You can also read about the BTA’s legislative efforts on their website.
“The use of cell phones is increasing so much that we have to get a handle on it now.”— Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) After several years of trying, the Oregon Legislature has passed a law that will make the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle illegal. House bill 2377, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn … Read more
“Over reliance on automobiles can have adverse impacts on public health, both through lessened physical activity and from increased pollutants.”— from the bill’s description of the Office of Livability U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released the full text of the federal transportation bill. Calling it the “Surface … Read more
HB 2377, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Tomei that looks to strengthen laws against people who use mobile devices (texting or talking) while driving, has made it out of the Senate Rules Committee (where it was stuck last time we checked in) and is headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei Last time we checked in on HB 2377, it was on its way to easy passage on the House floor. It got through the House at the end of April by a vote of 38-22. Since then, it has had one reading in the Senate, bounced around to committees and work sessions … Read more
An exercise equipment store.(Photo © J. Maus) A bill introduced by the United States House of Representatives in April would allow Americans to spend up to $1,000 in pre-tax dollars in a “flex-spend” account for the purchase of “qualified sports and fitness expenses.” The Public Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009 (H.R. 2105, cleverly … Read more
Mary O’Donnell, shown hereat a press conference for the bill last June, lost her husband due to a careless driver.(Photos © J. Maus) At a work session of the House Judiciary Committee in Salem today, the BTA’s Vehicular Homicide Bill (HB 3399) was withdrawn from the agenda, thereby terminating its chances to become law this … Read more
Inside the House Transportation Committee.(Photos © J. Maus) As the clock ticks in Salem on the 2009 legislative session, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and other bike advocates are making last ditch efforts to make Oregon’s laws more friendly to bikes. Today in Salem, work sessions (different from public hearings in that no testimony is … Read more
“I bike and walk a lot…I’m especially careful when people are on a cell phone because their attention is obviously on someone else and not me.”–State Rep. Carolyn Tomei, sponsor of a bill to ban use of mobile devices while driving. A bill that would ban cell phones and texting while driving passed out of … Read more
Rep. Jules Bailey(Photo © J. Maus) The Portland Mercury’s Matt Davis is reporting that House Representative Jules Bailey (D-SE Portland) places blame for the demise of the Idaho Stop law on the way the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) handled the departure of Karl Rohde. In an update to a story published yesterday on the Mercury … Read more
Scott Bricker speaking at the Oregon Bike Summit today.(Photo © J. Maus) Speaking at the opening session of the Oregon Bike Summit today, Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) Executive Director Scott Bricker gave a rundown of their existing priority bills in the 2009 legislative session. With the door officially closed on Idaho Stops (interesting report about … Read more
“…they [legislators] had heard from a number of constituents who were very concerned and opposed to giving cyclists what they viewed as special rights.”–Doug Parrow, Chair of the BTA’s Legislative Committee An effort to pass the “Idaho Stop Law” in Oregon has officially ceased all forward motion. I confirmed this morning from Bicycle Transportation Alliance … Read more
“We as a society need to address and reinforce that driving and bicycling requires full concentration on the road, unfettered awareness of roadway conditions and instant attention to non-motorized roadway users.”–Jerry Norquist, in a letter to ODOT The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (OBPAC) has sent a formal letter to the Oregon Transportation Commission … Read more