This one’s been around awhile, but it’s always worth another look! Good infographics communicate like nothing else.

In the wake of 3 recent cyclist fatalities with no charges filed, we’ve been looking into a “vulnerable road user” law for Virginia. So we’ve been watching SB 488 in Texas very closely — recently passed by a healthy margin, with bipartisan support, in both houses of the Texas legislature. But despite such widespread support, it was vetoed by Gov. Perry last Friday.

Its success in the legislature, however, suggests that at least parts of it may be a good model for new legislation in Virginia.

Thanks to Texas Bicycle Coalition (aka Bike Texas) for being on the job.

The Columbia,  Missouri City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on June 16, which will impose penalties of $1000 or a year of jail time for harassing cyclists.   The law was modeled after similar laws in South Carolina and Colorado.

The ordinance covers anyone who:

• Throws an object at or in the direction of a cyclist,
• Threatens  a cyclist,
• Frightens or disturbs the cyclist,
• Sounds a horn with the intention to frighten or disturb a cyclist,
• Knowingly placing a cyclist in the path of physical injury, or
• Knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury for a cyclist.

The ordinance passed with plans to amend it at the July 20 City Council meeting where council members plan to amend it to  include other types of pedestrian traffic. 

More details can be found here:

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1254493.html

Join Norfolk cyclists this Friday, June 26 at 6pm for a special Critical Mass ride in memory of two local cyclists who were killed recently, with no legal consequences for their killers. Ghost bikes will be placed to mark the spots where Michael Holmes and Kevin Bragg were killed. For more information, see Wes Cheney’s blog.

Also don’t forget the Share Shore Drive Day memorial ride July 11 in Virginia Beach.