Salem Watch: Headphone bill pulled from committee agenda

HB 2602, a bill proposed by Rep. Mike Schaufler (D-Happy Valley) that would create a new law prohibiting the use of headphones while bicycling, has been pulled from the schedule of the House Judiciary Committee. As we reported last week, the bill was slated for a public hearing tomorrow (2/10).

Our friends at Eugene Bicyclist noticed the bill had been pulled from the committee agenda and inquired to Rep. Schaufler’s office about it. They got this reply from one of Schaufler’s staffers: “I do not believe there is any momentum for this bill to move forward.”

Roger Adams in Rep. Mike Schaufler’s office confirmed for us this morning that the bill was pulled from the agenda, adding, “I do not know that it’ll be rescheduled.” Adams did not cite a specific reason the bill was pulled.

This is likely the last we’ll hear about this bill. For past coverage and feedback from the community about this law proposal, see our HB 2602 story tag.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the 2011 legislative session.

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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peejay
peejay
13 years ago

Huh? What was that? Sorry — I was rocking out for a moment there.

Jeff P
Jeff P
13 years ago

Wouldn’t mind this if they passed [and actually ENFORCED] the same rule for cars – see all too often on both modes of transport.

matt picio
13 years ago
Reply to  Jeff P

We could instead enhance and enforce the *existing* distracted driving law to be technology-independent. Oh, and base the penalties on gross vehicle weight.

jacob
jacob
13 years ago

This makes me happy, that bill was one step closer to creating a nanny state.

John Lascurettes
13 years ago

Excellent news. Thank you for the update, Jonathan.

Spiffy
Spiffy
13 years ago

glad they saw how absurd it was before it wasted any more time and money…

John I.
John I.
13 years ago

Thank goodness! I hate losing personal freedoms.

Andrew
Andrew
13 years ago

Great news! Thanks for your continued attention to this, Jonathan. Now, do I want Quasi or Mean Jeans for the ride home?

Christopher
Christopher
13 years ago

I had a conversation with another rider about this bill the other day while wearing headphones on my bike. Might have been a little rude, but I heard his every word. Hooray for volume control and the ability to look after oneself.

Nick
Nick
13 years ago

It would not have stopped me anyway.

Ridiculous for those here to judge on others who are capable of riding and listening at the same time. If you cannot fine. However I have yet to see a study that it increases your risk of injury or accident.

~n