Call to Action on Two Urgent Legislative Issues for Better Bicycling Here in Colorado!

If you are concerned about better and safer cycling in the North Front Range, please write your state or federal legislator right now! about these two issues:

1) Bike projects in the Economic Stimulus Package
2) Banning cells phones while driving

Economic Stimulus Package

The feeding frenzy among state Departments of Transportation for economic stimulus package funding seems to be ignoring bicyclists. Really, all we need is assurance that a portion of funds allocated for bridge reconstruction, freeway interchanges, roundabouts, highway widening and resurfacing be allocated for bicycle (and pedestrian) accommodations. That means including new bike paths on new bridges or on intersections (so we aren't instructed to "dismount and walk your bike" as we now are at Harmony Road and I-25.)

Our new representative to congress from District 4, Betsy Markey, sits on the House Transportation Committee. Congressman Oberstar, from Minnesota chairs that committee and has been a friend of cyclists over the years.

So please write to Betsy Markey's office and ask her to bring this up in committee: all we want is a portion (4% is what we've had for bicycle and pedestrian enhancements over the last 16 years in the Transportation Enhancements program) for bicycles and pedestrians. Help us out, will you, Betsy! Call her office or write to her legislative aid, Marissa at Marissa.smith@mail.house.gov.

Or call her and talk with Marissa or anyone who answers - chat them up. If they get 25 calls they'll take note: (202) 225-4676.

Using Cell Phones While Driving

Our Colorado State House Representatives have drafted a bill to limit the use of cell phones by drivers in moving vehicles. House Bill 09-1094 is taking the first step to be coming a law being reviewed in the House Transportation and Energy Committee on Feb 3rd. Take action today to have your voice heard to make this a law for all of us.

1. Email the Transportation and Energy Committee:
The committee's contact information is listed below. A message with personal experiences indicating the non-partisan nature of this issue would be most effective. Include in your letter any personal stories you have regarding cell phone drivers and your reasons for support.

2. Attend the committee meeting:
House Transportation and Energy Committee on or about Feb 3rd, 2009, State Capital Bldg, Denver (Location and exact time will be announced next week along with car pooling information on the Bike Fort Collins web site.)

Here is a link to the bill drafted by Rep. Claire Levy, Dem. Boulder
Colorado State House Bill 09-1094 Concerning Wireless Telephone Prohibitions for Drivers


Members and e-mail addresses of the Transportation & Energy Committee

Alice Borodkin, aliceborodkin@aliceborodkin.com
Randy Fischer, randy.fischer.house@state.co.us
Gwyn Green, Vice Chair, gwyngreen@yahoo.com
Steve King, steve.king.house@state.co.us
Claire Levy, claire.levy.house@state.co.us
Don Marostica, don@donmarostica.com
Liane McFadyen, Committee Chair, mcfadyen2002@hotmail.com
Frank McNulty, email not available
Michael Merrifield, michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us
Diane Primavera, dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us
Joe Rice, joe.rice.house@state.co.us
Jerry Sonnenberg, jerry@electsonnenberg.com
Spencer Swalm, spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us
Glenn Vaad, glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us

Thanks for your help!

Further notes on City of Fort Collins cell phone ban: City Manager Darin Atteberry announced Jan. 22 that City employees are prohibited from using cell phones while driving except in case of an emergency. City police are exempt from the ban.

(Note that the National Safety Council has called for a similar ban on using cell phones while driving. For details click here.)

Bike Fort Collins Board Member Opposes Use of Cell Phones while Driving

Soapbox published in The Coloradoan, January 1, 2008.
By Jeff Emmel

The tragic death of fellow cyclist Erica Forney has started a grass-roots effort for a long overdue solution for inattentive driving by in-vehicle use of cell phones and communication devices.

Erica's death was not a crime against a cyclist as much as it was a crime against a little girl coming home from school, doing what little girls do. We ask you to become part of the solution as this campaign rapidly grows across our entire community.

Inattentive driving, primarily by the use of cell phones for voice and messaging, has been the leading cause of crashes on our state roads and highways for the past 10 years and is increasing in pandemic proportions. The accident danger is so great that the U.S. Department of Defense bans any use of cell phones while driving on all military bases.

Cell phone use while driving is affecting us daily and in record numbers, but it is most cruel by taking our family and friends one or two at a time. And the harshest reality, the driver usually kills others as they kill themselves. An inattentive driver struck and killed a little girl coming home from school Nov. 25 in Fort Collins. Last week, it was an entire family in Nebraska driving home to visit relatives for the holidays. A 97-year-old grandpa on his way to his birthday celebration in Boulder.

Using a cell phone while driving is a choice and is avoidable. Avoidance will be difficult because cell phone use, by design, is addictive, demands complete attention and has been drilled into our society with precision marketing. We are now faced with the perfect storm of the increasing use of attention-demanding technology, increased congestion on our roads and the primary use of the moving vehicle as an office or phone booth.

The solution starts as individuals. Give yourself a gift of not using your cell phone in your own car. Make your calls and messages before or after you are in your car. Put a short note in your outgoing greeting like, "I can't take your call right now. I am either out of the office or in my car ..." Do it for your own safety. Do it for the dad working on the road crew just ahead. Do it for the family coming the other way going to visit their friends. Do it for the little girl coming home from school.

Then give this gift to your spouse, your closest friend or your teenage driver with the words, "Because I would rather talk to you in person when you arrive home."

Then help answer the other part of the equation:

> Why do you feel you need to use your cell phone in your car?

> What would it take to keep you from using your cell phone in your car?

We are the change. Starting Jan. 20, if we are ever to recover from this economy, job losses or address the No. 1 killer on the roads in our own community, we need to work together for a sensible solution.

Decide for yourself. Visit bikefortcollins.org for a list of references, feedback and how you and your group can become part of the solution.

Read the Bike Fort Collins call to action to help educate our community.

Jeff Emmel lives in Fort Collins. He is the director of a grass-roots effort to find a solution to cell phone use in automobiles and traffic safety.

Use of Cell Phones and Cycling Safety

Bike Fort Collins has begun a campaign to educate citizens and decision makers about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving a 5,000 lb. vehicle on City streets. Have a look at their web page on the issue.

The goal is to make motorists aware of the danger they present to cyclists when distracted by their cell phone. In a "real" bike town, motorists would be aware of this. We're working on it in Fort Collins. Should city council ban the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle? Answer our poll to the left.