This coming Tuesday, Salem lawmakers are holding a public hearing on Senate Bill 729. SB 729 is the “fixie bill” that is being proposed to clarify the legal language and shore up confusion around how the bicycle equipment requirement (ORS 815.280) should pertain to fixed-gear bicycles.
Since Ayla Holland’s seminal case last July there has been confusion in the courts and on the street about whether or not fixed-gear bicycles must have a separate hand brake.
This bill, which has been championed by Republican Senator Jason Atkinson and Portland lawyer Mark Ginsberg would add the following language to ORS 815.280 (2)(a):
“A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that enables the operator of the bicycle to stop the bicycle within 15 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement, except that a fixed gear bicycle is not required to be equipped with a separate brake.”
The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The public hearing will take place Tuesday (3/27) at 1:15 pm in room 343.
This is a very important opportunity to testify.
If you would like to join us in Salem, check out these tips about how to testify and drop me a line to organize carpools.
[For complete coverage of this issue, browse my Fixed Gear Ruling archives.]