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Entries tagged: Bicycle Friendly Legislation

The Bike Month celebrations continued last week, as two more states adopted Complete Streets measures.

In Vermont, Alliance members Local Motion and the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition worked to advance and win a measure that “ensure[s] the needs of all users of VT’s transportation system — including motorists, bicyclists, public transportation users, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities — are considered in all…transportation projects.” The bill was signed in to law by Governor Peter Shumlin on May 18 (pictured above) and advocates hope its passage will elevate the reputation of the Green Mountain State.

“Among other things, this should help reverse Vermont’s declining bike-friendliness ranking from the League of American Bicyclists,” Local Motion noted on its blog. “Among the 50 states, Vermont ranked 17th when the ranking started three years ago. In 2010, we fell to 34th. This bill, along with the Safe Passing Bill last session, should boost Vermont’s ranking.”

Out in the Midwest, Missouri added to its burgeoning reputation as a Complete Streets leader, too. Last month, the Show Me State had several policies highlighted as model measures in a new analysis from the National Complete Streets Coalition — and last week advocates celebrated a complete streets resolution at the state level, as well.

“The Complete Streets Resolution, HCR 23, passed and encourages agencies to build streets in Missouri that work for everyone — motorists, cyclists, walkers, runners and those who use public transit,” Brent Hugh, director of the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, said in a press release. “We are extremely pleased with the passage of this resolution, which expresses the General Assembly’s support for Complete Streets and urges cities and agencies across Missouri to pass their own Complete Streets policies.”

That wasn’t the only progress in Missouri this session. Advocates also declared victory in long-running campaigns for:

• The Bicycle and Pedestrian Holiday Observances bill, SB 180, which officially adds Bike Week/Month and Walk to School Day/Week/Month to the state holidays calendar; and
• The educational “Same Roads-Same Rights” specialty bicycle license plate for automobile, which was given final approval by a legislative committee and should be on sale as early as this summer. (Speaking of which: Have you signed up for the Alliance Mutual Aid Call on “Fundraising with License Plates” on June 22? Register here!)

Congratulations to advocates in both states! Read more from Local Motion, VT Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition or the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.