Legislators Introduce First Round of Bills that Affect Bicycling

With the first week of the Legislature done, it's exciting to note there are five bills with the word "bicycle" in them! In three of the bills the words appear to be incidental. But in two they are important.

The big news is that the Governor introduced House Bill 2120. Among other things it "increases allocation of State Highway Fund moneys for footpaths and bicycle trails" from 1.0% to 1.5%.

The State Treasurer also initiated House Bill 2106, which will ask that "safety improvements should provide safer alternative routes to schools and may include improvements for pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles."

We'll try to track the progress of the bills through the House & Senate, into committee, and through compromise & negotiation.