Virginia and Maryland Legislative Update

Last week, we posted a quick listing of the primary bike-related bills in the Virginia and Maryland legislatures this session.  Since then, a few procedural steps have been scheduled and we’ve identified a couple more bills of note to the bicycling community.  We will post more on that shortly. But, as promised, things move quickly and we need to take action to move these bills forward. So… Greg Billing and I will be in Annapolis today for the meeting of the Maryland Bike Caucus to be present for the introduction of HB 52 (Bike Duty Bill) and HB 92 (strengthening the 3 ft. passing law). Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) will be in Richmond for hearings in the Senate Transportation Committee on SB 97 (Three Foot Passing) and SB 225 (Dooring). From VBF:

If your senator is on this committee, please send them a quick note asking them to support these bills. As Champe Burnley says, “…a quick call or a sentence or two with the bill numbers is all you need to do.  Remind them that this is about safety on our roads, transportation choices, and saving lives.”  If you’d like to go into further detail, we’ve posted talking points. Use the Who’s My Legislator page to find who your senator is.  If they’re on the Transportation Committee, listed below, please send them a note.  Click on their name for contact info.  You can email them or call. Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest) Chair Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond) Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian) Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell) Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach) Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville) Sen. Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke) Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke) Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach) Sen. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas) Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson) Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington) Sen. Kenneth C. Alexander (D-Norfolk)

We will continue to provide updates on the progress of bills in both statehouses–likely on short notice, as that’s things move in these short legislative sessions.  Thank you for helping us get these bills passed to improve the safety of cyclists in both states.