UPDATE: Wrapup of 2009 legislative session

- Rep. Mike Sutherland’s Complete Streets bill would give MoDOT strong encouragement to make their roads safer for bicycling, walking, and transit users and to design roads to be safe for the young, the old, and the disabled. [Killed for 2008 due to MoDOT opposition.]

- Rep. Mike Sutherland introduced the bill adopting a specialty license plate in support of bicycling. [Alternative application method approved and signed by the Governor—we could have bicycling license plates in 12-24 months now.]

- Sen. Bill Stouffer’s Dead Red bill allows bicyclists & motorcyclists to proceed through a red light if the actuator failed to detect the vehicle. [Signed by Governor; becomes law August 28th.]

- Rep. John Burnett introduced the Safe Streets bill, higher penalties for negligent or reckless drivers who injure or kill. [Received a hearing but no further action; well positioned for next year.]

- Sen. Kurt Schaefer and Rep. Will Kraus introduced bicycle month resolutions; the Governor signed an official Bicycle Month proclamation. [Passed.]

- A controversial bill to allow much greater equestrian access to trails and public lands was strongly opposed by mountain biking and trails groups because of technical details about the way it was written. Thanks to opposition voiced by MoBikeFed and other groups and MoBikeFed’s testimony at two key hearings, the bill was re-written to remove the problematic portions. [Improved version passed and signed by Governor.]


- A bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Brown would apply only to Kansas City, Missouri, requiring vehicles there to yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and bicyclists crossing a city or neighborhood street in Kansas City. [Vetoed by Governor over important but very technical considerations; unless the veto is overridden during the Veto Session, MoBikeFed will work with Rep. Brown to overcome the technical issues and create stronger and perhaps more comprehensive legislation next year.]

Many thanks to all MoBikeFed members and supporters who wrote their elected representatives or visited the Capitol for Bicycle Day, the Katy Trail Ride with the Legislators, or helped out via your membership or financial support. Your support is bringing a level of visibility to the movement for better, safer bicycling and walking that has never before existed in Missouri.