ACTION NEEDED

Bicycle Colorado- www.BicycleColorado.org/for/BicycleSafety

February 17, 2005

Support Colorado House Bill 1218

Okay folks, we ask you to make a call in support of better bicycling only a couple times a year. Now is the time. If you want to do something fast and easy to help biking this year, this is your chance.

House Bill 1218 makes three common-sense changes:

1. Allows bicyclists to signal right turns with their right arm

2. Lets bicyclists ride side by side on shoulders and when not holding up traffic

3. Makes crosswalks safe places for people to cross roads

PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY

This Alert has very short notice so please take 2 minutes and make a call or email today. The vote may be as soon as Friday or Tuesday and is sure to be close.

ACTION NEEDED

- Call or email your Colorado House Representative (voice mails work too)

- Ask them to vote in support of House Bill 1218- sponsor Brophy

- Share this request with friends and neighbors in your district

HOW TO CALL or EMAIL

-Give them your name and address (voice mail works)

-Ask them to support House Bill 1218- because you want to improve bicycle safety

-Thank them for their attention to this issue

Your representative’s phone and email info is at www.vote-smart.org. Just enter your zip code and select “Colorado House Representative.”

TALKING POINTS

House Bill 1218:

1. Makes traffic rules simpler for motorists and bicyclists

2. Protects kids and adults trying to safely cross a street

3. Helps improve Coloradoans’ health and safety

Thanks for building support for the bill that will make Colorado’s streets friendlier for kids and adults!

Learn more about the bill at www.BicycleColorado.org/for/BicycleSafety

HOUSE BILL 1218 PASSES TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE!!

We just returned from the Legislature where the House Transportation and Energy Committee just passed HB 1218 on a 7 to 4 vote!!! (See the votes below.) Next the bill goes before the full House of Representatives.

Bill sponsor Representative Greg Brophy presented common-sense points to the committee members’ questions. There was spirited discussion regarding how laws make people safe on roads and when crossing roads.

Several bicyclists testified in support, most notably Shellie Roy. Shellie followed all the rules yet was literally run over in a crosswalk by an inattentive motorist. Shellie nearly died and has life-long medical issues as a result. Shellie was found at fault simply because she was on her bike. The motorist was not cited. Shellie is one of many good reasons why we need to pass this bill.

Next steps: Full House second reading may be this Friday, Feb. 18. Rep. Greg Brophy and co-sponsor Rep. Mike Merrifield need your help to reach all the members of the House this week!

House Transportation Committee Vote- 2/16/05

YEAS in support of HB 1218

Alice Borodkin (D)

District 9    

Arapahoe & Denver County        

Bill Cadman (R)

District 15

El Paso County

Gwyn Green (D)

District 23

Jefferson County

Matt Knoedler (R)

District 22

Jefferson County

Liane "Buffie" McFadyen (D)

District 47       

Fremont County

Jack Pommer (D)

District 11       

Boulder County           

Jim Welker (R)

District 51

Larimer County

NAYS against HB 1218

Lynn Hefley (R)

District 20

El Paso County

Mark Larson (R)

District 59

Archuleta, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan Counties     

Gary Lindstrom (D)

District 56

Eagle County 

Ann Ragsdale (D)

District 35       

Adams County

More details at www.BicycleColorado.org/for/BicycleSafety