Opening Day receptions and the inauguration will dominate the first day of the session today. Pre-session filings are now on the Legislature's website and here's a list of bills relating to bicycles and a few on more general transportation issues. This is just a first run, and I'm sure we'll identify more in the next week. Hopefully we'll get word on which bills are dead on arrival and which might get further along. So no analysis for the moment. Two of the more interesting bills would ban headphones and giving your 6 year old a ride on your bike or a trailer.
If you know of other relevant legislation, please drop it in the comments!
Senate Bill 130 for bicycle traffic lights
House Bill 2228 prohibits bike transportation of child under 6 years old
House Bill 2331 to study bicycle licensing
House Bill 2602 creates offense of Unsafe Operation of a Bicycle
A person commits the offense of unsafe operation of a bicycle if the person operates a bicycle on a highway while wearing a listening device that is capable of receiving telephonic communication, radio broadcasts or recorded sounds.Relevant to Transportation Generally
Senate Bill 266 on electronic tolling
House Bill 2333 prohibiting studded tires
House Bill 2437 on school busing
Proposed Oregon Constitutional Amendment to permit gas taxes to be used for pollution control and congestion reduction
8 comments:
I also think those two really are interesting bills. My initial reaction is against 2228, might be slightly dangerous but as long as they're in a proper seat or trailer I don't see an issue. 2602 to ban headphones... a little mixed - at the moment I personally have never worn headphones while riding (want to hear what's going on and enjoy being outside) but than I use my iPod while running, go figure
It'll be interesting to see how things shake out in the House.
Yes, there are some interesting bills. Here's one more. HB 2824 would make it a crime to "traffic in bicycles with a destroyed or altered serial number."
And yes, the co-speakership and associated rules will be very interesting indeed - hopefully not as dysfunctional entertainment!
Thanks for the info. I've already e-mailed my rep stating I am against 2228. With this tight economy we've be heavily reliant upon our bikes. This includes transporting our two girls by bike trailer. In fact, my wife does everything by bike during the week including dropping the kids off at day care on her way to work.
Awesome idea Jeff. I sent an email to my representative also stating that I was against the bill. If anybody else wants to but doesn't know who their representative is go to this website. http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/
Dang! Way to get after it! This is great.
The legislature is adjourning after this brief organizational session, and will reconvene February 1, I think.
I don't know to what extent the MWVBTA will take formal positions on legislation. I expect that will not be a priority at the moment, but we'll certainly watch the priorities from BTA headquarters in Portland.
In any case, once we get a feel for the real prospects of bills, I'm sure we'll be writing more about them. At a minimum, I'll be doing a weekly update, tracking the progress of bills as I did last session.
Speaking personally, the headphone ban interests me - I'd happily accept a ban on them if we could leverage it for an Idaho stop or some other good thing! So maybe it can be used as a trading chit?
Thanks for your interest in this - it's good to see that other folks find the info useful!
This evening BikePortland posted an interview with the sponsor of 2228, Representative Mitch Greenlick (D-Portland).
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