Bike Walk CT Urges House Get Vulnerable User Bill Over the Finish Line

Bike Walk Connecticut issued the following alert to members of the Connecticut House of Representatives on May 31, after the Senate passed SB 191 the previous night. 

Please Raise and Pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User Bill-- This Year!

With just 6 days left in the 2013 legislative session, Bike Walk Connecticut urges you to raise and pass SB 191, the Vulnerable User bill.  Now that the Senate has passed the bill, it's up to you! The cycling and pedestrian community is highly committed to seeing this bill passed this year. 

SB 191 Encourages Safety.  Safer Conditions Encourage More Cycling and Walking.  By raising awareness of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to share the road and creating penalties for reckless driving that kills or injures vulnerable users, SB 191 will create safer conditions for everyone.  Safer conditions encourage more people to get around by bike or on foot -- and that's good public policy.

Adopting SB 191 Will Make Connecticut a More Bike-Friendly State.  It's also the first order of business on Connecticut's Bicycle Friendly Report Card, issued by the League of American Bicyclists. Connecticut is becoming more bike friendly, moving up in rank from 20th place in 2012 to 18th place in 2013.  We can do better though, and we should.   

Being More Bike-Friendly is Good for Economic Development, the Environment, and Public Health. Being more bike-friendly is good for our environment, good for our health, and good for our pocketbooks.    It's also good for the state's economy.  Cycling is good for  tourism.  It's also a key ingredient in transportation-oriented development, vibrant communities and thriving, resilient commercial districts, and in attracting and retaining younger workers and the creative class who insist on realistic transportation options beyond the car.

The Fourth Time's the Charm.  This is at least the fourth year the Vulnerable User bill has come before the legislature.  Every year the bill has enjoyed broad bipartisan, bicameral support.  The Vulnerable User bill is good public policy.  Let's make this the year we pass it. 

Thank you for working together for a more bikeable, walkable Connecticut. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director
Bike Walk Connecticut