Bike-Related Bills for 2012

by TheWalkman on January 19, 2012

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.

Please link to this page on your websites, and share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Also follow our Legislative Updates, daily reports from Bud Vye.

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Legislative Update 1-26-12, Thursday Morning

by BudVye on January 26, 2012

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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Legislative Update 1-25-12 Late Afternoon

by BudVye on January 26, 2012

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As promised, and reported this a.m. SB101/Blacksburg to install a contraflow bike lane on a one way street, was WITHDRAWN by the patron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 Transportation Secretary Visits Richmond

by TheWalkman on January 25, 2012

US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood

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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Legislative Update 1-25-12

January 25, 2012

Patron Eileen Filler-Corn requested that her HB 706/Motorists to Stop for Pedestrians in marked crosswalks “Go Bye for the Day” which was granted in House Trans. Sub 2, so we will probably see it next Wed. @ 7 a.m.
Del. Lopez did a very nice, and well prepared, job of presenting HB784, his very first bill [...]

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Legislative Update 1-24-12 Part 2

January 25, 2012

Over on the Senate side, SB264/Ebbin’s Don’t follow bicycles, etc. too closely bill passed the Senate by a 28-12 vote, which would appear to be good news, but it passed Senate Transportation unanimously, only to see Carrico and McDougle turn around and vote against it on the floor. My Senator, Stosch also voted against it, [...]

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Legislative Update 1-24-12 Part 1

January 25, 2012

Two bills of interest in the House Transportation Committee this afternoon,
as HB97/ Motorcycles may ride abreast in the same lane had about 2/3 of the hearing room filled with bikers in their leathers. After considerable debate and the State Police and Insurance Companies expressing opposition, the bill was reported by a 14-6 vote and goes [...]

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Mountain Biking Skills Park Planned for Richmond’s Belle Isle

January 24, 2012

Skills park – accessible via local trails & East Coast Greenway

Richmond MORE (Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts) is announcing today the planned building of an Off Road Bicycle skills area on Belle Island in the City of Richmond Virginia’s James River Park. This skills facility will be an addition to the 18 miles of urban [...]

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Legislative Update, 1-19-12

January 19, 2012

I arrived late at the Senate Agriculture Committee this afternoon, but
learned from others who were there that the four Sunday Hunting bills
were somehow combined, and Reported with a few nays. This should be well reported in tomorrow morning’s Times Dispatch, so we can get the details.
I did hear SB305, the bill pertaining to the Dangerous [...]

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Legislative Update 1-18-12

January 18, 2012

In the Senate Transportation Committee this afternoon…
SB 264, motor vehicles not to follow ANY vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, patroned by Adam Ebbin, was quickly reported on to the full Senate with very little discussion.
Both bills patroned by George Barker, SB210 & SB219, which would move ANY use of a cell phone [...]

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