The Michigan House Transportation Committee is taking up three bills at 10:30 AM this morning which directly impact bicycling in Michigan.
Below are the bills and their legislative summaries.
What can you do? Contact your state representative and voice your support.
Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the League of Michigan Bicyclists will be at the committee meeting to provide testimony.
We’ll also note that both Representative Knollenberg and Representative Leland are cyclists. Even though they represent different parties, they’re both members of the bicycling party.
Penalties for injuring vulnerable road users
House Bills 4958 and 4959 would impose criminal penalties on those who commit a moving violation while operating a motor vehicle and as a result cause injury or death to a “vulnerable roadway user” on a highway.
The term “vulnerable roadway user” refers to a pedestrian or a person on a “nonmotorized transportation device,” such as a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or inline skates. The penalties would apply when the vulnerable roadway user was complying with traffic laws.
Causing injury would be a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Causing death would be a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years and/or a fine of up to $7,500.
Driver Education: Bicycle Awareness
The bill would require that driver education classroom instruction include information about laws related to bicycles and emphasize the awareness of bicycles on streets, roads, and highways. The bill would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act (MCL 256.657).
The section being amended applies to “segment 1” teen driver training. This is the initial driver education program for individuals 17 years of age and younger. Driver training is not required for individuals 18 and over to obtain a driver’s license (although it is available).