St Charles County's proposed bicycle ban--latest developments

Sign our petition opposing the proposed St Charles County Bicycle Ban here.

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St Charles County Commissioners are planning a work session Monday, August 9th, to discuss their proposal to ban bicycles on several key roads in western St Charles County.

A delegation of local bicyclists, representatives from TrailNet, the St Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation, and other interested organizations will be at the work session to help Commissioners hammer out a plan--one that we hope will avoid the need for a bicycle ban.

The St Louis Post Dispatch posted an article today summarizing the situation:

The council is to take up the issue again at a work session Monday. After meeting with some bicycling activists, Brazil says he's open to alternatives such as imposing the ban only on more dangerous stretches of the roads or just requiring bicyclists to take special precautions in those areas.

"We're just trying to come up with the best thing, the right thing and the most effective thing to do," Brazil said. . . . 

Brazil's bill aims to bar bikes from Highways D, DD, F and Z and Highway 94 southwest of 40 as long as they lack shoulders or special bicycle lanes. In June, the state and county announced a plan to jointly fund shoulders on up to 15 miles of 94, D and DD next year; those areas would be exempt from Brazil's bill when the shoulders are finished.

Meanwhile, Councilman Jerry Daugherty, D-Portage des Sioux, wants the bill amended to also ban biking on some two-lane roads in the county's flat, farm-dotted northeast corner. He said drivers' visibility is poor during corn growing season. . . . 

Patty Vinyard, executive director of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, said parts of the roads can be dangerous but that more effective approaches would include lowering speed limits.

On the side of opponents is the Missouri Department of Transportation, which cites a state law giving its governing board control of roads built with state money.

MoDOT official Melissa Anderson said her agency has no intention of banning bicycles. She added that if the county ordinance is approved, MoDOT would consider it unenforceable. She said the state agency also would refuse to issue a permit allowing the county to post no-bike signs on state right-of-way next to the state roads.

Brazil argues that the county with its home-rule charter can impose its own rules for the roads — including a bike ban — to protect the health and safety of residents.

The article summarizes results from a recent meeting, where local bicyclists and representatives of TrailNet, the St Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, Great Rivers Greenway District, and the Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation met with Commissioner Brazil.

Attendees left that meeting optimistic that a solution can be found--but much work remains, as does the threat of a total ban.

The Riverfront Times also covered the proposed bicycle ban in a recent article.

MoBikeFed is working to help oppose the ban by gathering signatures on a petition opposing the bicycle ban and encouraging County Commissioners to work for a real and equitable solution to the problems the county faces with its roads.  

We have around 1250 signatures already, but supporters have a petition with 2500 signatures.  We'd like to match or beat that number in time for the work session Monday.

Sign the petition opposing the proposed St Charles County Bicycle Ban here.