7 MAR 2005: Hearing on Bicycle Bill in MO Senate this week!

[UPDATE 23 MARCH 2005: The bill passed out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation. It will come to a vote before the full Missouri Senate about March 29th. News story here. Update here.]

Missouri Bicyclists,

The big day has finally come! We are going to have a hearing on the bicycle safety bill that we have been working on for THREE YEARS in the Missouri legislature.

The hearing is Wednesday starting at 1PM in the Missouri Senate Economic Development, Tourism and Local Government Committee.

You could really help out by contacting members of the committee. I have listed them below, sorted by area. If you happen to live in a Senator's district (or even nearby), hearing from YOU, a constituent, would really make a huge difference.

Message (in your own words):

"Please support SB 372. It will help make the roads safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and
motorists. It will help Missouri's economy by helping make Missouri more attractive to bicycle tourism."
You can email any Missouri senator here (just choose the name on the web form).

MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Greater St. Louis area
  • John Greisheimer, Chair, (573) 751-3678, Franklin, Warren, and west St. Louis county
  • Harry Kennedy, (573) 751-2126, Parts of St. Louis County and St. Louis City

    Greater Kansas City Area
  • Chris Koster, (573) 751-1430, Counties of Bates, Cass, Johnson and Vernon
  • Charles Wheeler, (573) 751-2788, Part of Jackson County
  • Yvonne Wilson, (573) 751-9758, Part of Jackson County

    Branson area
  • Larry Taylor, Vice Chair, (573) 751-9806, Counties of Barry, Lawrence, McDonald, Ozark, Stone and Taney

    Cape Girardeau area
  • Jason Crowell, (573) 751-2459, Counties of Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Mississippi, Perry and Scott

    Farmington area
  • Kevin Engler (bill sponsor), (573) 751-3455, Carter, Iron, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington and Part of Jefferson County

    Jefferson City area
  • Carl Vogel, (573) 751-2076, Callaway, Cole, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan
  • Write any senator:

    Senator's name
    State Capitol Building
    Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

    Email a senator.

    More contact info for all committee members(including fax #).
    Bill Details:
    The Senate Economic Development Committee will be particularly interested in how our bill may help tourism & economic development in Missouri. Here is how:
    • With the Katy Trail and no less than four nationally recognized cross-country bicycle routes passing through Missouri, we have the potential to be a major force in the national bicycle tourism industry

    • According to a recent study, bicycle tourism in Wisconsin represents 4-7% of Wisconsin's overall tourism income. With the Katy Trail and 5 cross-country routes (as many or more than any other state) Missouri has the potential to do this well or better. Yet we don't, because . . .

    • Missouri has developed a reputation among cross-country bicyclists who use these nationally publicized routes, as the worst and most unfriendly state for bicycling along those routes.

    • The legislation breaks no new ground at all, but simply brings Missouri "up to code" with what other states are already doing--making it clear that motorists cannot block a bicycle lane or pass unsafely, that bicyclists can ride on the shoulder (strangely enough, unclear in current MO law!), updating the definition of a bicycle.

    • These safety provisions will be a good start in educating Missouri motorists to drive more safely around bicyclists. Motorists in other states do it, so can we.
    The four cross country trails that pass through Missouri are:
    TransAmerica route
    Lewis & Clark route (Adventure Cycling)
    Mississippi River Trail
    American Discovery Trail
    Full Bill text, summaries, legislative history, etc. on the Missouri Senate web site.

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