…was passed late in the session, after being amended to reduce the maximum fine to $100 and lower the speed on the cross streets to 35 mph.

The Loudoun Sheriffs Dept. spoke strongly for the need for the bill, citing a number of accidents and even deaths in the crosswalks.

Paul Gilbert of the Regional Park Authority spoke against it, primarily worrying that there would be differing enforcement in different jurisdictions along the trail.

After the meeting Sen. Marsden, who is on the committee, and who rides on the trail, suggested that we get an amendment ready for when it crosses over, requiring all of the jurisdictions along the trail to pass ordinances, so that enforcement would be uniform along the 45 miles of trail.

…of House Transportation SubCommittee 2 unanimously this morning, but only after it had been amended to correspond with the language in Delegate Keam’s HB 2124, which reads:

The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.

I spoke in favor of the original language which inserted “motor” in front of the first vehicle. Del. Cox and several members of the committee favored the removal of “motor,” feeling that it treated ALL vehicles the same, and did not favor the bicyclists at the expense of the motorists.

Seems like a minor difference, but my concern was that this language might be used by law enforcement to ticket riders drafting in a peloton for following too closely.

Tom Bowden, who was with me, (along with Sheryl Finucane, Brantley Tyndall from the VBF Board, and Patty Kruszewski), convinced me that this was not a problem, since riders drafting in a peloton could defend against such a charge by stating that they were doing so by mutual consent, and NOT more closely than is reasonable and prudent when bicycling. I then noted my agreement with the amended language.

Riders who ride in pelotons (particularly in Hanover county) please familiarize yourself with this language (which I now think will sail right through, with Delegate Cox’s support) and this reasoning, in the event you should ever get stopped by law enforcement for following too closely.

Also note that riding more than two abreast is NEVER permitted under the code.

A long afternoon in store, with 38 bills in the Senate Transportation Committee (the Dooring bill being of the most interest to us, but also four bills restricting texting and hand held phone usage while driving, and the bill requiring cyclists on trails which cross streets at grade to stop at stop signs.

Following this committee, at 5 p.m., a House AG committee will hear four bills that will permit Sunday Hunting.

Please contact your senator before this afternoon’s meetings, which start around 1:30 PM.

SB736, the Senate’s anti-dooring bill, is on the docket for Wed. afternoon’s meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee. If your senator is on the committee, please contact them tonight, or first thing in the morning, and ask them to support SB736, “opening motor vehicle doors.”

Senate Transportation Committee Members

• Sen. Stephen D. Newman (R-Forest) Chair
• Sen. Harry Blevins (R-Chesapeake)
• Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson)
• Sen. Chuck Colgan (D-Manassas)
• Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath)
• Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington)
• Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke)
• Sen. Henry Marsh (D-Richmond)
• Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville)
• Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach)
• Sen. Phil Puckett (D-Tazewell)
• Del. Jim Scott (D-Merrifield)
• Sen. Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke)
• Sen. Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach)
• Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian)

Again, if you live in any of these senators’ districts, please write or call your senator.

Everyone else can email the whole committee.  Richmond Sunlight’s committee page has a list of email addresses to simply copy and paste into your email program.

Let’s not get doored anymore!

As of 1/23/14, we’re working on language for a new winter mask bill (HB542).

Did you know that wearing a mask in public in Virginia is illegal?  Just like in France…

There are exceptions — such as for holiday costumes or work safety gear — but a cyclist dressed for a cold commute could, technically, be charged with a Class 6 felony!  Naturally we’re concerned about this, as a discouragement to winter cycling, or an invitation for police to harass cyclists.

HB1810 would amend the current code section 18.2-422, with an exception for cold weather gear.  A team of cyclists went to discuss it with delegates at a committee meeting this morning.  Following are reports from VBF board members Michael Gilbert and Bud Vye. [continue reading…]