Bruce Hecht
Hello all,
Call your representative and tell them to support this bill that can improve
bicycling and walking safety. Details below.
Bruce
The time is now - the BTA needs YOUR voice to help support our bill in the
Oregon legislature!
Working with the City of Portland, the BTA has put forward House Bill 3240,
which seeks to establish a surcharge on moving traffic violations. The
proceeds will support traffic safety improvements and education programs
across the state, including our own Bike Safety Education program.
The bill will be heard in committee on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2ND at 8:30 A.M. -
and we need YOU to help us push it through.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO:
(1) if you can make it to the hearing, show up tomorrow morning and help us
fill the hearing room with enthusiastic cyclists - put on a yellow "Bikes
Work" sticker to show your support, or sign up to testify. The hearing is
Wednesday April 2nd at 8:30 A.M. in room: HR 357.
(2) Write a letter or e-mail or call your representative to let him or her
know that funding bike safety education and making our communities safer for
walking and biking are crucial. Details about who to contact and how are
below.
HERE ARE SOME SPECS:
HB 3240 adds a $10 fee to the convictions of all moving violations. Of the
$10:
... $8 will go to the citing jurisdiction for neighborhood traffic safety
improvements and education.
... $2 will go into a statewide Traffic Safety Education Fund for existing
traffic safety programs (including bicycle safety education).
BASIC TALKING POINTS ABOUT HOUSE BILL 3240:
... In 2001 the BTA worked to pass HB 3712, Safe Routes to Schools. The aim
of this bill is to increase the safety of children requiring cities and
school districts to identify barriers to bicycling and walking to school.
... American children and adults are facing a health epidemic of obesity
caused mainly by sedentary lifestyles. In 1960s over 60% of children biked
and walked to school, that number plummeted to 10% today. The National
Centers for Disease Control stated that "automobile trips that can be safely
replaced by walking or bicycling offer the first target for increased
physical activity in communities."
... Improving transportation safety through traffic fines can positively
benefit our neighborhoods. These fines will fund facilities and education
programs that will help increase bicycling and walking among children and
adults, increasing physical activity, health and public safety.
... People who speed, run red lights, disregard other traffic control
devices, and endanger pedestrians and bicyclists should pay for the
education, and safety measures required to mitigate their reckless driving.
... Provide a compelling personal story -- e.g., tell about a time that you
did not let your child bike / walk because of unsafe conditions, or tell a
positive story about a BTA bicycle safety course.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE
No time to testify? Call and e-mail your Representative if they sit on the
Transportation Committee.
Or, if you know someone who lives in one of these districts, get in touch
with them and encourage them to speak up for bike safety.
? Don't know your House Representative? You can find out on the State of
Oregon's website at http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm.
House Transportation Committee Members:
Rep. Alan Brown, chair - Newport area
503.986.1410, Rm. 481
mailto:rep.ala-@state.or.us
Rep. Terry Beyer, vice.chair - Springfield
503.986.1412, Rm. 374
mailto:rep.ter-@state.or.us
Rep. John Mabrey, vice.chair - The Dalles, rural north/central Oregon
503.986.1459, Rm. 1459
mailto:rep.joh-@state.or.us
Rep. Jackie Dingfelder - Inner SE Portland
503.986.1445, Rm. 383
mailto:rep.jackie-@state.or.us
Rep. George Gilman - Rural Klamath, Lake, Crook counties
503.986.1455, Rm. 472
mailto:rep.geor-@state.or.us
Rep. Mitch Greenlick - SW Portland, Beaverton
503.986.1433, Rm. 475
mailto:rep.mitch-@state.or.us
Rep. Cliff Zauner - Woodburn
503.986.1422, Rm. 485
mailto:rep.clif-@state.or.us
Thanks for putting your commitment in to action and making your voice heard
in support of bike-friendly legislation. If you have questions, please
contact the BTA office at 503.226.0676 or in-@bta4bikes.org.
--
Brita Johnson
Communications and Volunteer Coordinator
B T A
...opening minds and roads to bicycling...
The Bicycle Transportation Alliance
PO Box 9072
Portland, OR 97207
voice: 503.226.0676
fax: 503.226.0498
web: http://www.bta4bikes.org
Visit us at 717 SW 12th Avenue, Portland. We're open from 9 - 5, T - F.