Missouri Bicycling, Walking, Running, and Trails News

UPDATE 12 APRIL 2016: Sign the petition opposing ATVs on the Katy Trail - we'll present it to the Missouri House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem.

UPDATE 7 APRIL 2016: Today the ATVS on the Katy Trail bill PASSED its second committee vote in the House.  Next major legislative step is a vote in the full House.

Even if you previously wrote your legislators about this bill, PLEASE WRITE AGAIN NOW AS OUTLINED BELOW--your Representative needs to know that this bill is headed for the House Floor so that they can start to organize opposition. 

Your Senator needs to know there is a real chance the bill will pass the House & appear in the Senate now.

The article below has been extensively edited from its original publication and now contains updated information about HB 2047 contents, amendments, and progress through the legislative process as of 7 APRIL 2016.

We are just in the third week of Missouri's 2016 legislative session, and already we have seen a number of bills introduced that are important to people in Missouri who walk, bicycle, and use trails.

On the negative side, we are seeing proposals to:

• Require bicyclists to use a 15-foot tall safety flag (?!)
• Allow motorized users on the Katy Trail
• Ban bicycles on certain roads (not introduced yet--but we are hearing a persistent rumor a bill will be introduced soon)

On the positive side, bills are returning in 2016 to

• Increase penalties to dangerous drivers who injure or kill
• Ban texting while driving
• Require a minimum safe passing distance when motorists pass people bicycling
• Require Missouri high schools to offer Driver's Ed

Another major issue in 2016 is the state transportation funding shortfall. Missouri's dramatic underinvestment in transit, walking, and bicycling harms the ability of our communities, large and small, to compete in today's global marketplace--but all proposed solutions address highway funding only. 

Recently the City of Wildwood passed a comprehensive new anti-harassment policy protecting people who walk, bicycle, ride horses, use wheelchairs, and drive on the city's streets, sidewalks, trails, and other public spaces.

Wildwood becomes the eighth Missouri city to pass an anti-harassment policy. 

Harassment has been identified by MoBikeFed members and other people who walk and bicycle across Missouri that we have surveyed, as among their top issues. For that reason, it has become one of the top issues of our Legislative Platform.

Harassment is discouraging and frightening.  Fear of harassment and past episodes of harassment have discouraged many for bicycling, walking, and running in their communities as much as they would like to.

Wildwood's policy is an excellent example for other communities across Missouri to consider.  It takes a unique and productive approach in that it protects all users of the roads and trails equally--including drivers and occupants of motor vehicles.

File: 

wildwood-anti-harassment-ordinance-2015-11-20151112154358239.pdf

Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of posting a series of articles here that summarize the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Skills 101 curriculum.  As a League Certified Instructor (LCI #4661), I am passionate about helping cyclists develop the skills necessary to become vehicular bicyclists and use bicycles as their primary means of transportation.  

This is very personal to me.   My wife and I recently sold our home and one of our cars and are reordering our lives so that we can do this ourselves.  It’s a very exciting journey and one I’d like you to join us on.

As part of the Bike League’s Smart Cycling series, Traffic Skills 101 teaches you most everything you need to know to ride safely and with confidence in a variety of traffic situations.  It takes the mystery out of it and helps you become proficient.  What was once difficult to imagine becomes easy and fun once you master it, and Traffic Skills 101 allows you to master cycling on the roads.