Issues for Capitol Day 2010: Complete Streets, Tour of MO,

Key issues for bicycling and walking--the main issues we will be talking about with our Missouri legislators during Bicycle & Pedestrian Day at the Capitol 2010:

• Complete Streets www.mobikefed.org/CompleteStreets
  
  “Complete Streets” are designed for all users – motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, children, the elderly, the disabled, and transit users. A growing number of Missouri cities are adopting Complete Streets policies, which are needed at both local and state levels.
  
  Ask legislators to support the forthcoming Complete Streets resolution. Thank representatives and senators for their support of Complete Streets bills in the Missouri General Assembly over the past few years--those bills and hearings have encouraged MoDOT to move in the right direction.
  
  
• MoDOT Funding www.mobikefed.org/ModotFunding
  
  The Missouri Transportation Alliance and others are working on a solution for MoDOT’s funding gap. Any new funding source should include better funding for bicycling, walking, public transit, and passenger rail.
  
  Ask your legislator to contact the Missouri Transportation Alliance and express support for these items.
  
  
• Tour of Missouri
  
  The Tour has brought unprecedented exposure and excitement to Missouri bicycling and many Missouri cites and towns. The return on investment is enormous. The Tour’s economic impact is even more important during the recession and tough budget times for the state and local communities.
  
  Ask your Representative and Senator to contact the Governor in support of the Tour.
  
  
• Safe Routes to School www.mobikefed.org/SafeRoutes
  
  The Missouri Safe Routes to School State Network is working to make it safer and easier for children to walk and bicycle to school. Addressing problems like childhood obesity, diabetes, physical safety, and transportation costs. New legislation could adjust school bus funding formulas to better encourage walking and bicycling to school and to mitigate hazards that stand in the way.
  
  Invite your legislators to join the MO Safe Routes to School Network.
  
  
• Safe Passing Law, House Bill 1250
  
  Requires motorists to move over three feet when passing bicyclists. MBPF suggests improvements to increase the distance, include pedestrians, and increase penalties.
  
  Ask your legislator to support this bill.
  
  
• High Priority Bike/Ped/ADA Projects www.mobikefed.org/HighPriority
  
  MBPF and MoDOT are partnering to identify a list of high priority bicycling, pedestrian, and ADA projects that can be added to MoDOT’s five year transportation plan.
  
  Invite your legislators to suggest high priority bike/ped/ADA projects on MoDOT routes in their district.
  
• Include Bicycles in Tax Holiday, Senate Bill 937 www.mobikefed.org/taxholiday
  
  Adds bicycle purchases to the annual back to school tax holiday, giving students another transportation option and encouraging more physical activity and better health.
  
  Ask you Senator to support the bill; ask your Representative to sponsor a similar bill in the House.
  
  
• Bike/Ped Holidays, House Bill 1691
  
  Establishes annual proclamations for events like Walk to School Day and Bike Week.
  
  Ask your legislator to support the bill.

You can help our Capitol Day 2010 efforts in two ways:

1. Attend Capitol Day and speaking with your own legislators in person.
   
   
2. If you can't attend, call or email your legislators and ask them to welcome their visitors during Bicycle/Pedestrian Day and please support bicycling and walking in Missouri.
   
   Click here to look up your Missouri legislators and find their contact info.