license permit you to ride a motorcycle?” Must you wear a helmet to ride a mo-ped?” etc.
Since bicycles are NOT considered a “non-conventional” vehicle, we do not have a seat on this committee, nor do we want to have one.
Due to the time taken up with the emission test equipment debate, Sen. Barker did not have his SB633/Helmets mandatory for all cyclists 14 & under, statewide” heard and it was carried over until next Wed. [click to continue…]
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US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in Richmond today where he spent time visiting with Mayor Dwight Jones and touring parts of Richmond’s I-95 corridor.
After the Mayor’s meeting, LaHood then spent time on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University discussing today’s transportation environment with students Wednesday afternoon. [click to continue…]
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