Just some quick observations…

Michigan House

We lose cycling supporter (and Tour de Troit rider) Rep. Gabe Leland due to term limits. However, his replacement is cycling and trails advocate  Harvey Santana.

Former Detroit City Councilmember Alberta Tinsley-Talabi was elected to the State House. She was a solid supporter of Detroit’s non-motorized plan on Council.

Michigan Senate

Rep. Coleman Young II, who sat on the House Transportation Committee and supported the Complete Streets legislation, is now heading to the Michigan Senate.

Michigan Governor

We didn’t know if there was much of a difference between the two gubernatorial candidates. Though Rick Synder was called out on the pedestrian bridge comment, he noted that he supported bike-friendly, walkable communities. He also pledged to help strengthen the city of Detroit. And, insider talk says Bill Rustem may play a key role in they Synder administration. Rustem is a former board member of the Michigan chapter of the Rails to Trails Conservancy and a board emeritus for the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.

The bigger question is what will happen with MDOT. Will MDOT Director Kirk Steudle remain? Under his leadership, MDOT supported the Complete Streets legislation. He also authored that great letter about Complete Streets.

U.S. Congress

The huge loss of Congressman James Oberstar of Minnesota is quite devastating for bicycle advocacy in the U.S.  Andy Clarke, Executive director of the League of American Bicyclists says, “I’m not going to lie – I’m depressed.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick lost in the primary and was a member of the bicycle caucus. She’s replaced by Hansen Clarke.

Congressman Mark Schauer had become a supporter of bicycling, especially through the efforts of PEAC. He lost his seat to Tim Walberg.

And overall the lost of Democratic control of the House will have a major impact on bicycling. It makes John Boehner the Speaker and he has some history of not being too bike friendly. And it might take a whole lot more work to make the  next transportation bill bike friendly.

As Clarke said, we’re now on the defensive.

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

• HB 4958 – Representative Knollenberg
• HB 4959 – Representative Leland

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

• HB 4960 – Representative Leland

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).