Oregon lawmaker wants to punish people who bike without reflective clothing – UPDATED
Wear reflective clothing or be punished, says Oregon lawmaker.
Legislation
Special coverage of the 2007 Legislative Session
You can also read about the BTA’s legislative efforts on their website.
Salem Watch: School transportation bill could impact biking/walking
A bill introduced in Salem this morning, HB 3622 (PDF), is being watched by biking and walking advocates for its possible impact on school transportation funding. Authored by Rep. Betty Komp of Woodburn, the bill seeks to revise the method of calculating transportation block grants from the State School Fund distributions by allowing “district school … Read more
$25 million for bike boulevards: Highlights from Portland’s federal lobbying agenda
One of their priorities is a $1.3 million request to make SE Foster Road safer for all modes.(Photos © J. Maus) Today, Portland Mayor Sam Adams published the City’s list of federal legislative priorities. Among them are several transportation projects that include bike-related infrastructure. [As an aside, we are pleased to note that Nils Tillstrom, … Read more
PBOT-backed legislation would change speed limit authority
Portland hopes new law will lead to 20 mph limit on streets like these.(Photo © J. Maus) As we reported back in October, the City of Portland is working the legislature to gain more control over speed limits. Mayor Sam Adams is aware of the impact high speed motor vehicles have on our neighborhoods and … Read more
Another look at HB 2602, which would prohibit biking with headphones on
Should it be illegal?(Photo © J. Maus) Lost in last week’s kerfluffle about a potential ban on biking with kids, was another bill proposed in the current Oregon legislative session that deserves our attention. House Bill 2602 (text), sponsored by Representative Michael Schaufler (D-Happy Valley), would create a new traffic violation for “unsafe operation of … Read more
Rep. Jules Bailey works to amend Greenlick bill – Updated
State Representative Jules Bailey has just told us that he has been in touch with Rep. Mitch Greenlick about HB 2228, the controversial bill that would create a new Oregon law making it illegal to transport a child six years or younger on a bicycle or in a bike trailer. Bailey says that the two … Read more
Official statement on HB 2228 from Rep. Greenlick
Below is the official statement on HB 2228 that Rep. Mitch Greenlick is sending out to people who’ve contacted him about the bill. The statement was preceeded by a form email from Greenlick’s Legislative Assistant Justin Freeman: Thank you for writing to express your concerns about HB 2228. Our goal in introducing this legislation was … Read more
Greenlick child biking bill reaction roundup
Oregon House Rep. Ben Cannon has weighed in, urging people to keep reactions civil.(Photo © J. Maus) Oregon House Representative Mitch Greenlick’s idea to start a discussion about child bike safety by proposing a new law (HB 2228) that would make transporting kids six and younger by bike illegal has resulted in a massive response. … Read more
Merkley strengthens active transportation in Livable Communities Act
Senator Jeff Merkley (L).(Photo © J. Maus) Oregon’s rookie Senator Jeff Merkley continues to live up to his potential as active transportation’s greatest hope in the U.S. Senate. The Livable Communities Act (S.1619), which he introduced in the Senate back in March, passed out of a key committee yesterday and will now head to a … Read more
Blumenauer legislation would create $2 billion active transportation fund
More money for more of this.(Photo © J. Maus) Congressman Earl Blumenauer has introduced new legislation that will create a $2 billion competitive grant program for communities to promote eco-friendly transportation options. The bill, which we first reported on back in December, is now known officially as the Active Community Transportation Act of 2010. In … Read more
The BTA’s legislative wish list – UPDATED
Bringing control of speed limits to the local level is one law the BTA is considering.(Photo © J. Maus) At their Member Forum last week, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance shared a list of nine proposals they’re evaluating for the 2011 legislative session. Here’s their draft list of topics currently under consideration: Vehicular Homicide Local control … Read more
Oregon Senate, NASA scientists agree: Fewer car trips key to healthy cities
Awareness of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions is on the rise.(Photos © J. Maus) A new study by NASA and a bill passed by the Oregon Senate yesterday have at least one thing in common. They both sound the alarm that transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions (a.k.a. too many cars and trucks on the road) are harmful … Read more