Bike Month and Bike to Work Week resolution introduced in Missouri General Assembly

Representative Mike Sutherland, a bicyclist himself and one of the best friends of bicycling in the Missouri General Assembly, has introduced HCR 54--a resolution recognizing May 2007 as National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month, and the week of May 14-18, 2007, as Bike to Work Week.

On April 18th, the resolution passed with House Rules Committee with a "do pass" recommendation.

Full text:

Whereas, the bicycle is a viable and environmentally sound form of transportation and an excellent form of recreation; and

Whereas, millions of Missourians will experience the joys of bicycling during the month of May through educational programs, races, commuting events, trail work days, helmet promotion, charity events, or just getting out and going for a ride; and

Whereas, Missouri's Katy Trail attracts hundreds of thousands of bicyclists each year from all 50 states and from across the globe, providing economic, health, and scenic benefits to citizens of Missouri and the world; and

Whereas, Missouri hosts four major cross-country bicycle tourism routes that attract thousands of cross-country and local bicyclists each year, including the Mississippi River/Great Rivers Trail, the American Discovery Trail, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the TransAmerica Trail; and

Whereas, the Tour of Missouri bicycle race is poised to bring hundreds of world-class athletes and thousands of bicycle tourists to Missouri September 11-16, 2007, and put Missouri's bicycling attractions and scenic countryside before a world stage; and

Whereas, these bicycling activities and attractions have great potential to have a positive impact on Missouri's economy and tourism industry and to stimulate economic development by making the state attractive to businesses and citizens who enjoy the out of doors and healthy lifestyles; and

Whereas, creating bicycle-friendly communities has been shown to improve citizens' health, well-being, and quality of life, to boost community spirit, to improve traffic safety, and to reduce pollution and congestion; and

Whereas, May has been declared National Bike Month for each of the last 45 years, and is so again in 2007; and

Whereas, the League of American Bicyclists, the Missouri Bicycle Racing Association, the Missouri Bicycle Federation, bicycle clubs, schools, parks and recreation departments, police departments, hospitals, companies and civic groups throughout Missouri will be promoting bicycling as a leisure activity as well as an environmentally-friendly alternative to the automobile during the month of May 2007; and

Whereas, the education of bicyclists and motorists as to the proper and safe operation of bicycles is important to ensure the safety and comfort of all users; and

Whereas, the Missouri Bicycle Federation, the Share the Road Safety Task Force of Kansas City, and other organizations across the state will promote bicycle safety during the month of May 2007:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby recognize the month of May 2007 as National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month, and the week of May 14-18, 2007, as Bike to Work Week; and

Be it further resolved that the General Assembly urges all who support bicycling to participate in the events planned and urges all road users to share the road safely with bicyclists.