MA Action Alert: Bicyclists Bill of Rights

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A Bicyclists Bill of Rights (sponsored by Rep. Anne Paulsen) is currently in the House Ways and Means Committee, but may come up for a vote before the legislative session end on July 31st.

Letters sent to the chair of House Ways and Means could help get this through.

Here's what MassBike is requesting:

Now is the time to come to the aid of the Bicycle Bill of Rights & Responsibilities, which must be move out the House Ways & Means Committee as soon as possible in order for it to stand a chance of being voted on before the end of legislative session July 31,2004.

[You may use this letter as boilerplate for a letter to you state
legislators as well as Chair Rodgers. So much the better if they are members of the Ways & Means Committee. You may retrieve a copy of the bill electronically at:

www.state.ma.us/legis/bills/house/ht01553.htm

You may find your state legislators, their addresses,and committees on which they serve at:
www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

It is strongly recommended that you write a traditional letter, giving your address, rather than by email. Thanks]

[date]
Representative John H. Rogers
House Chair, Joint Committee on Ways & Means
State House, Room 236
Boston, MA 02133

RE: H. 1553 – The Bicyclists Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Dear Chairman Rogers:

I am writing to urge your support of H. 1553, the Bicyclists Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. Passage of H. 1553 will improve conditions for all users of the Commonwealth’s public ways — motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

H. 1553 clarifies the right of bicyclists to use the road and
important responsibilities they have for safe traveling. The
legislation also gives police officers better enforcement tools,
thereby making the streets safer for everyone. The Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition, a non-profit bicycling organization, has secured funding for the implementation of a police training program, removing the major cost associated with H. 1553.

The Bicyclists Bill of Rights and Responsibilities was reported
favorably out of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. I ask that you recommend its speedy approval by the Committee, and its readings before the General Court.

Sincerely,


[Your name]
[affiliation, if any]

[Z]

This is a great bill, I hope it passes! I left a voice mail message, and then followed up with an email.

FYI here is my letter:

Dear Representative Kaufman,

I am writing to urge you to support Rep. Paulsen's bill, H. 1553 – The Bicyclists Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. This will make our public ways safer for everyone and will encourage safe and environmentally sound methods of transportation for our Commonwealth. The bill can he found here: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01553.htm

I commute to work on my bicycle and have been hit several times, but luckily never too badly. But others are not so lucky. There are three stories that recently convinced me that this is a much-needed law:

Just last Thursday a friend of mine woke up in the hospital after having been unconscious. All she remembers was getting on her bicycle five hours earlier and the next thing she knew she was in the hospital and no one knows what happened. She is lucky to be alive; she just had reconstructive surgery on her hand yesterday. There needs to be stronger laws and better public awareness of bicyclists to protect their safety.

Another acquaintance was badly hurt in an accident in late April because a motorist opened a car door in the way. The cyclist lost his front teeth, cut up his face, mangled his bike, and I heard that had 75 stitches! It was a gruesome scene, and all the police officer could say was, "Can you believe it, he ran right into the car door!" It was incredibly frustrating that a police officer would blame the cyclists for the driver breaking the law. Police officers should be sympathetic to the safety of cyclists and understand the laws protecting them. This convinced me that training for public safety officers is badly needed, and I'm pleased to hear about the provision for this in this new bill.

Frinally, I heard that Stoneham recently implemented a "stop on green" law for bicyclists. Not only is this illogical, it casts bicyclists as second-class citizens. Most importantly, it makes an accident caused by a motorist breaking the law (e.g., running a red light or not looking when turning on a red) the fault of the cyclist for not stopping at the green light. Cyclists are already extremely vulnerable, and we need more equitable laws for all that will lead to safer streets and encourage bicycle commuting, which means less traffic and a better environment.

Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition, a non-profit bicycling organization, has secured funding for the implementation of a police training program, removing the major cost associated with H. 1553. The Bicyclists Bill of Rights and Responsibilities was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. I ask that you recommend its speedy approval by the Committee, and its readings before the General Court.

Sincerely,