DEAR GEORGIA BIKE LISTS,

The following is an update on the Georgia SHARE THE ROAD specialty license
plate. If you want a shorter version, please see the right column of the
www.georgiabikes.org homepage.

*Mark you calendars for Jan 3, 2006 and get out there and apply for this
plate! All that is needed to make this happen is 1,000 applications.*

**Sorry for any cross-posting that you may experience.**


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Georgia SHARE THE ROAD Specialty License Plate
(and a little race with NASCAR)
from GEORGIA BIKES! -- November 11, 2005

The Georgia SHARE THE ROAD specialty license plate is finally going to
happen... once the state receives 1,000 applications of $25 each. So let’s
make it quick and fun. Let’s turn it into a friendly, unofficial,
competition with the new NASCAR plates to be the first to the 1,000-point
line.

How do you apply for your plate?
You can apply for the Georgia SHARE THE ROAD plate starting on Tuesday,
January 3 at the local “tag office” in your county of residence (an
apply-by-mail option is in the works too). The application fee is $25. Be
sure to receive and save your receipt. This receipt can be used later as
credit toward each plate’s manufacturing fee. The fee will also be
refundable in the unlikely event that fewer than 1,000 applications are
logged by the end 2007.

Can we really get to 1,000 applications first?
Our team may be helped by the fact that NASCAR fans already have so many
opportunities to show their support of the sport and their favorite drivers.
We, on the other hand, have a number of reasons for wanting the plate beside
the obvious and direct “Share The Road” and “Thank You” messages. For
example, the plates show that cyclists own motor vehicles and that they pay
fuel and other taxes and fees. There are also lots of people who want to
support safer roadways and cycling because they have friends and family that
bike. We like to think too that there are more people who own and ride
bicycles in the state giving us a larger base.

Remember though, this is really win-win competition. Select funds from both
the SHARE THE ROAD and NASCAR plates will be directed to the Governor’s
Office Of Highway Safety for use in motorist and cyclist safety, education,
and awareness projects and programs.

How do you get your plate?
Once the 1,000 applications threshold is crossed (hopefully we will have won
the race with NASCAR), the state will begin manufacturing the plates. These
will be distributed to those county tag offices where applications were
submitted. You will have the option of getting the plate then or waiting
for your normal tag renewal date. The fees will be a one-time, $25, plate
manufacturing fee (which will be credited upon showing your application
receipt) and the annual, $25, specialty license plate fee. You are still
responsible for your standard, annual, $20, registration fee and any of your
applicable ad valorem taxes.

Where do the extra fees go?
In regards to the annual, $25, SHARE THE ROAD specialty license plate fee,
the state says that “subject to the general appropriations process, it is
the intent of the General Assembly that all such funds shall be utilized by
the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to provide for motorist and bicyclist
safety and interaction education and awareness programs and media campaigns;
adult and child bicycling safety training, workshops, and educational
materials; assistance in forming local bicycle advisory committees; law
enforcement education and implementation programs for policing by bicycle
and policing to improve bicycling conditions; and 'share the road/yield to
bicycles/bicyclists may use full lane' sign installations.” FYI for the
NASCAR plates, $14.75 of their $25 annual specialty plate fee is intended to
go to the Governors Office Of Highway Safety.

What should you do?
You should apply for your Georgia SHARE THE ROAD specialty license plate by
going to your local county tag office with your identification and $25 on
January 3, or one day soon after that. Help secure the future of this
specialty license plate. Be part of the winning team in the little race
with NASCAR. And assist in getting of these important tags out “on the
road” as soon as possible.

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Please go to www.georgiabikes.org for more information and to register
on-line for automatic updates including a forthcoming apply-by-mail option.

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Thanks for helping make Georgia great for cycling!

GEORGIA BIKES!

Are you a member? Join right now via
www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1216173



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