William Kidwell
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Afton, TN
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject: Ban On Bikes In Tennessee:
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Ban On Bikes In Tennessee: our legislators at work
Times are tough folks, banks failing, businesses closing, unemployment at highs not seen in 30 years, not to mention the state of Tennessee's financial woes, so what are our venerable legislators in Nashville worrying about? Falling tax revenues, making the hard choices as to which state jobs and programs to cut? No. They are worried about a stretch of rural road way out in Davidson county, A stretch of rural road like most of the roads we ride in east Tennessee. No car/bicycle incidences on the road, but it's somehow became a "safety" issue. Come on, loosing my job is a safety issue! That's what the "best of the best" in Nashville should be worrying about, not wasting time on something that isn't an issue. You know what this boils down to don't you? Some "taxpayer" didn't like the fact that someone is riding a bicycle on their road, they might have had to slow down a whole 15 seconds to pass. After all we cyclists don't pay taxes or have driver licenses do we. This issue cannot go unanswered from the cycling community, time is of the essence since the bill will be voted on February 24! Please read the press release and contact your local state representatives (see the links at the bottom) and the two venerable public servants sponsoring the bill as to why this is a dumb idea. And, while you are at it, ask why they are not spending every hour of the salary they "earn" from taxpayer dollars making the State of Tennessee operate in the black. Hum, maybe try and attract business and industry to the state. Gee what a novel idea.
Nashville, TENN. Feb. 20th, 2009 -- Bills to ban bicycles on River Road in Davidson County (House Bill 0342 and Senate Bill 0276) are proceeding through the General Assembly. River Road is a typical state rural highway with light to moderate traffic and no paved shoulder. Walk/Bike Nashville strongly opposes any legislation that would ban bicycling from state and local roadways.
The legislation, designed to address a perceived safety issue, is unnecessary. There have been no bicycle-car crashes on this road in the last 5 years. Walk/Bike Nashville believes that current law, including the recently-adopted 3 foot passing law, which designates a safe passing zone of three feet for motor vehicles when overtaking a bicycle on a roadway, adequately addresses the safe use of our roadways by all users.
The arbitrary boundary of the Davidson County line included in the ban further reveals that the issue is not a broader one of motorist/cyclist safety.
"Our roadways have historically been public corridors open to a variety of transportation modes," said Freddie O'Connell, president of Walk/Bike Nashville. Bicycling is becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation, and bicyclists are legal users of the roadway in all 50 states. O'Connell continued, "Cyclists and motorists both need to respect the rules of the road. It's a two-way street. But Tennessee should not head down the path toward becoming a state that is unfriendly to bicyclists while many states and cities are improving accommodations for bicyclists as more people look to them as a mode of transportation."
If a ban is successful, many such roads across the state may be candidates for a ban as well. All Tennesseans favoring safe multimodal use of Tennessee roads are urged to contact their representatives and members of the House Rural Roads Subcommittee. Advocates are also encouraged to attend the subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 in Room 31 of Legislative Plaza.
Walk/Bike Nashville advocates for better road design that makes it easier for motorists and bicyclists to share the road. We strongly oppose any attempt to ban legal and responsible bicycling on our highways.
It is critical that everyone makes an effort to reach their representatives and the subcommitee representatives, regardless of where you live. We will keep you posted about future developments or you can visit the websites below.
Please contact Rep. Johnson, the subcommittee chair, at rep.phillip.johnson@capitol.tn.gov or call 741-7477.
The other subcommittee members are listed at http://www.capitol.tn.gov/House/committees/sub-rr.html
To find your own representative, visit http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/
You may also contact the sponsors of the bills::
Rep. Gary Moore at rep.gary.moore@capitol.tn.gov 741-4317
Sen. Joe Haynes at sen.joe.haynes@capitol.tn.gov 741-6679
Go to http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ to see the bill. Type in HB0342 in the "Find Legislation" search box. Please note that the original bill, HB0095 was withdrawn and reintroduced as HB0342. There has been some confusion that the bill was withdrawn and is off the table, but that is not the case. You may have to