[NMCycling] Fwd: HB 192 (5-Feet To Pass Bicycles) Final Vote Help

Sat Mar 16 11:22:18 MDT 2019

Jennifer,

  I will copy it to her, with your permission. Wholly agree. DP

On 3/16/2019 10:01 AM, Jennifer Buntz via Bike-racers wrote:
> All,
> We can't know how the wording of the amendment WILL be interpreted, 
> and therein lies the problem, in my opinion anyway.  I used the link 
> below to contact the Governor, and sent the message you can read if 
> you're interested(see below).
>
> https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/
>
> Happy riding everyone,
>
> Jennifer
>
> ________________________________________________________________
>
> Governor Lujan Grisham,
>
> Please consider vetoing HB192, the 5 fee to pass bicycles bill. The 
> bill was given a last minute amendment before it went to the Senate 
> Floor, which I believe transformed the bill from one that was positive 
> for bicyclists into one that could have very negative, if unintended, 
> consequences for cyclists.
> The amendment puts cyclists right to use roadways into an ill defined 
> space that is not where the State should go with regard to supporting 
> alternative forms of transportation.  The amendment states that "To 
> the extent practicable, a person shall not operate a bicycle within a 
> vehicle lane if a separate posted or painted bicycle lane or pathway 
> is provided within or adjacent to the roadway."  It is the use of the 
> word "practicable" and its ambiguity that is objectionable to cyclists 
> who routinely use roadways.
>
> Take the example of Tramway Boulevard in Albuquerque.  The 
> north-south portion of Tramway Boulevard has a path adjacent to the 
> roadway, the Tramway Recreation Trail.   While this is a fine path, it 
> is not a path dedicated to the use of bicycles. Many different users 
> can be found enjoying the Tramway Recreation Trail.  Due to the 
> variety of users, many cyclists, myself included, prefer to ride on 
> the shoulder of Tramway Boulevard.  This choice allows groups of 
> cyclists to ride together, and more importantly, avoids conflict with 
> the walkers, runners, children, dogs, rollerbladers, and slower 
> cyclists who choose the Tramway Recreation Trail. Riding the shoulder 
> makes this route much more expedient if you are a bicycle commuter 
> too.  The amendment to HB192 puts this *choice* in jeopardy, taking it 
> out of the hands of cyclists and leaving it up to the discretion of 
> law enforcement and judges.  It is also likely to add to 
> motorist/cyclist conflict.
>
> I was very disappointed that Senator Wirth and Representative Rubio 
> allowed the bill to advance to the Senate Floor with this amendment.  
> Please do not let this bill become law.  The benefit of the 5 feet to 
> pass component is not worth the difficulties that the amendment 
> creates.  Cyclists already face many barriers.  I urge you to veto 
> this bill so that another barrier is not added.
>
> I had the pleasure of meeting you twice when you were our US 
> Representative.  I traveled to Washington D. C. during the League of 
> American Bicyclists annual Washington lobbying week.  It was great to 
> meet you and I appreciated your support for transportation bills that 
> supported cycling.  I am also one of the people from Duke City 
> Wheelmen who places ghost bikes for cyclists who die while cycling.
>
> My objection to this amendment comes from years of advocacy work for 
> safer cycling.  I would welcome the opportunity to speak with someone 
> in your office about this matter, and to delve deeper into how New 
> Mexico can be made a better place for cyclists as well as other forms 
> of alternative transportation.  Cycling in New Mexico really should be 
> supported as a form of recreation and as a health promoting activity too.
>
> Although this HB192 might look good at first glance, I do not believe 
> it supports or promotes safer conditions for bicyclists in New 
> Mexico.  Thank you for considering this opinion. Please contact me if 
> you have any questions.
>
> With highest regards,
> Jennifer Buntz
>
> On Sat, Mar 16, 2019 at 9:06 AM Neil McCasland via Bike-racers 
> <bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com <mailto:bike-racers at mailman.swcp.com>> 
> wrote:
>
>     Right!   Very bad implications
>
>     Sent from my iPhone
>
>     On Mar 16, 2019, at 7:41 AM, John Vance
>     <adogapanicinapagoda at gmail.com
>     <mailto:adogapanicinapagoda at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>>     And now if they hit you, you'll be presumed at fault because you
>>     by law shouldn't have been on that road.
>>
>>     On Sat, Mar 16, 2019 at 8:35 AM Neil McCasland
>>     <neilmcc79 at gmail.com <mailto:neilmcc79 at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>>         I fear strengthening bad, aggressive, behavior by some
>>         drivers if they believe now a law says a cyclist shouldn’t be
>>         on “their” road
>>
>>         Neil McC
>>
>>         Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>         > On Mar 16, 2019, at 7:23 AM, dogunter <dogunter at gmail.com
>>         <mailto:dogunter at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>         >
>>         > The amended bill has already passed the house and will be
>>         sent along to the governor for signing. The discussion is
>>         moot at this point.
>>         > David Gunter
>>         > Santa Fe, NM
>>         >
>>
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>
>
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-- 
Porter Custom Bicycles 2909 Arno St. NE Albuquerque, NM. 505-352-1378 My World go here: WWW.PORTERBIKES.COM/

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