Attached is a current list of bills the VBF is tracking. See other articles (below) for detailed commentary.
To check the current status of a bill click on the corresponding bill number.
Three bills related to following to close and passing cyclists (3 foot passing bill)
The VBF supports with amendments:
SB 928, Patron: Sen. Ryan T. McDougle (R) – Senate District 4
HB1683, Patron: Delegate David J. Toscano (D) – House District 57
HB2194, Patron: Delegate Adam P. Ebbin (D) – House District 49
Bills related to the use of handheld personal communications devices while operating certain vehicles including bicycles (cellphones and texting),
the VBF supports
HB1404, Patron: Delegate Algie T. Howell, Jr. (D) – House District 90
SB1351, Patron: Senator Tommie Norment (R) – Senate District 3
Bills related to traffic lights,
the VBF supports
HB1981, Patron: Delegate Thomas A. Greason (R) – House District 32
HB1991, Patron: Delegate Bill Janis (R) – House District 56 (incorporated into HB1981)
Bills related to the Reckless Driving,
the VBF supports
HB1993, Patron: Delegate Bill Janis (R) – House District 56
Bills related to permitting hunting on Sunday,
the VBF opposes
SB850, Patron: Senator J. Chapman Petersen (D) – Senate District 34
HB2442, Patron: Delegate Mark L. Keam (D) – House District 35
HB2443, Patron: Delegate Mark L. Keam (D) – House District 35
Bills related to the Route 1 Corridor,
the VBF supports, with amendments
HJ603, Patron: Delegate Scott A. Surovell (D) – House District 44
Bills related to the Transportation Infrastructure Bank,
the VBF supports with amendments
HB2527, Patron: Delegate Williams J. Howell(R) – House District 28
HB1582, Patron: Delegate John A. Cosgrove (R) – House District 78 (incorporated into HB 2527)
Bills related to general powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board
the VBF supports with amendments
HB1957, Patron: Delegate Thomas Davis Rust (R) – House District 86
SB1135, Patron: Senator Frank W. Wagner (R) – Senate District 7
Bills related to reckless cycling,
SB905, Patron: Senator R. Creigh Deeds (D) – Senate District 25
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Comments on this entry are closed.
I am inquiring why VA Bicycling Federation is against lifting the Sunday hunting prohibition. 90% of hunting in VA is on PRIVATE land, thus I do not see the conflict. The public land that allows hunting does not allow bicycling (i.e. wildlife management areas). Correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t most bicycling trails in PARKS where hunting is PROHIBITED seven days a week? I do not understand how 43 other states do not have conflicts that you fear and you expect VA would. Are VA hunters and bicyclists different that hunters and bicyclists in other states?
I understand non-hunters have a fear of being shot and do not understand how most hunting takes place. I would be happy to discuss with anyone’s concerns.
Regards,
Jeff Browning
Conservation Chair
NVC Delta Waterfowl
Hunters get six days out of seven in the woods to practice their sport during hunting season. Cyclists – especially the mountain bikers – would like to know that they, too, get a day to enjoy the beauty of our Commonwealth without fear of getting shot.
Is asking for one day to safely enjoy the woods too much to ask for?
walkman, I understand that thought, but like I said above, it is my understanding that biking and hunting do not occur in the same areas. Can you please tell me where mountain bikers mountain bike and hunting is allowed?
Also, you and I both know we dont get SIX days, most people work. So hunters AND bikers really have the weekends, except bikers have the whole weekend, hunters only half.
Do you only bike on Sunday?
FYI, I am not trying to be combative, I am really trying to understand your stance and if I can educate you on what the actual facts are when it comes to hunting. 90% of people I have talked to do not know that much about hunting.
Thanks
Jeff:
I think I understand what hunting is and how it works. I also know what damage a bullet can do when hits a person. (As a matter of fact, I have a friend who had his leg amputated after a hunter shot, blindly into the brush where he was sitting in the woods waiting for deer.)
According to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, since, 1990, 87 hunters (who, I presume, are, “educated” in gun safety) have DIED in firearm related incidents, and 920 have been injured from firearm accidents. That’s hunters shooting hunters (including themselves)!
From this data, I conclude that being out in the woods with bullets flying is dangerous and people die. Call me conservative, but I don’t want to be number 88 on the list!
Having one day of the week during hunting season where I know I’m not going to get shot at makes me feel a lot safer and for that reason, I oppose hunting on Sunday. Period.
The hunters get six days out of seven to do their thing, we – and that’s bikers, hikers, walkers, backpackers, equestrians or anyone else who enjoys the woods just as much (or more) than hunters do – get one day of peace, safety and quiet to do our thing. Is that really asking too much? I think not.
You are comparing apples to oranges. I agree there is a potential for accidents for hunters hunting on public land if one does not practice gun safety (identfy a target before firing, etc.).
My question remains, where do you bike that hunting occurs and do you only bike on Sunday during hunting Season?
How about George Washington or Jefferson National Forests.
I am by no means an expert on the GWNF, but the places I have hunted there were no where near trails. Is this the only place you can think of? To me it seems unfair to oppose hunting for potential conflict in one area of the state. I find it odd that 43 other states with much more public land than VA do not have a problem with bikers being shot off their bikes.
Besides we are talking about 8 Sundays out of the entire year.
Regardless I realize your fear, although I think it is unwarranted, and understand the odds of you supporting hunting on Sunday are slim. So would you support allowing hunting on PRIVATE land on Sundays?
Jeff, I agree with you. I am a cyclist and a hiker and I also recognize the damage to forests from deer. Anything that brings about fewer deer, I support.
Ren, I appreciate your support and understanding.
Walkman, the hunters that I have have spoken to that hunt GWNF tell me there are no hunting zones in place and that they avoid areas full of trails because they do not want their hunts disturbed by other users and also that they believe the other activities push game further in the forest where they hunt. Remember, the Forest Service and DGIF can at anytime classify areas of public land as no hunting zones, so in the end, Sunday hunting should not be a detterant for you to avoid the woods to enjoy your recreation.
Gentlemen:
I appreciate both sides of this argument. I am a mountain biker and a hunter. The bottom line is we both use the same resources (at least on public land). Mountain biking (at least 20 years ago when I started) was somewhat of an outlaw sport and hikers would turn up their noses at me when I would go by. A lot of trails were (and still are) closed to mountain biking. At the end of the day we both have common cause.
I recall about three years ago my hunting buddy and I were coming off the trail at the north end of the GW forest with our shotguns unloaded and open. Two MBers had parked next to us and the look of disgust and fear they shot towards was not very, er, inclusive. I wish hunting was a little better understood as a noble tradition, by the non-hunting multi-use crowd.
The fact was we had not seen one mountain biker back where we had been hunting. Plus, it was hunting season after all, not like it’s all year long.
Thanks for letting me put my two cents in.
Jeff