[*BCM*] Politics

[Basil Sharpe]

Thanks Nadav,

         Step 1 and step 2 done!

Basil

 

________________________________

From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Nadav Carmel
Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 3:53 PM
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] Politics

 

Changes to the traffic laws can only be made by the state legislature-
not by the governor, or the police, or the RMV.

 

Any legislator can introduce a bill. For traffic-related issues they
tend to go to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
(http://www.mass.gov/legis/comm/j22.htm) and then through the committee
process like any other bill.

 

Which is where the current Bicycle Safety Bill is. It had a hearing
before the Committee (on Public Safety and Homeland Security) in the
spring, and now all we can do is wait and check in periodically with the
sponsors.

 

It actually was passed by both houses last year, but then vetoed by the
outgoing administration, Kerry Healey specifically.

 

And this is timely (we couldn't have arranged a better plant) because we
are sending out the Action Alert below in our newsletter right now:

 


Action Alert: Help Get Bicyclist Safety Bill Out of Committee


We need your help to get the Bicyclist Safety Bill out of the Committee
on Public Safety and Homeland Security.  This is essentially the same
bill that was passed by both houses of the Legislature last December,
then vetoed by the outgoing administration, forcing us to start over.
The bill, Senate 1414, called "An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety", can
be viewed here
<http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/185/st01/st01414.htm> .

 

The key provisions of the bill are: police training on bicycle law;
clarification of how to safely pass a bicycle; clarification of how to
safely make turns in front of bicycles; "dooring" subject to ticket and
fine; riding two abreast permitted when it does not impede cars from
passing; improved enforcement of bicycle law for both motorists and
bicyclists; and additional legal protections for bicyclists who choose
to ride to the right of other traffic.

 

The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on this bill in June, and
MassBike and others testified in support of it.  Now we need the
Committee to report favorably on the bill, so that it can move to the
next step in the legislative process.  We are still a few steps away
from getting the bill passed again.

 

Here is what we need you to do:

1.  Email the co-chairs of the Public Safety Committee, Senator James
Timilty (James.Timilty at state.ma.us <mailto:James.Timilty at state.ma.us> )
and Representative Michael Costello (Rep.MichaelCostello at hou.state.ma.us
<mailto:Rep.MichaelCostello at hou.state.ma.us> ) to ask that S1414, An Act
Relative to Bicyclist Safety, be reported favorably.

2.  Call or email your state representative and your state senator and
ask each of them to contact the co-chairs of the Public Safety Committee
to say they want S1414, An Act Relative to Bicyclist Safety, reported
favorably.

Your participation counts - don't assume that everyone else will do it! 

 

Click here to find contact information for your State Representative
(called "Rep in General Court") and State Senator (called "Senate in
General Court").

http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

 

 

	-----Original Message-----
	From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org]On Behalf Of
Lee Peters
	Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 2:55 PM
	To: Boston Critical Mass
	Subject: [*BCM*] Politics

	Dear MassBike Lurkers,

	 

	Who, at the state level, determines the Mass. driving laws?
Which committees?

	 

	and

	 

	Did that bike bill ever pass?  The one making it illegal to door
a bicyclist.



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