Home > Monthly archive - all MoBikeFed website articles

May 2021

Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation comments to FHWA regarding proposed changes to national road design guidelines

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 7:48pm

Today the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation joined thousands of organizations and individuals across Missouri and the U.S. in submitting detailed comments about problems with proposed changes to the influential Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

The MUTCD is the national guidance for all visible parts of the nation's road network--signs, stripes, lanes, crosswalks, traffic signals, and more.   The MUTCD is updated about once a decade.

The recently released draft for the 2021 MUTCD update is very problematic from the perspective of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Public comments on the proposed updates are due Friday, May 14th, 2021 and can be submitted using the official U.S. government response page here.

However, the simplest and easiest way to submit a public comment is to use the Bike League's automated comment submission form:

League of American Bicyclists automated MUTCD comment submission form

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Bill legalizing ebikes in Missouri passed by Missouri legislature, headed to Governor for signature

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 12:52pm

As ebikes exploded in popularity in Missouri and across the U.S., their legal status in Missouri has been something of a mystery.  The ebike industry in Missouri has made it a top priority to get legislation in place that matches the national standard, allowing ebike use on roads and trails, and creating three classes of ebikes.

Recently, their work paid off as the ebike legislation was passed by both the Missouri House and Senate.  The bill, SB 176, now goes to Governor Parson for his signature.  The bill is not particularly controversial and we expect Governor Parson to sign it.

What is in the ebike bill?

What is in the bill?

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ALERT: Public comments on problematic updates to major federal road design manual, the MUTCD, due Friday, May 14th

Thu, 05/13/2021 - 7:28am
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national guidance for all visible parts of the nation's road network--signs, stripes, lanes, crosswalks, bike lanes and markings, traffic signals, and more.   The MUTCD is updated about once a decade.
 
The recently released draft for the 2021 MUTCD update is very problematic from the perspective of pedestrian and bicycle transportation. Public comments on the proposed updates are due Friday, May 14th, 2021 and can be submitted here.
 
The simplest way to submit a public comment:
 
 
Many bike/ped and transportation organizations across the country are organizing to submit public comments.
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Missouri Legislature passes 12.5 cent gas tax increase, phased in over four years - headed to Gov for signature and it's done

Wed, 05/12/2021 - 6:00am

Today the Missouri Legislature passed a 12.5 per gallon fuel tax increased, to be phased in at the rate of 2.5 cents per year from 2021 to 2025.

Passage of SB 262 by the Missouri House today sends the bill to Governor Parson for a signature.  Infrastructure has been a major emphasis of Governor Parson's administration and he has indicated he will sign the bill.

Unlike previous efforts to increase the fuel tax, this proposal will not go before voters.  Once Governor Parson signs the bill, it will be a done deal.  The gas tax will increase by 2.5 cents per gallon every October until 2025.

MoDOT's funding crisis and the effort to create statewide transportation funding since 2009

Missouri's fuel tax was last raised in 1996. At 17 cents per gallon, it is currently the second lowest fuel tax in the nation--ahead of only Alaska.  Since the fuel tax is not indexed to inflation, the buying power of that 17 cents has decreased substantially since 1996.

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