Our understanding is that the House and Senate Conferees have finally met and are close to a compromise on House Bill 44. A decision will be made imminently – please make one more effort to email the Senate (especially) to remove Section 7 – the Bike Lane prohibition. Now is the time!
Section 7 of House Bill 44 prohibits road diets with bike lanes under certain circumstances. The provision is overly prescriptive and may in effect reduce a community’s ability to optimize safety and congestion relief in a comprehensive manner.
This is a Senate provision and they seem entrenched in supporting this prohibition so please let them know you think it is important to remove this provision and not over-regulate. Here is contact information: Conferee Emails
Senate Conferees are Sen. Trudy Wade, Chair, Sen. Tom Apodaca, Sen. Andrew C. Brock, Sen. Harry Brown, Sen. Kathy Harrington, Sen. John M. Alexander, Jr., Sen. Ben Clark
House Conferees – Rep. Lambeth (Chair), Rep. Debra Conrad, Rep Stephen Ross, Rep. Chuck McGrady, Rep. Edward Hanes, Rep. John Bell, and Rep. Paul Stam.
For more details on our position – HouseBill44 Legislative Alert
Michael Martelli says
Bicycle lanes are good for the community. They make the roads safer for both bicyclists and for drivers.
Also, they are a valuable tool to add to the tool for economic development. Many potential employers are drawn to bicycle friendly communities. If we allow our communities to be bike friendly, it provides more municipalities more options towards attracting new business.
Also, bicycle friendly communities attract more tourism. Tourism equals more money in our state’s economy.
Any legislator who truly cares about the safety of our citizens, will not pass this provision.
Any legislator who truly cares about the economic development of the state, will not pass this provision.
I hope that our legislators will show that they care for both, but either one should be reason enough to oppose this provision.
Mike Robinson says
State government should not get involved prohibiting localities from implementing bike lanes. Another example of those who say they want smaller government going back on their word
Andrew Hager says
i fear this this will result in dead cyclists and pedestrians.
Vera Dixon says
Please support bike lanes and make all forms of alternative transportation safe. It is all of our responsibility to look at effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. You have a great opportunity now to make a difference, please make a positive one.
Lori Ivey says
please remove section 7 of HB 44!