Join a winning team

Wanted: bicycling advocates in Newport News

Details:

• Job description: work with state and local officials to bring better bicycling conditions for Newport News and the surrounding communities.
• Qualifications: people oriented volunteers who are passionate about cycling and are willing to help further state and local advocacy objectives for bicyclists of all stripes.
• Number of positions available for immediate hire: unlimited.
• Pay: zero, but the long term rewards of leaving behind a better community are priceless.
• Contact: Bruce Drees at hrcyclist@cox.net, or call 757-647-3987

The Richmond Times Dispatch, although  having the reputation  as being one of the most conservative newspapers in Virginia,  is calling for the Richmond region to speed up the pace in becoming  bike and pedestrian friendly. 

This observation was made in commentaries on January 23 and 30th.

According to RTD  publisher, Tom Sylvestri, it’s time to, “…return to the fast lane in advancing Richmond as a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly community.” 

“That’s clear from the comments of a growing number of advocates who want the city and the entire Richmond metropolitan area to join other progressive regions in the country that have earned the reputation of being great places to ride bicycles, take walks and use scenic trails for recreation.”

“What prevents more bicycling and walking from dramatically improving the quality of our city and region is a list of obstacles that can be turned into opportunities — the absence of clear paths, safety concerns about being on the road with cars and trucks, inconsistent awareness of the “rules of the road” and regulations, bikeways or roads in poor condition as well as insufficient bike parking or storage”

“It’s time, ladies and gentlemen, for it to happen here.”

Sylvestri sights recent findings by Mayor Dwight Jones Pedestrian Bicycling and Trails Commission Report  calling for the City of Richmond to implement changes.

We couldn’t agree more.

Having been told by the Senate Transportation Committee Chair’s Aide that SB928/McDougle Three Foot Passing and Following Too Closely would be on this afternoon’s docket, I got there and learned from her that the Chairman (Senator Miller from Norfolk) had directed that the bill not be listed for today, but for next Thursday, 2/3, at the request of some of her constituents from Norfolk who intend to be present and speak to the bill, but could not be present today.

After initially not being happy at being given the run around, it may not work out too badly, since listing it this late in the session may enable it to go directly to the House Transportation Committee (should it pass the Senate) without going through Sub Committee 2, where we seem to be wearing out our welcome.

Another benefit was that I was able to leave early without staying for the entire annual slugfest (SB1191/Norment) that was in process in Senate Transportation between the Auto Dealers Assn. and the Auto Manufacturers Assn. Each year the Auto Dealers bring forward a lengthy bill to correct “discriminatory and coercive practices” they say that the Manufacturers require of the Dealers in order to keep their franchises. Top lobbyists and lawyers for each side go back and forth with what seem to be most of the auto dealers in the state present in the audience. Its a good lesson in how the system works, and a chance to watch the first string pros in action, but can get a bit lengthy and tedious.

Early this morning, a subcommittee of the House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee (a notoriously tough place to have a bill heard) heard and tabled (killed) two bills I was following:

HB1404/A.T. Howell Banning use of Handheld Personal Communications Devices while operating certain vehicles (including bicycles)

and HB1764/Crockett-Stark Requiring the riders and passengers of mopeds to wear helmets

HB1683/Toscano, three foot passing and following too closely, Failed by a 4-3 vote in House Transportation Sub-Committee 2 this morning

Now we have another chance on the Senate side, with the identical SB928/McDougle in Senate Transportation Committee at 2 p.m. tomorrow

Also in Senate Transportation tomorrow will be SB1370/Blevins requiring Rumble Strips to be installed on the side of all highways having a maximum speed limit of 55 mph or more

Also failing in House Trans Sub 2, by being referred to the Commission on Transportation Accountability for study, was HB1618/Ward which was a Newport News bill to permit any city by ordinance to ban mopeds on highways with speeds of 45 mph or higher. There was a similar bill last year in the far southwestern part of the state which also failed. VBF opposed this bill, which would have serious consequences for mopeds and could easily lead to similar bans on bicycles

In the House Transportation Committee yesterday:

HB1801/Surovell which would change the composition of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and how they are selected Failed

HB1825/Oder which changes the title of the “Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner” to “Commissioner of Highways” and makes other changes to the way the CTB operates was reported to the Full House

Passing the full House yesterday by a 75-24 vote, and now moving on to the Senate, was HB1981/Greason, which will allow motorcycles, mopeds, and bicycles to proceed through a red light that doesn’t trip for them, after waiting two full cycles, or 2 minutes, whichever comes first.

—

H.B. 1764 Mopeds; riders and passengers required to wear helmets.

Patron: Crockett-Stark

Mopeds. Requires moped riders and passengers to wear helmets.

Status: To be heard in the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Sub-Committee2 tomorrow at 7:30 a.m.

—

HB1993/Janis

Reckless driving offenses. Provides that any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of § 46.2-821 (running a stop or yield sign) or 46.2-833 (running a red light) and unintentionally causes the serious bodily injury or death of another is guilty of reckless driving.

Status: Reported out of sub-committee in the House Courts of Justice Committee

—

SB 850/Petersen Hunting; allows a person to hunt any wild bird or wild animal on Sundays.

Hunting on Sundays. Allows a person to hunt or kill any wild bird or wild animal on Sundays.

Status: In Senate Agriculture Committee, but not listed yet, next meeting Monday, 1/31

—

HB 1582/Cosgrove Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank; created.
Transportation funding; Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. Creates the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (VTIB) as a special fund to provide loans and grants to public and private entities to fund transportation projects in the Commonwealth. The special fund shall consist of revenues generated through the privatization of the Commonwealth’s ABC stores and revenues generated through a one-time drawing down of construction cash reserves by the Virginia Department of Transportation. VTIB is authorized to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $4 billion.

Status: We have asked the patron to include bicycling projects among those that are eligible for grants, but he has declined to do so.

—

HB 1957/Rust Transportation Board; powers and duties.

Powers and duties of CTB. Makes various changes to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB): (i) clarifies that local roads in counties outside the state secondary highway system are local roads, and not part of the state system; (ii) increases the limitation on contract values that the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner and the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation may let; (iii) eliminates the duty of the CTB to regulate outdoor theaters; (iv) provides for the updating of the Statewide Transportation Plan every four years (instead of five); and (v) repeals the section that allows the CTB to designate its employees as special police officers.

—

SB 1135/Wagner Transportation Board; powers and duties.

Powers and duties of CTB. Makes various changes to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB): (i) clarifies that local roads in counties outside the state secondary highway system are local roads, and not part of the state system; (ii) increases the limitation on contract values that the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner and the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation may let; (iii) eliminates the duty of the CTB to regulate outdoor theaters; (iv) provides for the updating of the Statewide Transportation Plan every four years (instead of five); and (v) repeals the section that allows the CTB to designate its employees as special police officers.

Status: Two identical bills being carried for the Administration. We have asked the patrons to insert bicycling in the list of facilities that will be included in the Statewide Transportation Plan, and they are considering doing so.